Ralph John Kathol
Hartington — Ralph John Kathol, 89, Hartington, died March 19, 2007, at his residence.
Visitation will be Wednesday, from 1-5:30 p.m., with a 2 p.m. rosary at the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington. Visitation continues at Holy Trinity Catholic Church Wednesday evening with a Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be March 22, at 10:30 a.m., at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Hartington, with the Rev. John Pietramale officiating.
Burial will be at St. Michael’s cemetery, Hartington.
Pallbearers will be Thad Kaiser, Greg Kathol, Jeff Kathol, Patrick Rooney, Andrea Kathol and Jay Kathol.
Ralph John Kathol was born Feb. 27, 1918, in Hartington, to Lorenz and Anna (Burbach) Kathol. He married Ursula Heimes Jan. 3, 1940, in Bow Valley. He was a lifetime resident of Hartington, where he and his wife raised their children on the family farm, southeast of Hartington. In addition to his family commitment, he dedicated his energy and resources to his church and the Cedar County Catholic Schools.
He was an active member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus and the Holy Trinity/Cedar County Catholic Schools. These organizations were his passion and life commitment.
Ralph appreciated the care and concern everyone had for him and wrote this message prior to his death, “Thank you to the people of Hartington, teens and adults for your kindness to me, as I grew older.”
Survivors include his wife, Ursula, of 67 years; 12 children and spouses, Vic and Lorraine Kathol, Sutton; Phyllis Patton, Phoenix, Ariz.; Connie and Jerry Kaiser, Billings, Mont.; Thomas Kathol, Atlantic, Iowa; Cliff and Pam Kathol, Council Bluffs, Iowa; Max and Essie Kathol, Wayne; Glenn and Rosemary Kathol, Hartington; Ruth Browne, Akron, Ohio; Mary and Chuck Reece, Dallas, Texas; Kelly and Josephina Kathol, Los Angeles, Calif.; Carrie and Steve Heine, Bow Valley; and Carla and Jim Rooney, Liberty, Mo.; one brother, Don, and wife, Grace Mary Kathol; three sisters, Lavina Moore, Marjorie Barna and Vera and Don Schettler; four sisters-in-law, Lavern Sassan, Jeanette Heimes, Eunice Heimes and Marie Heimes 36 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren.
Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, Lorenz and Anna Kathol; infant son, Joseph; granddaughter, Mary Beth Kerkman; brothers, Cletus and Jim; 11 brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law.