Obituary of Kathryn Vanatta
Kathryn J. Vanatta, 64, of Port Edwards, WI, passed away January 7, 2012, surrounded by her family, at Riverview Hospital in Wisconsin Rapids, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Monday, January 9th, 5:00-7:00p.m. at Taylor, Vollert and Jennings, Wisconsin Rapids, and again on Tuesday, January 10th, 10:00a.m., preceding a memorial service at 11:00a.m. Interment will be at the Village of Port Edwards Cemetery, with a luncheon at the Mead Inn immediately to follow.
Kathy was born on October 12, 1947 in Saint Louis, Missouri to Ruby Pauline (Williams) and James Lloyd Kidd. She spent her childhood in Fulton, Missouri before moving to Washington D.C. in 1962 with her family, where she graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1965. On May 21, 1970, she married Captain Gary G. Vanatta, U.S. Army, of Tabor, Iowa, at Fort De Russy, Honolulu, Hawaii. After living in Virginia and Arizona, Kathy and Gary ultimately settled in Wisconsin in 1974 in Warrens, WI to grow cranberries and raise their three children, John, Ben and Trisha Lynn. In 1983, the family moved to Port Edwards, WI. In recent years, Kathy and Gary spent their winters in southern Florida.
Kathy had many interests and talents, and was an active member of many community organizations. She was an active member of the Republican Party, serving as Chairwoman for the Wood County Republican Party from 1989 to 1995. She enjoyed hosting political functions, participating in political conventions and campaigns, and fundraising. In 1994, she was honored by the Republican Party with an Outstanding Achievement award. Kathy was fluent in American Sign Language, and in 2005 she graduated cum laude from Northcentral Technical College with an Associate Degree in Sign Language Interpreting in Deaf Education. She was also involved with the Riverview Hospital Auxiliary, Four Seasons Lunch, Travel Class and Daughters of the American Revolution. In addition, she co?wrote two cookbooks, McCoy Maneuvers (1975), and Think Cranberries (1976). Kathy enjoyed traveling the world, interior design, sewing for her family and home, photography, and genealogy. In recent years, her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren, who she adored.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 41 years, Gary, her children, John (Wendy), Ben (Jamie) and Trisha Lynn, granddaughters Avery, Lucy, Phoebe, Summer and Ruby, grandson Jack, her siblings, Patricia Kidd Wilmore, St. Augustine, FL, and James Michael (Jennie) Kidd, Phoenix, AZ, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, countless cousins and friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, father and many other dear friends and relatives.
Kathy was a woman of substance: intelligent, funny and engaging. She will be remembered as a devoted wife and mother, beloved granny, loyal friend, gracious hostess and fan of Elvis. She will be greatly missed.
The family would like to thank the staff at Riverview Hospital for their kindness and care. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested contributions be made to the Riverview Healthcare Foundation, Wisconsin Rapids, WI.
