Katherine Gelbowitz

Katharine Gelbowitz, daughter of Jakob Mayer and Karolina Stiegelmar Mayer, was born March 18, 1931 in Surtchin, Yugoslavia and died March 10, 2005 at her home in Perry, Iowa at the age of 73 years, 11 months and 22 days. Kathy, as she was fondly known, attended school in Yugoslavia. On April 26, 1952, she married Peter Gelbowitz in a displaced persons camp in Stadl, Paura, Austria. In June of 1955, Kathy, Peter and daughters Josefine and Karoline left Austria and arrived in Perry, Iowa July 14, 1955 . Kathy and Peter later became parents of Peter Jr., JoAnn; Richard and Linda. She became a U.S. citizen in 1976. Peter died August 20, 1994 and Kathy continued to live in their home on Willis Avenue. Kathy enjoyed her home, gardening, arts and crafts, ceramics and especially loved her flowers. She had been a very active member of the Women of the Moose. Kathy was preceded in death by her husband; her father and her two brothers: Jakob and Adam. She is survived by her mother Karolina Mayer of Perry, Iowa; two sons Peter and his wife Debbie; and Richard and his wife Sarah, all of Perry, Iowa; four daughters: Josefine Vodenik and her husband Larry; Karoline Adams and her husband Bill, all of Perry, Iowa; JoAnn Nicolaisen and her husband Jim of Daingerfield, Texas; and Linda Gelbowitz with Tye Dugan of Omaha, Nebraska; eight grandchildren: Jodie Gratias and her husband Craig ; Josef Reed; Josiah Vodenik; Jerry Adams; Christy Motz and her husband David; April Gelbowitz; Stephanie Gelbowitz and Andrew Gelbowitz; five great grandchildren: Katie, Mercedes, Tyler, and Mason Gratias and Hudson Motz; four nieces in Canada; other relatives and friends. No matter how far the distance a family member lived, they were always close to her heart.