Kathleen “Kathy” Gorby, 75, of Waterloo, Iowa, died at her home Sunday, December 4, 2011 of cancer. Kathleen Clara Franzen was born November 22, 1936 in St. Lucas, Iowa, the daughter of Joseph and Johanna Baumler Franzen. Kathy graduated from St. Luke's High School in St. Lucas in 1954.

She married Gene Gorby on June 1, 1959 in Vermillion, South Dakota. He died June 28, 2003. Kathy was a member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas. She volunteered with her husband delivering Meals on Wheels.

She is survived by daughters: Charlotte (Tom) Jeys and Diane Gorby, both of Waterloo; Tamara (Luther) Hougen of Denver, Iowa; Kimberly Gorby and Nichole Gorby, and son Gene (Shelley) Gorby Jr., all of Waterloo. Kathy is also survived by 19 grandchildren: Ryan Jeys, Cory Jeys, Sara Kastli, Jersey Jeys, Tim Blanchard, Dennis Blanchard Jr., Kayla Belz, Jeremy Belz, Jami Hougen, Cody Hougen, Chelsea Becker, Cole Gorby-Becker, Kaylee Gorby-Becker, Joey Gorby, Brittany Gorby, Brittany Kimball, Brandon Kimball, Jorden Lewis and Jarett Lewis and 16 great-grandchildren: Chandie Jeys, Blake Jeys, Madison Jeys, Nathan Jeys, Bradin Jeys, Briann Jeys, Laney Aldrich, Hunter Bellis, Savannah Kastli, Jesse Diaz Jr., Desirae Blanchard, Timothy Blanchard Jr., Dylan Blanchard, Devon Blanchard, Karson Stark and Cayson Stark; and brother Eligius “Sam” Franzen of St. Lucas, sisters: Mary (Charlie) Zook of Sioux City, Iowa, Lou Schuler of Waterloo, Eileen (Ken) Hill of Dike, Marilyn (Dale) Bedard of Waterloo and Jane (Jim) Jones of Leon, Iowa.

Kathy is preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother Alvin Franzen, sister Dorothy Moellers, sister-in-law Hannah Franzen, brothers-in-law: Clair Moellers, Lee Sweitzer and James Schuler, nephew David Moellers, and nieces Mary Kris Sweitzer and Denise Hill.

Kathy had many hobbies; some of her favorites were bird watching (especially hummingbirds), gardening, playing cards and reading about and discussing politics. She loved and enjoyed her family. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend. She loved playing softball with us and the grandkids in her younger years...and could throw a burner like no other! Kathy’s favorite holiday was Christmas. She loved decorating the tree and would bake and bake and bake!