Kathryn (Katy) Agnes Harthan

Kathryn Agnes Harthan, 89, passed away Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 3801 Grand Assisted Living Facility. Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., with a rosary service at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 6 at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, April 7 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines. Born in Hankinson, North Dakota, on November 25, 1926, Katy was the eldest of five children. While still a young child, her parents Francis (Frank) Scheller and Emelia (Molly) Weinkauf Scheller moved to a farm near Wadena, Minnesota. Growing up she worked on the farm and helped with the dairy cows they raised. Shortly after WW II, she married Elmer H. Irish of rural Wadena, Minnesota, and they had four children. After their marriage of 20 years dissolved, she met and married the love of her life, Gordon Gale Harthan and in the late 1960s, they moved to the Des Moines, Iowa, area where Gordy started a practice as a chiropractor. She had many "careers" in her life. In her late 30's, she took a correspondence class in millinery (hat making), which culminated in ownership of her own fabric and millinery store in downtown Wadena. That segued into retail as a women's ready-to-wear store manager, banking, and eventually as an insurance agent before she retired at age 76. Those who knew her best, would probably describe her as feisty, spunky, and determined, with a great sense of humor. She had a joke for everyone. She loved to bake, can vegetables from her own garden, sew, and, she crocheted over 400 afghans, 50 of which she gave to patients at the Alzheimer's facility near her home where she retired in West Des Moines, Iowa. She was brought up in the Catholic religion and continued to follow her faith throughout her life. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gordon Harthan and sister, Betty Brockob (Don). Katy was dearly loved by her children, Connie Irish-Hess (Ken) of Carmel, California; Randee Irish of Mandan, North Dakota; Joe Irish (Jeanne) of Glyndon, North Dakota; and Kelly Harthan (Susan) of Pleasant Hill, Iowa. She loved her four grandchildren, Amber Hess Mehta (Agustya) of Mountain View, California; Kelsey Irish Polk (Patrick), and Zachery Irish both of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Ryan Harthan of Pleasant Hill, Iowa. Katy is survived by three of her four siblings, Frank Scheller (Barbara) of Verndale, Minnesota; Jim Sheller (Barb) of Bertha, Minnesota; and Pat Schwartz (Alvin) of Wadena, Minnesota. Katys eldest granddaughter, Amber, gave birth to her first child (Katys great grandson), Ambrose Mehta this Easter Sunday. She was auntie to many nieces and nephews and great-grandma to two step great grandchildren. Many thanks to Suncrest Hospice and 3801 Grand, the Assisted Living Facility where she lived for their kindness to Katy and her family. Memorial contributions may be made to Suncrest Hospice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.caldwellparrish.com.