Kathryn Louise Storer

Kathryn Louise was born July 31, 1948 in Des Moines, Iowa, the only child of Leonard and Eldora Pitman. After suffering for over a year with dementia and other ailments, Kathy passed away quietly in the early morning hours of April 14, 2018 at Luther Park Trinity Center. Visitation will be Thursday, April 19, 5-7pm followed by a memorial service Friday, April 20 at 11:00 at McLaren’s Chapel 801 19th Street, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Kathy was a resident of the Oak Park neighborhood for most of her life, living in the same house her father built and she grew up in. She attended Oak Park Elementary, Harding Jr. High, and North High School, graduating in 1966. It was at Oak Park that she met Sharon Peterson, her life long best friend. After high school Kathy went to nursing school and became an LPN, working at West Park Care Center then Mercy Hospital as an oncology nurse for many years.

Kathy raised two daughters, Tracy and Kimberly with the help of her mother, Eldora, who was a very important part of her life. In 1977, she was introduced to William (Wim) Storer by his sister, Carol. After Wim returned to the Bahamas where he worked, he and Kathy continued to correspond by mail. It was a long distance love affair. In 1978, he returned to Iowa and proposed to Kathy on Christmas day, 1979 in front of Kathy’s mother, Tracy and Kimberly. On May 31, 1980, she and Wim were married with Tracy and Kimberly as flower girls. Her wedding dress was mint green and her flowers light blue and yellow, which were her favorite colors. It was a beautiful spring day during Kathy’s favorite season.

While working and taking care of her family, including her mother, Kathy went back to college at the Mercy School of Nursing and received her degree in 1988 to become an RN. She and her family were extremely proud of her hard work and accomplishment. Throughout her career Kathy was a dedicated nurse who cared deeply for her patients and their families. She retired early in 2005 as a home health care nurse due to health issues. She missed nursing greatly because of the satisfaction it gave her helping others.

Kathy enjoyed the very simple things in life, like family trips to Dairy Queen in their station wagon with their dog, Rascal, who always got an ice cream cone. She loved nature, especially feeding birds and squirrels, getting one squirrel she named Stubby to eat from her hand. Her pets were her family members and strays somehow always found a way to her family’s home. If she didn’t adopt them herself, she ended up finding homes for them. Her heart was tender for those who suffered. Her heart ached each time she said goodbye to a patient or a beloved pet. She was a strong believer that every death should be one of dignity and peace.

Kathy wasn’t an extravagant person but she did enjoy having the opportunity to get out of her nursing attire or the sweats she wore at home and dress up every once in awhile. One of her favorite evenings out was dinner and a play at the Ingersoll Dinner Theater. Kathy and Wim would make it a family night, going with Wim’s parents, Mary and Bill Storer, his sister Carol, and in later years, Tracy and her husband, Rob and Kimberly and her husband Jeff. Kathy loved the dinner theater’s meals of carved ham and roast beef and especially their Grasshopper ice cream drink. Just as fun for her was an evening at home spent with her family ordering in a Canadian Bacon pizza from Pizza Hut and having a beer. For Kathy, the pleasure was in spending time with her loved ones.

Family was so important to Kathy. She adored her grandchildren and made sure she had an abundance of toys, puzzles, games and books at her home for when they would come over. Her grandchildren looked forward to sleep overs with freshly washed sheets on the sofa bed, character fruit snacks, bathtub toys and bubble baths with plenty of Disney movies to watch before bedtime. Summer time at Grandma Kathy’s and Papa Wim’s meant playing in the inflatable pools she would set up in the front yard, always with popsicles and ice cream treats ready for them in the freezer. She loved to spoil them and was not embarrassed to admit it.

One of Kathy’s passions was collecting items that had sentimental value to her. She had an extensive collection of Precious Moments and Boyds Bears, which she loved to receive as gifts because they were momentums of special occasions in her life. A devoted fan of soap operas, especially the Young and the Restless, One Life to Live and General Hospital, she could tell you all about each character’s storyline and their latest escapades. She recorded each episode and was constantly trying to catch up on them. Kathy also spent many hours reading. Her nightstand and end tables were stacked with copies of People Magazine, the National Enquirer, romance novels and inspirational books about overcoming adversity. She always had a paperback romance novel in her purse to read when she had a few extra minutes. She passed her love of reading for enjoyment on to her daughters and their children.

Her family fondly remembers how much Kathy enjoyed giving them little treats, like boxes of animals crackers, cordial cherries at Christmas time, and always bringing her famous candy dish filled with nuts, mints and mini chocolate bars to family celebrations. No birthday party was complete without this special touch. She loved having her children and grandchildren indulge in her sweet tooth with her. No 4th of July picnic at the Yankee Doodle pops was complete without Grandma Kathy bringing boxes of crackers, cans of Cheese Whiz spread and grapes to eat as they watched the fireworks. She also always made sure there were plenty of sparklers for everyone.

These modest gestures showed how much she cared for and loved her family. They are traditions they recall with affection, and miss so very much. Since her illness, her absence has been felt in many small ways, and now, in depths so very deep. She left her family and friends far too soon, but her suffering is over and for that they are grateful. As time goes on without her, they hope all of these loving recollections will help her to live on in them. She will always hold special places in their hearts.

Kathy is survived by her devoted husband, Wim; two daughters, Tracy Edwards (Rob) and Kimberly Roberts (Jeff); seven grandchildren, Caitlin Rose, Emelia, Brienne and Chloe Edwards, and Logan, Lylliana and Lena Roberts; and her sister-in-law, Carol Weddell. She was preceded in death by her parents and life long best friend, Sharon Peterson.

Memorial contributions can be made to your choice of pet rescues or dementia research organizations.

Memories are precious. In honor of Kathy, create as many happy ones as you can.