Kathryn Rowe (Karo) Buerger was called home by our Father in heaven on July 21, 2020. She was born on March 10, 1925 in Brundidge, Alabama but her family moved to Mobile shortly after her birth, where she spent most of her life. She graduated from Murphy High School in 1942 and attended Gulf Park College for Women in Mississippi.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Flournoy Rowe, M.D. and Karon Shealy Rowe; and numerous close friends.
She is survived by her sister, Carolyn Rowe Harrold of Tazewell, VA; her 2 daughters, Kathryn (Mike) Barker of Eight Mile, AL and Becky Moore (Ginger Lowery) of Mobile, AL; her 4 grandchildren, Carolyn (Jarrod) Howell of Mobile, Chris (Jessica) Barker of Dushore, PA, Carmen (David) George of Baton Rouge, LA and Jen (Matt) Viselli of Sayre, PA; and her 8 great-grandchildren, Nathan Howell, Kaitlyn Howell, and Nicholas Howell all of Mobile, AL, Hazel Barker, Sam Barker, Edith Barker, Silas Barker, and Seth Barker all of Dushore, PA (all who affectionately called her “Granny” when she really wanted to be called “Kathryn the Great”!); 3 nieces, Kay Harrold of Asheville, NC, Jane Sorensen of Tazewell, VA, and Kathryn Harrold of Santa Monica, CA; and a nephew, Bob (Susanne) Harrold of Corpus Christi, TX .
Kathryn was a hard worker and had many different occupations and hobbies throughout her life. She was passionate about everything she did, from leading Brownie and Girl Scout Troops when her girls were growing up, to cheering for Alabama Crimson Tide football. She was a faithful Alabama fan even before Bear Bryant. Like her mother, she loved gardening and was a long time member of the Belle Fontaine Garden Club. She was very artistic and could do anything she set her mind to, from painting delicate china to painting an entire house and anything in between. Kathryn also loved playing cards and would play Bridge for hours on end with friends. Later in life she enjoyed playing cards with family and friends many evenings after dinner. Numerous fond memories were made during those times.
Kathryn loved life! She was always cheerful and had a unique sense of humor. She made everyone around her smile and chuckle with her. She loved her family and her church. She was a member of Mangham UMC in Mangham, LA where she was baptized late in life. She made many new friends there and loved them all. At the time of her passing, she was a member of Satsuma UMC in Satsuma, AL where she continued to make new friends and was very proud to be the oldest attendee of the church. She was heartbroken when the church burned, but remained a faithful member throughout the rebuilding phase. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to the Satsuma United Methodist Church Building Fund in her memory. Checks can be mailed to P. O. Box 879, Satsuma, AL 36572.
Her Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2020 at 10 a.m. on the lawn of Satsuma United Methodist Church, 58 Bayou Avenue W, Satsuma, AL. Everyone is welcome. Please wear casual attire because of the heat and bring your own comfy chair.
Her final resting place will be at Pine Crest Cemetery. A graveside service will be on Monday, August 3, 2020 for family members only.
Kathryn will be greatly missed by all who knew her, but our loss is Heaven’s gain and we know we will see her smiling face again.
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