Kathleen J. "Katy" Wright

Kathleen Jeanette “Katy” (Vorwald) Wright, age 67, of Savanna, Illinois died peacefully at home on Monday, February 27, 2012 surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 3, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church, Savanna, with Reverend Larry Thompson officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday, March 2, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church. A memorial in Katy’s name has been established.
Katy was born August 8, 1944 in Garber, Iowa, the daughter of Miriam (Phares) and Haldane Vorwald. She graduated from Elkader High School, Elkader, Iowa in 1962. Katy married her high school sweetheart, Bill Wright on November 30, 1963. Katy graduated with a B.S. Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Dubuque and later earned her M.A. from Western Illinois University.
Katy grew up in a large family and learned to love being with children. She loved her girls, grandchildren, friends’ and relatives’ children and her students. Her motto was to “teach them with love.” Katy believed that “learning should be fun.” She had the gift of making each child feel that they were her “favorite.”
Katy taught second graders for 27 years in the Savanna School District. During that time she served on many committees, was inducted into the “Who’s Who Among American Teachers four times, received The Quad City Area Best Teacher Award and the Savanna Golden Apple Award. Katy’s goal was to help make a difference in children’s lives. She accomplished this with a positive attitude and a big smile for everyone.
Katy belonged to the First United Methodist Church in Savanna, various committees within the Church, Jr. Woman’s Club, Beta Sigma Phi, Phi Delta Kappa and Delta Kappa Gamma.
Katy enjoyed and loved her family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed reading, traveling, dining out, dancing, water aerobics, Book Club, her Beta Sigma Phi sisters, teacher friends, friends, shopping and people in general. Katy would like to be remembered as a good wife, mother, grandmother, and teacher to her many Savanna students.
Katy is survived by her loving husband and best friend, Bill; three daughters, Darcy (Phil) Callahan of St. Louis, MO, Carmen (Dan) Holcomb of Highland, IL and Bethany (Kevin) Connor of Naperville, IL; nine grandchildren, Andrew, Tate and Quinn Callahan, Patrick, Owen and Luke Holcomb, Lily Marino (Kristen and Joe) and Claire and Kate Connor. She is also survived by her mother, Miriam Vorwald of Guttenberg, IA; eight sisters, Mary Willford of Dubuque, IA, Janet (Marvin) Rolfes of Colesburg, IA, Barbara (Roger) Bear of Clemmons, NC, Patty (Mark) Larson of Burnsville, MN, Cindy (Jim) Johnson of Guttenburg, IA, Janie (Dave) Moose of Farmersburg, IA, Jennifer (Gary) Schroeder of Garber, IA, Jerilyn (Bill) Vincent of Cedar Rapids, IA; one brother, Jeff (Ross) Long-Vorwald of San Fransisco, CA; and one brother in-law, Roger (RoseLee) Wright, plus many nieces and nephews; each one her “favorite.”
Katy is preceded in death by her daughter Rachel; her father, Haldane Vorwald; and her father in-law and mother in-law, V.C. and Ameta Wright.