Gertrude Catherine “Kate” Updyke, 94, of Wapella, formerly of Wyoming, passed away at 12:10 a.m. Sunday (July 3, 2016) at Heritage Health, Normal.
"Kate," as she was known by all her friends and family, was born Sept. 11, 1921, in Stark County, the daughter of Thomas L. Colgan and Emma E. VanOoteghem. She married Ernest Updyke on July 15, 1941, in Wyoming. He preceded her in death on July 18, 1982.
Surviving are her two children, Thomas M. (Vicki L.) Updyke, Kickapoo, and Carolyn J. (Gary D.) Weakly, Wapella; six grandchildren, Stephanie L. (John C.) Baysingar, Stephen P. (Kelley A.) Updyke, Shane M. (Tammie R.) Updyke and Sean P. (Traci L.) Updyke, all of Brimfield; Andrea L. (Mark A.) Tilford, Normal; and Brian D. Weakly, Wapella; 12 great-grandchildren; her sister, Alice M. Magnussen, Bradford; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Timothy B. “Bud” Colgan; and a sister, Dorothy J. Williams.
Kate worked for many years at Fry’s Variety Store in Wyoming. She was a member of the Wyoming American Legion Women’s Auxiliary and the Stark County Home Extension, as well as a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Altar & Rosary in Wapella. She was a former member of the Altar & Rosary at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Wyoming.
A funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday at St. Dominic Catholic Church, Wyoming. Father John Cyr will officiate. A visitation will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Haskell-Hott Funeral Homes, Wyoming, with recitation of the rosary immediately following. Burial will be in St. Dominic’s Cemetery, Wyoming.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Dominic Catholic Church, Wyoming Fire Department, Stark County Ambulance or the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association.
The family would like to thank the staff at OSF Hospice Bloomington for the loving care their mother received.
Condolences may be left for Kate’s family on her tribute wall atwww.haskellhott.com.
Haskell-Hott Funeral Homes, Wyoming, is in charge of arrangements.
