Kathleen Morris Haberkorn

I am no bird; and no net ensnares me:

I am a free human being with an independent will.

Charlotte Bronte

Kathleen Morris O’Leary Haberkorn, our beloved Katie, was born April 18, 1922 in Cordova Alaska. She was welcomed into the world by her parents Charles Michael O’Leary and Edna Mabel Morris and her brother Michael Morris O’Leary.

In 1928 the family moved to Bryn Mawr, WA where she attended grade school and later graduated from Renton High School, Class of 1940.

She married Herbert Warde Barker on November 1st, 1940 and soon became the proud mother of Frances Kathleen and Michael Warde. Katie and Herbert divorced in 1946.

Katie raised her children as a single parent and they are proud of the legacy of strength courage and love that she left them. Katie's independent spirit set them an example of a life well lived.

Katie worked as an elevator operator in the Arctic and Republic buildings for many years then moved on to work for United Data Controls in 1957 which became Sunstrand Data Control.. She stayed with the company for 27 years until her retirement in 1987.

In 1972, she married the love of her life, Richard Haberkorn and became the step-mother to Denise and Debra.

Katie found her place in the Northwest. She loved spending time at Beaver lake and Whidby Island. She kept a close eye on what was happening and read the paper from front page to the last section. Although she generally skipped the sports section; her family remembers that while they were growing up, she always had the Seattle Rainiers games on the radio.

She was a Charter member of Overlake Christian Church. In her bible she had marked the passage for Isaiah 40:31

But those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Katie was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Edna O’Leary, husband Richard Haberkorn and step-daughter Denise Haberkorn, son Michael Warde Barker and his daughters Tracey and Kellie Barker.

She is survived by- Daughter Frances Stray and step daughter Debra Marovich

5 grandchildren 7 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.

Services will be held Sunset Hills Funeral Home on May 6th at 11:00 AM