Obituary of Katharine Walters

Katharine Mae Walters, nearly age 93, graduate from Blissfield High School (class of 1940) and Riggs School of Cosmetology, passed away on November 8, 2015 in Tucson, Arizona where she has lived for the past fifteen years. She was born at home in Ogden Township, Michigan, November 17, 1922, as Mary Catherine Jenkins, daughter of the late Jerome Harrison and Nellie Mary (Barrows) Jenkins. After the death of her mother on Dec 28, 1922, she was lovingly adopted, at nine months of age, as Katharine Mae Wilt, by her parents, Fred J. and Stella (Porter) Wilt, of Ogden Twp. Raised by the Wilts as an only child, Katharine was blessed to be in contact with her six natural born siblings throughout her life. She was married to Richard “Sam” Walters, November 29, 1941, son of the late William and Frieda (Thom) Walters. The Walters lived and farmed in Ogden Township, Michigan and Havana, Arkansas, finally retiring and building a home in Sebring, Florida. Katharine had many talents, which included singing and playing the piano. She taught vacation bible school, and was a volunteer for community charity drives. She shared her creative hair styles with family and friends; her daughter remembers always having beautifully coiffed hair throughout high school. Katharine enjoyed oil painting, and writing poetry and stories about her life and extensive travels with her husband to all continents, except Antarctica. Katharine is survived by her daughter Joan Reedy and granddaughter Deena Reedy, both of Tucson, AZ; three grandsons: Patrick Reedy of Johns Island, South Carolina, Eric Walters of Hillsdale, Michigan and Nathan and wife Joy (Durding) Walters, of Horton, Michigan; a sister-in-law Linda (Betz) Good, dear friend Gerry Harllee and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Richard “Sam” Walters (1990), and their son Fred Wm. Walters (2010), four brothers, Gerald Jenkins, Carey Jenkins, Lynn Jenkins and Kenneth Jenkins, all residents of Adrian, Michigan, and two sisters Sylvia Benschoter, Adrian, Michigan and Betty Campbell of Tucson, Arizona. The family wishes to thank The Villas of La Canada Assisted Living & Memory Care Neighborhood, Agape Hospice and Angel Valley Funeral Home for their care and support. A private family service and burial will take place next summer in Michigan at Riga Cemetery. The family would encourage any memorial tributes to be shared with your local Humane Society or Alzheimer’s Disease research.