Kathryn Jean (Owen) Gordon

Kathryn Jean Gordon passed away peacefully after a long hard fought battle on Wednesday, November 15, at the age of 64, at Aurora Baycare Medical Center in Green Bay, surrounded by her husband and children. Kathryn was born on October 16, 1953 in Green Bay to the late Glen and Jeanette Owen. She resided in Appleton her entire adult life.

Kathryn grew up on the family farm and attended Bonduel High School. She married the love of her life and best friend on October 12, 1973 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Appleton and they shared 44 years together. Together they raised three wonderful children.

Over the years Kathryn held many jobs, but the job she was most proud of was a stay at home mom and wife. She entered the workforce after her children were in school and was working at Pick ‘N Save Pharmacy on Calumet St. up until her illness four years ago.

Kathryn was an avid reader and a lover of Pepsi. She was known to read a good book several times, and especially enjoyed the Harry Potter and Twilight series. In her final years, Kathryn discovered the show Blue Bloods and became a huge fan and didn’t miss an episode.

Out of all the things Kathryn enjoyed the most, it was her grandbabies. She was the best grandma and nana anyone could ask for. She would spoil them rotten every chance she got and cherished the special moments she had with them.

Kathryn will be deeply missed by her loving husband, David Gordon, and their three children, Jennifer (Joseph) Roes of Appleton, James (Angela) Gordon of Navarino, and Jillian Gordon of Appleton. Kathryn is survived by her mother and father-in-law, Lois and Bob Schmidt. Grandma will be missed by her grandchildren, Kayla (Jose) Patino, Kyle Balke (special friend Morgan Martzahl), Colten Roes, and Mackenzee and Gracee Gordon. Nana will be missed by her great-grandchildren, Owen, Noah, and Abel Patino. She is further survived by her sisters, Judy (Les) Mlsna, Sue (David) Everts, Marcia (Mike) Reinicke, Sharon Pahlke, Sandy Hintz and sister-in-law, Karen (Wayne) VanderKinter. She is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Pam Jorstad (special friend Brian Marsceau), Trudi (John) Trader, Traci (Jim) Seidling, Debbie (Craig) Norman, and brother-in-law, Troy (Shawn) Gordon. She is also survived by her step brothers-in-law, Mike (Kris) Schmidt, Ron (Jill) Schmidt, and step sister-in-law, Vicki (Jim) Jansen.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, Glen and Jeanette Owen, father-in-law Francis Gordon, brothers Richard and Nathan Owen, sister, Faith Peterson, and brothers and sister-in-laws, Kim, Robin, Guy, and Karen Gordon. She was also preceded in death by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service for Kathryn will be 11:00 AM Saturday, November 18, 2017 at VALLEY FUNERAL HOME. The family will receive friends and relatives Saturday morning, at the funeral home from 9:00 AM until the time of service.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Kathy’s special friend and therapist, Sue VanAbel. Thank you for making her smile and keeping her as strong as she was the past three years. Your friendship will never be forgotten.

The family would like to thank the entire staff of Aurora Baycare Medical Center who became our hospital family the past four years. Everyone from the doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, housekeepers, dieticians, therapists, transport workers and everyone in between, showed such care and compassion to Kathy and her entire family throughout this long and difficult journey. A special thank you to Dr. Reidy and Dr. Matis and the 3rd floor ICU staff who guided us through the difficult last days.  Thank you to Dr. Coulthard, Dr. McKenna, Dr. Moreno, Nurse Molly, and Nurse Kyle for your care, compassion, and dedication for trying everything possible to get mom better. We are grateful for everything you did to help keep her here with us longer. Lastly, the family would like to thank all of the nurses and therapists at Rennes in De Pere for taking such great care of Kathy while she was there.

“A limb has fallen from the family tree. I keep hearing a voice that says, ‘Grieve not for me. Remember the best times, the laughter, the song. The good life I lived while I was strong. Continue my heritage, I’m counting on you. Keep smiling and surely the sun will shine through. My mind is at ease, my soul is at rest. Remembering all, how I truly was blessed. Continue traditions, no matter how small. Go on with your life, don’t worry about falls. I miss you all dearly, so keep up your chin. Until the day comes we’re together again’.”

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