Kathryn Eileen Assell

Kathryn Eileen Assell, 67, of St. Joseph, passed away, Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at Lakeland Medical Center – St. Joseph. Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 10:30 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 220 Church St., St. Joseph, with Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester, New York, officiating. Burial will follow the service at Riverview Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Friday, February 2, 2018 from 3:30 PM until 6 PM with a prayer service beginning at 6 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Memorial Hospital or Marie Yeager Cancer Center. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Kathryn was born on September 5, 1950 in Lombard, IL, to James & Betty (Dockery) Larson. She attended both Lombard East High School and Willowbrook High School in Villa Park, IL. She also attended Western Ill. University.  On October 4, 1975, Kathryn married the love of her life, Larry Assell, in Aurora, IL. and they were happily married for forty-two years.  Kathryn was a very caring and nurturing woman, this was abundantly displayed by her years of dedication to volunteering for the University of Vermont’s Children’s Hospital and being recognized by the Diocese of Burlington Catholic Women in Ministry as a “light to the world and salt of the earth”.   In 2005 she was also named “Volunteer of the Week” in Burlington, Vermont.  She was a Sunday School Teacher while her children were attending the Catholic elementary schools. Kathryn enjoyed crocheting baby blankets and wedding afghan’s, bird watching, family vacations and cooking for her family, especially their dinner on Sunday afternoons which included pies she lovingly made for her husband, Larry. However, the most important thing to her was her family; Kathryn loved her children and grandchildren more than anything. She was an incredible lady who will be missed dearly by all. Kathryn is survived by her husband, Larry; children, Dan (Loy) Assell of Piqua, OH, Bob Assell of Portage, Patrick (Stacey) Assell and Carolyn Assell both of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Brittany, Sam, Lilly, Emma, and Adeline; five brothers; seven sisters; step-mother, Sue Larson; and many nieces and nephews. Kathryn was preceded in death by her mother, Betty and father, James.