Kathryn DeVore Rees, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on April 1, 2024, with her husband of over 65 years at her side. Kathy was born on the 31st of May 1937, the daughter of Roy and Marie (Nicolls) Welterlen of Manchester. She graduated from Manchester High School in 1955 and graduated from Presbyterian – St Luke’s Nursing School in Chicago. While there a young sailor (Gary Rees), stationed at the Naval Station in Great Lakes, met her on a blind date. As the saying goes – the rest is history.
Kathy married that sailor on the 12th of October 1958. That started a 65-year adventure that included living under various conditions in such places as the Philippines, Taiwan, Wales, and San Diego, as well as traveling around the world. Gary was an enlisted man when they married, and they were basically broke most of the next five years. After four years at the University of Missouri, Gary was commissioned an Ensign in the Navy on the same day President Kennedy was killed. Gary was a submariner his entire Naval Career. During Gary’s command tours, she was the “Captain’s Wife” with many interesting challenges. Without her constant love and support, that great career would not have happened.
Two children were born to the couple, Brian and Anne. They have two grandchildren, Nathan and Audra Rees. Kathy was an active member of the PEO sisterhood for over 65 years. She was baptized and married in the
First Presbyterian Church in Manchester and was active in her church her entire life. She has been a vital member of the Manchester Planning and Zoning Committee for several years and volunteered in the local elementary school.
Survivors include her husband, Gary Rees; her two children, Brian (Leonora Sanchez-Rees) Rees of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Anne Holman of Garland, Texas; two grandchildren, Nathan and Andra Rees; a brother, Craig (Judy) Welterlen of Waynesboro, Pennsylvania; many nieces and nephews; and many friends.
Kathy was preceded in death by her parents and her son-in-law, Morris Holmon.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to the Regional Medical Center or First Presbyterian Church.
Online condolences may be sent to www.leonard-mullerfh.com.
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 5, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church in Manchester, Iowa, with Rev. Nathan Lamb officiating.
Visitation: 3:00- 6:00 p.m., Thursday, April 4, 2024, at Leonard-Muller Funeral Home in Manchester, Iowa.
Private Family Inurnment: Oakland Cemetery-Manchester, Iowa
