Kathryn Ann “Kathy” Wemette

1942-2020

Kathryn Ann “Kathy” Wemette 77, of Keokuk, IA died Friday, January 10, 2020 at
UnityPoint Health-Keokuk.
She was born May 14, 1942 in Toledo, IA the daughter of Hugo and Helen Bernatz Joens.
Kathy graduated from Toledo Public High School with the Class of 1960, then furthered her
education at the State College of Iowa (University of Northern Iowa) where she received her
Bachelor of Arts degree.
On June 1, 1968 she was united in marriage to Thomas Wemette at St Patrick’s Church in
Tama, Iowa. He preceded her in death on November 12, 2006.
She had been employed as a high school social history teacher before becoming a
homemaker. Although she stopped teaching, she was a lifelong student of history and loved
learning through experiences.
Kathy was a member of The Church of All Saints in Keokuk and was actively involved in
the Religious Education and other church programs. She was also an active member of multiple
Keokuk High School booster programs and was involved with fund raising and working
sporting events. Those who attended Keokuk Football games during the 1990s would know
Kathy as the “Keokuk Cart Lady” where she proudly sold Keokuk apparel. She served on the
Lee County Historical Society Board for over twenty years, where she managed the Miller
House and worked the annual Civil War reenactment. Kathy was always willing to volunteer,
and participated in a Mother’s Study Club, Relay for Life, Girl Scouts, and Little Feathers.
Kathy faithfully supported many community programs over several decades.
Throughout her life, Kathy enjoyed traveling nationwide. She never missed an opportunity
to take off on an adventure with her beloved friend, Joyce Sapp. She also enjoyed watching
sports and was an avid Iowa Hawkeye, Chicago Cubs and Green Bay Packers fan. Friends and
family knew her to be a bit competitive regarding sports and card games. Kathy adored her four
grandchildren and was an enthusiastic fan of all their school and sport activities. She had a zest
for life and filled each day with love, laughter, and memories to treasure.
She is survived by: one daughter, Nicole Nemecek (Bryan) of Keokuk, IA; one son, Mark
Wemette (Jessica) of Fairfax, VA; four grandchildren, Thomas Nemecek, Zachary Nemecek,

Lissa Nemecek, and Avery Kathryn Wemette; in-laws, Bob Wemette (Bev) of Alma, WS, Mary
Strangstalien of Westby, WS, and Pat Daniel (Bruce) of Belvidere, IL; and many nieces and
nephews.
Besides her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Jerrie Kueny
and many brothers and sisters-in-law.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, at The Church of All
Saints with Reverend David Brownfield, Ph.D. officiating. Burial will be in the Hickory Grove
Cemetery in Keokuk.
Visitation will be held after 3 p.m., Tuesday, with family meeting with friends from 6-8 p.m.
at the Vigen Memorial Home in Keokuk. A Christian Vigil will be held at 8:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to the Grand Theatre or The Church of All Saints.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com