Katherine Heesch, 84, of Clarinda, IA, died Thursday afternoon, October 15, at the Clarinda Mental Health Institute where she had been a resident for the last 17 years.

Katherine Anne Heesch was born in James Township, Pottawattamie County, rural Oakland, IA on January 3, 1925, the daughter of Jacob Markus and Anne Albertine (Dohrn) Heesch. She attended rural schools and Carson High School. She lived at home and helped her parent's farm and following the death of her father and as her mother's health failed, she entered homes where she could be cared for. She had lived in Clarinda for the last 19 years. Katherine was a member of the Lutheran Church.

Katherine died Thursday afternoon, October 15, 2009 at the Clarinda Mental Health Institute in Clarinda. Her father on May 2, 1975 and her mother on October 26, 1985 preceded Katherine in death. She has no immediate survivors.

Graveside services will be held on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 2:00 PM at the Whipple Cemetery northwest of Griswold, Pastor Celeste Waymire of Faith Lutheran Church in Griswold officiating. There will be no visitation. Friends attending the graveside service are invited to meet at the Duhn Funeral Home in Griswold at 1:30 Monday to process to the cemetery.