Katherine Pitney

By News Team
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Wed, Aug 15th, 2012
Posted in Preston Obituaries

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Katherine Beatrix Kailey Pitney died August 7, 2012 at The Nebraska Masonic Home in Plattsmouth, Nebraska. She was born on August 8, 1923 at the Willows Maternity Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. George and Ethel Wisecarver Kailey, longtime residents of Red Cloud, Nebraska adopted Katherine on October 26, 1923 just 80 days after she was born. Seventy Five years later after an extensive search she was able to locate her biological family in Preston, Minnesota and was united with her half sister, Donna Mae Kulsrude Mandelko and the rest of her new family. It was a very special time for Mom to meet her new relatives and be able to connect with them for the next 14 years.

Mrs. Pitney was a graduate of Red Cloud High School with the class of 1941, which was the largest graduating class of RCHS. In May of 1941 she married her childhood sweetheart, Phil Pitney.

She was preceded in death by Phil, her husband of 67 years, who passed away March 2008, her parents George Kailey and Ethel Wiscarver Kailey, her brother, George Robert (Rod) Kailey, her biological mother, Ida H. Kulsude and her half brother, Robert L. Hahn.

Mrs. Pitney is survived by son, Roger Pitney and his wife, Gloria, of Greensboro, N.C.; son, Mark Pitney and his wife, Sandy, of Raleigh, N.C.; daughter, Janice Pitney of Raleigh, N.C. and daughter, Susie Baker and her husband, Bruce, of Hastings, Nebraska.

She is also survived by eight grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Also is survived by her half sister, Donna Mandelko of Minnesota.

Over the years in Hastings and Red Cloud, Nebraska, Mom and Dad had thirteen exchange students living with them from all over the world. These young men married and brought their families back many times over the years to meet their American parents.

One of Mom’s wishes was to be remembered as being kind and thoughtful and for everyone to know that she gave her love and joy to all she met and she treasured those friendships. Anytime Mom met anyone on the street or in an elevator she would always tell them to smile, it’s a beautiful day and when you smile everyone you meet will smile back. Throughout her life she made so many friends and she was always giving family and friends “Snicker Doodle Cookies” to make a happy day, no telling how many cookies were baked or how many people smiled because of Mom. For her family and friends left behind she will be dearly missed but we will always have the love and fond memories of Mom. Katherine’s final prayer was sending love and thankfulness for her family and friends. We miss you Mom but know you are happy again in Paradise.

Services for Phil and Katherine will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Red Cloud, Nebraska with interment of Mom and Dad together at the Red Cloud Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family request that Memorial contributions be made to The Nebraska

Masonic Home, 1300 Avenue D, Plattsmouth, Nebraska 68048. The NEMH provided so much love and care for Mom through out her stay at the Home.

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