Kathleen Willey

Kathleen Jeanne Willey was born May 23, 1951, to Elery Park “E.P.” and Donna (Rinderknecht) Willey, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  She passed away on February 8, 2018, in Pella, Iowa. 

Kati was a 1969 graduate of Belle Plaine High School, where she was editor of the year book and participated in band.  She went on to attend the University of Northern Iowa and later graduated from Grace University in Omaha. 

Throughout her career, Kati was a nail shop owner, had a cake business, was a cosmetologist, and worked at Christian Opportunity Center in Pella.  She also sold glory beads and did some engraving. In her spare time, Kati was a porcelain doll collector and an artist.  She loved her cats.  She also enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews and “adopted” nieces and nephews; she was a God-parent to many. 

Kati was a member of United Methodist Church in Pella and enjoyed teaching bible study.

Those left to cherish her memory are her siblings: Cheryl Fuentes-Wagner of Sugar Land, Texas; and James and Becky Willey of Delhi, Iowa, nieces and nephews: Joe Fuentes (Kia Roberts) of Nottingham, England; Ana Mata (Mike Hynes) of Beaumont, CA; Katie Wagner of Seguin, Texas;  Christian Willey (Andrea) of Manchester, Iowa; Jackee Austerman (Shane) of Mount Vernon, Iowa; and Tyler Willey (Emily Adams) of Eagan Minnesota; great nieces and nephews:  Juliette Fuentes, Houston Mata, Mikey Hynes, Isabelle Willey, Wyatt Willey, Isaiah Austerman, and Elizabeth Austerman; and many additional relatives and dear friends.

Kati was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents. 

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