Feb. 27, 1929 - Jan. 12, 2014
Kathleen M. Marks (nee Rafferty), 84, of Mendota, IL, formerly of Paw Paw, IL and Zeeland, MI, died peacefully at her home in Stonecroft Village in Mendota on January 12, 2014, surrounded by family and close friends. She was born February 27, 1929 in Earlville, IL to Charles and Inez (nee Vargason) Rafferty.
Katie was united in marriage to Charles F. Marks on October 8, 1949. She attended Paw Paw schools and was a proud Paw Paw alum. She was a longtime member of the Paw Paw Presbyterian Church where, for many years, she taught Sunday School and organized Vacation Bible School. She was a member of the Paw Paw American Legion Auxiliary Reynolds Post #511 and chaired many of the Poppy Days. Katie spent most of her life as a mom, a homemaker, and a wife, but also worked some years at Caterpillar in Aurora. She enjoyed being part of many Paw Paw Memorial Day and Labor Day celebrations. For these last four years, Katie lived at Stonecroft Village and enjoyed the renewing of old friendships as well as the making of many new friends in the area.
Katie is survived by three daughters, Melissa (Hal) Lowe and Kelli Marks, both of Oswego, IL, and Angela Cooper of Rockford, MI; one son, Charles (Danette) Marks of Kansas City, MO; her eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; an infant son, Michael; three brothers, Orville, Russell, and William; and her husband, Charles.
Visitation will be held from 3-7 P.M. Tuesday, January 14, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw, 398 Chicago Road, Paw Paw, IL 61353.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, January 15, 2014 at the church. Rev. Anne Hoflen will officiate. Cremation rites will be accorded and inurnment will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Paw Paw or N.I.C.E. Services provided by Torman & Sons of Paw Paw, 815-627-3811.
My thoughts and prayers to family and friends of Katie. I had a flood of emotion hearing the news. She was such a positive influence to myself and my friends growing up in Paw Paw. I have many, many good thoughts and laughs thinking of those times …
Our heartfelt sympathy to the Marks family. We will miss Katie’s friendship and the love she extended to the Brown family for more than 50 years. We feel lucky to have recent memories. Katie was our greatest fan at the Labor Day 2013 parade, and she was a proud grandmother at the fun family wedding across the Ohio River. We celebrate the life of our dear friend Katie. Prayers for the entire Marks family.
— Bryan & Linda,
Cincinnati, Ohio
Dear Melissa and Family:
Grandma Katie was such a cool grandma. We always loved when she was around. Big hugs to all of you!
— Love, Marie, Lauren and Ed
Dear Kelli, Angie, Melissa, and Chuck,
We are thinking of you and praying for you and your families as you grieve the loss of your mom. Grandma Katie was such an amazing woman! We have so many fond memories of your parents — Grandma Katie making hamburger cookies from Nilla wafers and mint cookies, orange “cookies”, fishing in their back yard, your dad walking through the yard with a pie, ratatouille, or whatever else your mom had made for us, the wonderful tomatoes from the garden, and of course playing with Bear. Your parents were so much more than neighbors and are missed greatly. We loved them! We are at peace knowing that Grandpa Chuck and Grandma Katie are together again. We send you our deepest condolences.
Hugs from the Arendsen family!!!
I feel warmth, knowing Katie and Chuck are together again, but we have lost a wonderful person, a cornerstone to our Marks family. We will be thinking of our Marks cousins.