Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

LEHKER

Knecht

Norris

Simmons

Wharton

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE – April 12, 2001

Kathleen J. Lehker

June 1, 1940 - April 9, 2001

Kathleen J. Lehker, 60, of Walkersville, Md., passed away after a long battle with cancer on Monday, April 9, in her home.

Kathy was born in Hartford City, Ind., on June 1, 1940, to Robert and Dorothy Knecht of North Liberty, Ind., both surviving. She graduated from Ball State University, Muncie, Ind., with a bachelor's degree in medical technology in 1962. On Aug. 11, 1962, in South Bend, she married John Norman Lehker, who preceded her in death on Sept. 28, 1989.

Kathy is survived by her three children, Michael John of Washington, D.C., Thomas Andrew of Frederick, Md., and Kathryn "Katrina" Elizabeth of Walkersville. She is also survived by her two brothers, James Knecht of Apple Valley, Minn., Robert Knecht Jr. of South Bend; and by three sisters, Beth Norris of South Bend, Andrea Wharton of Duluth, Ga., and Deborah Simmons of Warsaw, Ind.

Kathy had lived with her family in Walkersville since 1979 where she had been a giving member of the community and an active member of St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church. She was a volunteer in her church and community for many years, and was a conservationist, environmentalist, and a strong advocate for human rights. Family and faith were most important in her life. She loved to travel, and was an avid reader, a talented artist, and a whiz at crosswords. Kathy worked at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital for over twenty years.

Her enthusiasm for life and indomitable spirit was an inspiration for all those who knew her. She was loved and respected and will be deeply missed.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m. on Sunday, April 15, in the Stauffer Funeral Home, 40 Fulton Avenue, Walkersville, with a prayer service to begin at 8:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11 a.m. on Monday, April 16, in St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church, 8651 Biggs Ford Road, Walkersville, with the Rev. Father Richard J. Murphy as the celebrant. Interment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery, Frederick.

Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Hospice of Frederick County, 516 Trail Avenue, Frederick, MD 21701; to St. Timothy Roman Catholic Church, 200 Glade Blvd., Walkersville, MD 21793; or to the American Cancer Society, 1393 Progress Way, Suite 908, Eldersburg, MD 21784.