Kathi Sue Marsh

Kathi Sue Marsh, 69, of Cedar Falls, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, at Thuesen Cottage at Western Home Communities.  She was born August 2, 1954, daughter of Herbert and Elvera (Hubbard) Drenner.  Kathi graduated from Northern University High School, then attended Hawkeye Tech where she studied to become an Executive Secretary followed by a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Upper Iowa University.  Though she worked a couple of jobs along the way, her longest tenure, by far, was with John Deere where she worked in just about every role you could imagine from Inspector to Accountant.

Kathi married Kenneth Francis Marsh on October 9, 1993, at Grace Lutheran Church in Waterloo. She had concluded and accepted that she would not ever be a mother when she met Ken. However, he brought two daughters to the marriage who had no idea that they needed Kathi as much as she needed them.  This led to a loving and beautiful maternal role and mentorship through which she firmly but lovingly taught these two daughters immeasurable life lessons. Though Kathi would render her opinion on matters, she respected the girls' right to make their own decisions; always there to walk alongside Heather and Danielle, no matter the outcome.

Kathi collected Santas with a particular love of Jim Shore's work.  She knitted and crocheted Christmas stockings for the whole family.  Kathi and Ken enjoyed their Harley trips to Sturgis and were members of the Rambling Wheels Motorcycle Club in New Hartford.  A highlight in her life was their trip to Alaska which became a reference point in many conversations thereafter.  Kathi adored Ken and peacefully let go of this life only after receiving the assurances that Danielle and her family would make sure he was cared for in her absence.

Kathi was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Heather McMinn; brothers, Jim and Duane Drenner; and sister, Pat (Monty) Groesbeck. She is survived by Ken, her beloved husband of 30 years; daughter, Danielle (Brooklyn) Hageman of Norwalk; grandsons, Tyler (Tatum) Hageman of Norwalk and Jordan Marsh and his father, James McMinn both of Kentucky; soon-to-be-born great-grandson, Tysen Roy Hageman; and many nieces and nephews who she loved as though they were her own children.

A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held from 1-4:00 pm on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Dahl-Van Hove-Schoof Funeral Home of Cedar Falls. Kathi will be buried in Hillcrest Cemetery of rural Cedar Falls near her parents and brothers.  In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Hospital or Cedar Bend Humane Society.