The Cowsmo team would like to send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Kathy.
On March 10, 1950 Arthur “Buck” and Jean (Hughes) Whitted welcomed their first child, a pretty little girl that they named Kathleen Valgene. Kathy grew up on a farm and become involved with 4-H showing Milking Shorthorn cattle and also sewing projects at the area fairs. Kathy possessed an artsy talent which included painting, ceramics, hand work and making a custom birthday cake for the celebrant. Kathy loved her dogs, the Milking Shorthorn breed and coins. Kathleen attended the LaPlace and Cerro Gordo United Methodist Churches.
Kathy graduated from Cerro Gordo High school in 1968 and her career path led her to nursing. She attended the Decatur Memorial School of Nursing where she received her credentials as a registered nurse. Kathleen worked many years in the St Mary’s ER, spent time as an RN at the Johnson County Hospital in Buffalo, WY, moved back to Illinois and served as an RN in the ER at DMH and started her final leg in nursing when the cardiac unit at DMH was opened. Kathleen retired from active nursing in 2015. Kathy was involved in the Cerro Gordo American Legion Auxiliary Unit 117, the Illinois Milking Shorthorn Society and other organizations that she championed.
Kathy is survived by the light of her life, her son Wade of Cerro Gordo. Her sisters Mary (Terry) Reeves of Oakley, Vicki Mercer of Cerro Gordo and Louanne (Curt) Krause of Como, TX. Kathy loved and spoiled her nieces and nephews: Christina (Mercer) Stock, Jerod Mercer, Trent and Matthew Reeves, Clayton, Theresa, Mikayla and Elise Krause. In addition, Great Aunt Kathy was pretty smittened with Taylar and Mikenzie Mercer, Grady Stock, Levi and Laci Reeves. She loved keeping up with all their activities.
Kathleen shed her worldly body on September 21, 2022 at the age of 72. Kathy was welcomed into heaven by her parents, Buck and Jean Whitted, her grandparents, Herb and Lou Whitted and Earl and Valgene Hughes, and her brother-in-law, Mike Mercer along with other very dear family members and friends. A Celebration of Life to honor Kathleen will be held on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at the Cerro Gordo American Legion Post located at 220 E Wait Street, Cerro Gordo from 4 to 8 PM. Finger foods will be served and casual dress is most appropriate.