Katherine Esther Clemmer

Born on May 17, 1933, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Katherine was the daughter of Mary Esther Gibbs, née Schirch, and Franklin “FH” Gibbs. She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her half-brothers, Francis Raymond Gibbs and Franklin Fitzpatrick, née Gibbs.

Katherine’s parents owned and operated a small bakery, and she spent time working alongside them. Those early experiences helped shape her lifelong interest in food and nutrition, leading her to become the first in her family to attend and graduate from college (University of Massachusetts, 1954) and to pursue a career as a registered dietitian. “Kathy”, as she was now called, accepted a commission with the United States Public Health Service (USPHS), assigned to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Following an internship on Staten Island, New York, she changed station to the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

During her tenure at NIH, she rose through the ranks to achieve the grade of Lieutenant Commander (O-4). As a commissioned officer, she wore the naval uniform of the USPHS and played a vital role in the early years of the Clinical Center’s research mission until she was honorably discharged in 1961.

It was during her time in the Washington, D.C. area that she met her loving husband, James F. Clemmer “Jim,” who was born in Xenia, Ohio in 1924. They were married in Bethesda, Maryland, on October 8, 1960, and together built a life grounded in faith, family, and partnership with one another. They raised their three children: Dorothy Clemmer, John Clemmer, and Timothy Clemmer (Christina), who all survive her.

Following her work with NIH, she later continued her career with the Howard County, Maryland, Public School System as a Teacher’s Aide in 1973 and in 1977 as a Food Service Area Field Representative.

In 1981, Katherine and her husband retired and moved from Maryland to Palm Bay, Florida. In 1993, they moved to Indialantic, Florida where she was active on her Oceanview Condominium Board and joined the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community.

Following 42 years of marriage, she was widowed in 2002 and in 2021, moved to Warsaw, Indiana, where she enjoyed the close proximity of her daughter, Dorothy, and attended the Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Katherine found enjoyment in cooking, birdwatching, and playing Words With Friends. She especially treasured family vacations, including trips to Lake Buel, Massachusetts, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina, as well as evenings spent dining out together—moments that remained meaningful throughout her life.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Joseph Clemmer, Kurt Clemmer, Emily Clemmer, Rachel Clemmer (Connor), Carmelite Ruskowski (Patrick), Mabel Kahil (Abdul), Jacquelyn Clemmer, and Katherine Clemmer (Owen). She was preceded in death by her great-granddaughter, Margaret Jacquelyn Ruskowski.

Katherine will be remembered for her strong, stoic faith, and for her love of family.

A visitation will be held at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community on April 14, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m., with burial afterward at Florida Memorial Gardens in Rockledge, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Katherine’s name to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, Indiana.