Kathryn Edith Houtakker

Kathryn E. Houtakker, 78, of Cuba City, Wisconsin, died Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at home surrounded by family. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, September 5, 2009, at St. Patrick’s Church in Benton with Rev. David Flanagan officiating. Burial of the cremains will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3-7:30 p.m. Friday at Casey Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Cuba City where the parish wake service will be at 3:00 p.m. Friends may also call after 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the church. Kathryn was born on December 12, 1930, in New Diggings, the daughter of Earl and Hannah (Klahn) Hover. She married Harold Houtakker in October of 1988. Kathryn retired after 20 years from JC Penney where she worked as personnel supervisor. Kathryn graduated from Benton High School in 1948 where she was Prom Queen. She loved to dance and prepare delicious dinners for big family gatherings. She will be remembered for her quick wit, humor and indomitable spirit. Survivors include her husband, Harold; five daughters, Deborah (Mike) Carmical, of Liberty, SC, Sharon Piper, of Cedar Rapids, IA, Mary (Ralph) Decker, of Ottumwa, IA, Janice (Curt) Hammond, of Bellevue, IA, and Susan Shibley, of Washington Township, OH; three sons, Jeffrey (Camille) Piper, of Athens, AL, Andrew (Chris) Piper, of Dubuque, and Alan (Julie) Piper, of Dodgeville, WI; a sister, Phyllis (Charles) Powers, of Rockford, IL; three stepdaughters, Lou Ann (Kevin) Curtis, of Hazel Green, Rose (Bob) Harris and Mary (Kevin) Germaine, both of Benton; three stepsons, Dan (Mary Jane) Houtakker, Dennis Houtakker, and Ronny (friend Pat) Houtakker, all of Benton; fourteen grandchildren, Hannah Carmical, Kelly Hammond, Caitlyn Piper, Haley Decker, Cody Hammond, Joe Decker, Adam Piper, Sarah Hammond, Jacqueline Piper, Lee Shibley, Caroline Piper, Emma Shibley, Maggie Piper and Drew Piper; twelve step-grandchildren, Jeremy (Melissa) Houtakker, Bobby (Cory) Harris, Ben (Kelly) Houtakker, Billy Harris, Nichole Houtakker, Tracey Curtis, Brittany Harris, Kelvin Curtis, Mindy Curtis, David Germaine, Nathan Houtakker and Madison Gallagher; and three step-great-grandchildren, Adyson Houtakker, McKenzie Harris and Brennan Houtakker. She was preceded in death by her parents, an infant son, Michael Piper, and a son-in-law, Lt. Col. Lee Shibley.