Published: October 05, 2008 12:40 pm      

Katherine “Katie” Vermedahl

VINTON, IA — Katherine “Katie” Vermedahl, 85, a lifelong resident of Vinton, died Friday, Oct. 3, 2008, at her home due to heart disease.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday in Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church in Vinton with Pastor Mark C. Urlaub officiating.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton. Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery, Vinton.

Katherine was born March 9, 1923, in Vinton, Iowa, to Ivar August and Amy Hildegard Svensson Skoog. She attended country school and was very proud to be a member of the graduating class of 1940 from Vinton’s Lincoln High School.

She married Harry Leonard Peterson Oct. 9, 1946. He preceded her in death Sept. 21, 1962.

On July 18, 1965, Katherine was united in marriage with Joe Vermedahl in Vinton. He preceded her in death Sept. 25, 1996.

Katherine worked for one year as a secretary for attorney Hugh Mossman. She worked for 42 years as the secretary to the Board of Education for Vinton Schools. She was also employed as a bookkeeper at Three Rivers Insurance in Vinton for 30 years.

Katherine was a lifelong member of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was the church organist for 50 years, as well as the Treasurer for Bethlehem Lutheran Women.

Katherine was a member of P.E.O. She enjoyed playing Yahtzee, Farkle and cards at HACAP, flowers and gardening, bird-watching, crocheting and dining out. She was a big fan of Ole and Lena jokes. She also loved music and played the violin.

She is survived by two stepsons: Joe Vermedahl and wife, Vicki, of Duncan, and Dave Vermedahl and wife, Lisa, of Vinton; six grandchildren: Aaron Vermedal, and Erik Vermedahl and wife, Melanie, of Okla., Matthew Vermedahl of New York City, Emily Hollibaugh and husband, Stan, of Houston, Texas, Zach Vermedahl and wife, Geannette of Vinton, and Elizabeth Vermedahl of Madison, Wis.; and four great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Leland Skoog; and one sister, Leona Gardner.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church Building Fund.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home is caring for Katherine and her family. Online condolences may be made at www.russellfh.com.