Katherine K. Shepherd's Obituary
Katherine K. Shepherd, or Katy as she was known, passed away on November 27, 2015. She was born on May 23, 1930 in Wenkbach, Germany but grew up in Marburg/Lahn. What defined her as a child and carried through her life was her sense of adventure, her kindness, and her limitless capacity for love. As a child, if she wanted to go to the movies with some of the grocery money, she did and faired the consequences with grace and the joy of the deed; it was worth it. She shared her lunch with some of the Russian prisoners being held in town as she couldn’t bear to see anyone hungry or in pain. Later on, that same compassion sent her to nursing school which she loved and that would have been her career, but then she met Harold A. Shepherd, the man who would become her husband. They were married in Trieste, Italy and set out on a military life of moving every two years. She loved the new places and faces. Later in retirement she so enjoyed the traveling she and Harold did. When her beloved husband dealt with health issues, including dementia, Katy was there every step of the way: loving and loyal. Above all else, she was devoted to her family. She treasured them and gave them limitless love and unquestioning acceptance.
Katy is survived by two daughters, Patricia (Butch) Barto and Sharon (Roger) Bagg; grandchildren, Marika Barto, Tamara (Robert) Strauss and bonus grandchildren, Carl (Sara) Bagg and April Rose Bagg; great-grandchildren, Faith and Shepherd Strauss, Kaedyn, Kandler, and Karlee Bagg, and Emily Roseand two brothers, Hans Scherer of New York and Heini Scherer of Germany. Preceding her in death is her husband, Harold, her beloved son, Charles, and grandson, David. It’s impossible to say what a remarkably warm, kind, nonjudgmental, and extraordinary woman she was in an obituary. To all who didn’t get to meet her, you missed out on an amazing woman.
In her memory please make a donation to Wounded Warriors, Alzheimer’s Association, American Diabetes Association, or to the charity of your choice. Friends and family may gather at Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. SW, Lakewood, WA 98499 for visitation on Friday, December 4, 2015 from 2:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Funeral services will follow on Saturday, December 5, 2:00 PM in the Garden Chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home. She will be laid to rest with her husband, Harold, at Tahoma National Cemetery. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home. Remembrances may be shared online at www.mountainviewtacoma.com
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