Kathleen Gage

Lester, IA Kathleen Gage, age 93 of Lester, IA died Sunday, Dec. 21st, 2008 at Sanford Hospital in Rock Rapids, IA. The celebration of Kathleens life will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, Dec. 26th at the Seeds of Faith United Methodist Church in Lester, with Rev. Laura Borman, officiating. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery at Lester. Visitation will be the morning of the service from 9:00 a.m. until the hour of service with family present at the Seeds of Faith United Methodist Church in Lester, IA. Kathleen was born in Sioux Center Iowa in 1915 to John and Mary Oliver, her first memory was the Armistice Day celebration following the Great War. Her Grandma Bonnema reached down and pulled her up and out of the crowd by her arm, popping it out of its socket in the process. The town Doctor was found and the shoulder socket popped back in place. All fixed up rather than go home they took little Kathleen back into the crowds where she recalls watching them burn the Kaiser in effigy. Kathleen was educated at Northern Iowa where she received her teaching degree. A kindergarten teacher she loved young children, her patience knew no bounds. Her passion to read and learn was passed to her children whose earliest memories include sitting in her lap on rainy days as she read poems from hand typed index cards. In 1942 she married Duane Gage. She never wavered in her support of Duane, always keeping the home fires burning. She returned to teaching briefly when the children were old enough and then helped run the office at Duane's business. In the sixties Kathleen, Emma Lou Tolvstad and a few other ladies formed the Pierians, a book and social club. The Pierians was a great joy of Moms; she relished the time spent with good friends discussing books and travel. It was Mom's request the Pierians all be honorary pallbearers. Although her husband Duane never traveled well Mom did. It came as no surprise to us kids when she returned from a trip to Spain with a picture of herself on a camel. Other memories include her appreciation of music and joy in singing. Her sisters Ruth and Vivian also loved to sing, sharing the special harmony reserved for sisters. The other music of note was when she and her sisters would gather around the table following a family gathering. It would start out rather quietly, some chatter followed by light laughter, always ending with them laughing hilariously, often tears coming from their eyes. Her sisters were very special to her. She, Mom , could turn a pound of pork cutlets into a culinary treat. Her scalloped corn, light and fluffy, melted in your mouth. Her apple pies always had a good crust and she made a great peach cobbler. More than her food though, we will miss her. She was always pleasant to be with and never spoke harshly of others. Even as she began to lose her memory in the last couple years she maintained her cheerfulness, never losing the twinkle in her eye or her quick sense of humor. Spending time with her was always a pleasure. More than that though, she never gave up, on anyone. May she rest in peace and sing with the angels. Kathleen is survived by her four children, Larry (Nancy) Gage of Corona, CA, Laura (Darold) Borman of Sioux Falls, SD, Karen (Jeff) Page of Lees Summit, MO, and Roy (Rose) Gage of Estherville, IA; 10 grandchildren; and many great-grandchildren; sisters, Ruth, Phyllis, and Shirley, and brother Roger. She was preceded in death by husband, Duane Gage; her parents, John and Mary Oliver; sisters, Vivian and Virginia, and brother, Jack.