SIOUX CITY -- Katherine "Kay" Seher VanOrdstrand, 93, of Papillion, Neb., formerly of Sioux City, passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2011, at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha.
Services will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Morningside Presbyterian Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. David Koehler officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. today, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m. and a Order of the Eastern Star service at 7 p.m., at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Condolences may be sent online to
www.christysmith.com
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Katherine Seher was born March 8, 1918, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Dr. O.W. and Carrie (Wigginton) Seher. Dr. Seher being a veterinarian for the Federal Government in the Meat Inspection Division, the family moved several times. Katherine attended schools in Fort Worth, Atlanta, Ga., Mason City, Iowa, New York, N.Y., and graduated from high school in Pittsburgh (Mount Lebanon) Pa. Another transfer brought the family to St. Joseph, Mo., where she graduated from junior college and Johnson School of Business.
A transfer to Sioux City is where she met and married Richard Charles VanOrdstrand Sr. at Morningside Presbyterian Church on May 24, 1941. The couple was blessed with a son, Richard Charles VanOrdstrand Jr. (Bristow, Va.) and a daughter, Linda Kay VanOrdstrand Weaver (Papillion, Neb.). Richard "Dick" VanOrdstrand Sr. passed away at the Honolulu, Hawaii airport on March 7, 1985.
Katherine was very proud of her accomplishments as a Sunday School teacher, den mother, Brownie leader, mother advisor of Morningside Chapter of Rainbow Girls, Worthy Matron of Morningside Chapter 502 O.E.S. (now Morningside Rose Croix 502 O.E.S.). She was a past Matron Club Queen of the Hather Temple 38, Daughter of the Nile, past Queen Club. She also was a past president of Kan Duets, Shriners Widows and volunteered 1,000 hours at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center, all in Sioux City. She was a member of the K.E.P.E.O, past president of Church Women United, past member of the Session and also board of deacons at Morningside Presbyterian Church. she was a past president of Morningside Presbyterian Women, past chairman of Naomi Circle, past president of Sorosis Study Club and Mystic Study Club.
She worked as a secretary at Morris, Plan and Hassenger Brothers Insurance. She also was a secretary for 30 years for the Sioux City Community School District, having served at Whittier and Sunnyside Elementary Schools and finally an administrative secretary to Eugene C. Farrell at East High School.
She is survived by her son, Richard (Kathi); her daughter, Linda Kay; five granddaughters, Dena Lee Wicker, Lesa Lynn House (Lt. Comdr. Wes, U.S. Navy), Sheila Rene Jones (Bruce), Tricia Ann Pikey (Dr. Kevin), Amber Nicole Cram (Trey); grandson, Creighton Algin Langley; 11 great-grandchildren, Tyler and Dylan House, Ava and Claire Jones, Morgan and Ryan Pikey, Trevor, Brady, Issac, Rylee and Wyatt Cram; and her constant companion, Kam her cat.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents, Dr. and Mrs. O.W. Seher; and her parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Alex VanOrdstrand.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Morningside Presbyterian Church or the Transportation Fund of Abu Bekr Shrine Temple.