Kathi Sokness

Kathi Sokness, of Penacook, New Hampshire, passed away on June 16 from complications from myelodysplastic syndrome/leukemia. She was 73 years old.
Originally from Royal, Iowa, Kathi was born to Bernard (Brownie) and Evelyn Schuck in 1943. She spent her first years on a farm north of Royal, and the majority of her childhood on a farm south of town with her parents and sister, Shari. Kathi grew up with her pinto horse Beauty, a faithful companion that lived into her adulthood. Many friends and relatives have fond memories of riding horses with her over the years. Her youth was filled with outings, sports, fun, and games with her family and friends.
Kathi earned a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Health from Westmar College in Le Mars, Iowa. Before even completing her degree, she was teaching at Northwestern College while student teaching in Orange City. She would also teach in Sibley, and then in Schleswig with her husband Curt, whom she married in 1964. They lived in Rockford and Rudd, Iowa and had two children, Jill and Joel, before moving to Newton, Iowa. She left the education field for many years after her children were born and later worked at the Newton YMCA as the Aquatic Director. After moving to Green River, Wyoming, she turned her photography hobby into a home-based business, specializing in senior and family portraits. In 1991, Kathi and her family moved to Concord, New Hampshire, where she worked for a large school photo studio. She eventually renewed her teaching certification and went on to get a Master’s Degree in Special Education from Notre Dame College in Manchester at the age of 50. She loved being a high school special education teacher at Coe Brown Northwood Academy in Northwood where she worked for 10 years before retiring.
Kathi enjoyed traveling and visited every state in the nation except Alaska with her family. Once she was again single, she took many road trips with dear New Hampshire friends. They traveled in a camper throughout New England and went frequently to Grand Manan Island in Canada where they got to know many lovely people. She loved water and had fun kayaking in lakes and off the coast. She regularly returned to Iowa to visit her parents, sister and friends.
Kathi had two children with former husband, Curt Sokness: Jill Sokness of South Sioux City, Nebraska and Joel Sokness of Austin, Texas. She was an amazingly supportive mother who encouraged her children to seek out their own adventures in life. She loved visiting them as they moved around the country. She traveled with her kids throughout her life, exploring new places, hiking, kayaking, visiting museums, and eating delicious food (with a good margarita!).
Kathi enjoyed reminiscing about her wonderful childhood on NW Iowa farms: hard work, fresh and delicious food, dog and cat companions, and fun with her sister, friends and many cousins. She loved animals and nature and contributed regularly to animal protection, wildlife and environmental organizations. Like her mother and sister, she was a wonderful cook and baker. She played fast pitch softball into her forties. She once survived lymphoma and lived a healthy life for 10 years after diagnosed. She was generous, kind, all-accepting, patient, and fun to be with, just a few of the reasons she will be missed so much.
She is survived by her children; her mother, Evelyn Schuck (101) of Spencer, Iowa; her sister, Shari Emmert (Kenneth) of Spencer, Iowa; her niece Barb Fletcher (Randy) of Royal, Iowa; her niece Julie Gerstandt (Todd) of Ankeny, Iowa; her nephew Steven Emmert of Washington, D.C.; her great-nephew Kyle Fletcher (Allie) of Royal, Iowa; her great-niece Carly Fletcher of Webb, Iowa; her great-niece Caitlyn Fletcher of Spencer, Iowa; and great-great-niece, Hallie Fletcher of Spencer, Iowa. Additionally, she is survived by many cousins she held very dear and friends and coworkers around the country who were so special to her. She is preceded in death by her father, Brownie Schuck.
In lieu of flowers, her children ask you to consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society or an animal shelter in your community.
A memorial service will be held at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Royal, Iowa on Saturday, July 15 at 10:30 a.m. Visitation begins at 9:30, with a “celebration of life” picnic in the East Leach Park shelter house at 305 4th Street SE, center and west rooms, in Spencer, immediately following the service.