ROCHESTER — Kathryn Grace Van Duyne Rentschler, 88, Rochester, went to be with our Lord in Heaven at 12:06 a.m. Saturday, March 13, 2010, at Hickory Creek of Rochester.
A lifetime resident of Fulton County, Kathryn was born on Aug. 12, 1921 in the Mount Zion community to Frank and Nellie Grace Shelton Van Duyne who both preceded.
On Feb. 2, 1945 she and her best friend William Adam Rentschler solemnized their wedding vows. Their union spanned 34 years till his passing on April 1, 1979. Together they had four children: Donna, Hank, William and Jackie Lee, who preceded at age 3.
Kathryn was one of nine children enjoying the company of three sisters and five brothers. As a student she attended Woodrow School. Growing up she learned many domestic responsibilities from her mother. Later as a homemaker, she employed many culinary techniques. Kathryn enjoyed cooking, baking pies, cookies and cakes for her family and special friends to enjoy. You never left her home without her sharing a special homemade treat.
Always working with her hands, she created custom knitted afghans for her family. Kathryn was a devoted member of Fulton Baptist Temple, Order of the Eastern Star, and the Women’s Auxillary of the Moose, Eagles and VFW.
To relax Kathryn enjoyed playing solitaire, bingo and euchre. Always on the move she loved going on road trips with her family. As the matriarch of the family, she is remembered as being kind and loving, doing anything of anyone, being satisfied to feel she was of help. Grandma Kathryn loved her seven grandchildren and the seven great-grandchildren. It was a joy for her to share their company and nurture them, watching them as they grew up. Nothing was better than lighting up the room with the four generations as they shared family celebrations and holiday traditions.
Kathryn is survived by a daughter, Donna VanMeter and husband Dean, Kewanna; two sons, Henry Adam Rentschler and wife Cindy, Rochester, and William Allan Rentschler and wife Jane, Fort Wayne; seven grandchildren, Lora, Colleen and Christine Rentschler, all of Rochester, Scott and Kathy Rentschler, both of Fort Wayne, and Julie Oberg and Carrie Craig of Rochester; seven great-grandchildren, Tierney and Tori Rentschler, Luca Santella, Dakota Hayden, Blake Oberg and twins Isaac and Alex Craig.
Kathryn was welcome to Heaven by her many friends and family including her parents; husband, William; her infant son, Jackie Lee; three sisters, Lucille Macy, Mary Zimmerman and Mae Crill; and five brothers, Fred, Don, Joe, Bob and Virgil Van Duyne.
A celebration of the life of Kathryn Grace Van Duyne Rentschler will be at 2 p.m. today in Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St. (Ind. 14 West), Rochester, with. Pastor Bruce Russell officiating.
Family and close friends may visit from noon until 2 p.m. in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Fulton Cemetery.
Preferred memorials may be made to Hickory Creek of Rochester or Fulton Baptist Temple . Envelopes are available at the funeral home.
Electronic expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at goodfamily@rtcol.com.
