Kathryn Ann "Katie" (Heidecker) Bottenfield 1947-2021

BOTTENFIELD, HEIDECKER, KATHMAN

Posted By: Barry R Huntsinger (email)
Date: 10/10/2021 at 08:06:14

Depending on when you met Kathryn Ann Bottenfield, you may have known her as “Kathy” if you grew up with her in Wallingford, Iowa, or attended Graettinger, Iowa High School, or “Katie,” which she was lovingly introduced as by her husband, Brad. She was a spunky little lady with a heart full of love, especially for her family and “her kids” — as she called them — who she assisted at Graettinger School, taught catechism too, and babysat.

On September 6, 2021, at Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa, Kathy passed away surrounded by family members. She received her last rites from Father Kelly (of St. Patrick’s Church in Estherville, Iowa) who also provided services to her father, Romaine, when he passed. She thought the world of him.

Kathy came into this world on October 30, 1947, at the Holy Family Hospital in Estherville. Her parents were Romaine and Veronica (Kathman) Heidecker. She was raised in Wallingford, where she attended a two-room school until 8th grade and then moved to Graettinger School, where she completed high school in 1965. After high school, she attended Estherville Junior College.

She was united in marriage to Bradley Bottenfield, Sr. on January 17, 1970, in Watertown, South Dakota. They made their permanent home in Iowa, residing temporarily in Wallingford before moving to Graettinger, where they have remained since. Kathy was blessed with three children: Kip, Heidi and Dominic, and two stepsons, Bradley (Brady) Jr. and Brian. Kathy was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Graettinger, where she raised their children in the faith. She was proud to serve in the Altar Rosary Society, as a religious education teacher, and a eucharistic minister for several years.

Kathy enjoyed being a mother and homemaker in the early years. As her children got older, she went back to work with Graettinger School and Bank Plus, which were among her favorite positions, as well as babysitting several children who she treated as her own. Kathy loved children and always wanted to be a teacher. She was delighted to work with students of all ages in Mrs. Fullmer’s room. Mrs. B, as “her kids” called her, had many favorites, none more than another she’d say, as she loved all of “her” (school) kids. Her last position was at Bank Plus, where she spent many years providing friendly customer service with a side of sassy wit. She enjoyed her customers and loved to greet them with a smile on her face.

Through the years, Kathy enjoyed many activities such as coffee parties with her many friends, gardening, walking, reading novels, “sisters’” weekends, traveling, competing as the Labor Day dance queen where she tore up the floor with her JitterBug, golfing in Ladies League, and spending many Friday nights with friends at the Hillcrest. Kathy lived life to the fullest and loved so many.

Left to cherish Kathy’s memory and to carry on the traditions she has left behind is her husband of 51 years, Brad Bottenfield of Graettinger; two sons, Kip (Von) Bottenfield of Van Meter, Iowa, and Dominic (Abby) Bottenfield of Waukee, Iowa; a daughter, Heidi (Dan) Skattebo of Graettinger; and two stepsons, Brady Bottenfield of Wayzata, Minnesota, and Brian (Michele) Bottenfield of Mound, Minnesota. Kathy adored her grandbabies no matter how old they got, including Drew (Tina Kindle), Grace, Samuel (Morgan McGrauth), and Noah Skattebo; Tyger and Trinity Bottenfield, Addison, Henry, and Grant Bottenfield; her step-grandchildren Bailey, Blair, and Briann Bottenfield; Patrick Bottenfield. She also leaves behind her sisters Sandra Wolfe of Plymouth, Minnesota, and Debbie (Dale) Richardson of Bricelyn, Minnesota, and a brother, Jay Heidecker of Montezuma, Iowa; brother-in-law Terry (Joy) Bottenfield of Valencia, California, and sister-in-law Joey Bottenfield of Upper Lake, California, along with many nieces and nephews and other extended family.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Romaine and Veronica Heidecker, a sister, Baby Veronica, a brother, Tim Heidecker, sister-in-law Ellen (Heidecker) Johnson, parents-in-law Don and Billie Bottenfield, brother-in-law Mike Bottenfield, and a nephew, Scott Wilson.

A funeral service was held Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the Immaculate Conception Catholic church in Graettinger with interment at St. Jacob's Catholic cemetery in Graettinger.

(Source: Henry-Olson Funeral Home, Estherville, Iowa.)