Dr. Willanna Katheryne Stout (2016)

MCKENZIE, STOUT

Posted By: Shirley Keating
Date: 3/22/2016 at 19:51:04

Des Moines Register
Des Moines, Iowa
Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Dr. Willanna Katheryne Stout, Des Moines

Dr. Willanna Katheryne Stout died on March 18, 2016, at Calvin Community in Des Moines, IA. She was age 104 and had enjoyed a remarkable life.

Katheryne was born September 13, 1911, on her maternal grandparents' farm in Winterset, IA, the daughter of Ray and Ella Eugenia Stout. She was raised in Winterset, Ladysmith, WI, and Oskaloosa, IA. After graduating from high school in 1929, her family moved to Des Moines. Katheryne attended business school and then went to work for Northwestern Mutual Insurance Company. During WWII, she moved to San Francisco, CA, and worked for the Southern Pacific Railroad during the day, and attended San Francisco City College at night. After the war, she joined her brother Colin Stout at Pacific University College of Optometry in Forest Grove, OR. In 1950, Katheryne became a rare female graduate of the doctor of optometry program and a trailblazing early female optometrist in the state of Iowa.

Drs. Katheryne and Colin Stout had an optometry practice at Southwest Ninth and Park in Des Moines for many years. Katheryne's specialties were vision therapy and working with children. She retired at age 76. While their practice was growing, the two also built homes in Des Moines. She served as the state secretary of the Iowa Optometric Association for many years and received that group's Heritage Award. In retirement, her lifelong passion for learning continued. Katheryne attended many Elderhostel courses in the U.S. and abroad, and audited courses at Drake University. She was also active in two women's investment clubs, in GOP politics, in church activities, and in groups at Calvin Community where she had lived since 2005.

Katheryne is survived by her nieces Katheryne McKenzie of Neotsu, OR; Heather Stout of Newport, OR; and, Patricia Stout of Seattle, WA. She is survived by her nephews Robert S. Stout of Miami, FL; Michael Stout of Seattle, WA; Colin Stout, Jr. of Gresham, OR; Stephen Stout of New York City, NY; and, David Stout of San Antonio, TX. Locally, she is survived by second cousins Barbara McKenzie and Gordon McKenzie. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brothers, Dr. Colin Stout and Robert K. Stout.

Funeral services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4114 Allison Avenue, Des Moines, of which she had been a member since 1929, on Monday, March 28, 2016, at 1 p.m. Visitation will be held prior from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery in West Des Moines, IA.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Westminster Presbyterian Church Foundation or to the Calvin Community Foundation.

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