Katherine Ann Smidt, 91, formerly of Shenandoah, Iowa, died Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, at The Kensington, Fort Madison, Iowa.
Katherine was born Oct. 23, 1932, in Lewiston, Neb., the daughter of James and Sarah (McCoy) Kinghorn. Katherine’s mother died when she was 6, and James married Laura Bockelman Kilpatrick in 1941.
Katherine graduated from Lewiston High School in 1950 and was valedictorian of her class. She received a teaching certificate from Peru State College and taught one year at the rural school at Holmesville, Neb.
On May 18, 1952, Katherine married Leon Smidt of Crab Orchard, Neb., who was her high school sweetheart. They were married 52 years, until Leon’s death in 2004.
Leon worked a long career with Earl May Seed & Nursery, and the couple lived in the Nebraska towns of Beatrice, Fremont, Columbus, Hastings and Omaha before moving to the corporate headquarters in Shenandoah in 1969. Katherine also worked part-time for Earl May in Shenandoah. Katherine and Leon enjoyed many trips, both foreign and domestic, as a reward for Leon’s work. And Katherine loved to visit her siblings in Nebraska and Wyoming, and eventually Arizona.
Katherine was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Shenandoah and directed the bell choir for many years. Katherine loved to play the piano, accompanying Leon as he sang Christmas carols, and she played the piano right up until her death.
Survivors include: a brother, James Kinghorn of Lewiston, Neb.; a sister-in-law, Pat Kinghorn of Grand Island, Neb.; a half-brother, Gary Kinghorn; a son, Bruce and wife Jennifer of Casper, Wyo., and a son, Mark and his wife Barbara of Keokuk, Iowa; and grandchildren Melissa Davidson of Boise, Idaho; Emily Cooper of Liberty Lake, Wash.; Jamie Fowler of Shenandoah, Fred Smidt of Casper and Kylie Cestnik of Casper; and Laura Jass of Ankeny, Iowa, and Nicholas Smidt of Keokuk, Iowa.
She was preceded in death by: her parents and step-mother; her brother, Fred Kinghorn of Morrill, Neb., and sister, Shirley Lineweber of Casper, Wyo.; and a daughter, Pamela Kay Tinley, of Lander, Wyo.
Katherine has been cremated and her ashes will be buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Shenandoah. No services are planned.
