Katherine Jo Crowder

Kathy was born in Yakima Washington to William “Bill” and Esther (Knoblich) Willard on May 24th 1949. She joined her father Bill in Eternal Life on Tuesday, June 16th 2015. Kathy was a brilliant and kind woman who never wanted because she was always content as long as she had “a warm home and a roof that didn’t leak”. She preferred used over new, and always repurposed and recycled long before it was fashionable.

She loved music, art, dancing, and creating. But most of all she loved spending time with her family and friends. Any little task would inevitably become a work of art. Kathy was accomplished in countless artistic facets including painting, sculpting, cake decorating and sewing. She was mostly self-taught prior to receiving her B.A. in art later in life.

Of her many jobs one of her favorites was County Librarian; were she made many friends and loved working with the people. Kathy made it a mission to find new homes for the retired and discarded books. She also enjoyed teaching art to school children. She received great delight in watching the young children’s excitement as they discovered the new art work they could create. Kathy had a zeal for life and people. This enthusiasm was contagious and she loved to share and pass on her eclectic knowledge to everyone around her. Kathy had a big heart and would often volunteer her many talents to help out friends or for the joy of making others happy. Kathy saw beauty and kindness in everything and everyone. Everyone that knew her saw that within minutes a stranger quickly became her friend for life. Her kindness has touched the many hearts of her family and friends. Her passing will leave an infinite void in our lives and hearts.

She is survived by her Mother Esther (Knoblich) Streifling, Husband James “Iggy” Crowder, Brother Patrick (Evelyn) Willard, children Todd (Susan) Hatch and Kerrie Freeman and five grandchildren Christopher Hatch, Casey Hatch, Carson Hatch, Lacey Freeman, and John Freeman.

Services will be held at Whitehurst, Norton and Dias funeral Chapel, 268 West Main St., Turlock, California on Friday June 26, 2015 at 2:00pm.

www.dignitymemorial.com/whitehurst-norton-dias-funeral-service, (209) 634-4904