Kathleen S. Mahlstadt Obituary (1934

Kathleen S. Mahlstadt, 86, of Indianola, passed away peacefully on June 30, 2021 at The Village in Indianola. A memorial visitation will take place at 10:00 on July, 9 2021 at Peterson Funeral Home in Indianola. A private family inurnment will take place at I.O.O.F Cemetery. Kathy was born August 6, 1934 to Sam and Ruth (Haltom) Shupe. Kathy graduated from Indianola High School and the Iowa Teachers College (University of Northern Iowa). Kathy Mahlstadt was the matriarch in our family. She was the hidden beam, not always wanting to be noticed but to be there for support when necessary. Kathy was compassionate, loving, caring and she was a great listener. Untold lives have been touched by Kathy and Jon. Years of opening their house for bible studies, doing home visits, praying for people and having the boldness to share Jesus when people hit rock bottom with nowhere else to turn. Kathy truly had a servant's heart. Most people retire from a long career and move on to bigger and better things like travelling. With Kathy, teaching was in her blood and there was no way to separate the two. Everything could be turned into an educational experience. After retiring from teaching in the Indianola Schools District for 27 years, Kathy went on to become a pre-school teacher. Kathy even won the KCCI Golden Apple award. Kathy was inducted into the Indianola Schools Wall of Distinction in 2016. Kathy loved to read! She would crack open a good book, grab a cup of coffee and soak up the story line. Reading to her, was like traveling the world without ever leaving her four walls. What a way to take a vacation. With 27 years of elementary education, Kathy knew how to communicate with her 6 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren. Kathy loved to visit with her grandchildren. She would sit on the edge of her chair, lean forward and carry on a conversation with a grandchild as if they were the only two in the room. Nothing was more important than spending time with her family, especially her grandkids. Mahlstadt Christmas was always something to look forward to. While Grandpa Mahlstadt walked around with a Christmas bow stuck to the top of his bald head, Grandma would gather all the grandchildren around in a semi-circle like a hen gathers her baby chicks, lean over in her chair and share stories or give instructions as if she was still in the classroom with five-year old's. Kathy had a way of studying the personalities of each grandchild. Each child was different in their own way. She was intrigued by what made them tick and would continuously make internal assessments as to their potential and what they could become. Kathy would see things in a child that even us as parent's could not see. What we as parents sometimes found to be annoying or troublesome, she would turn that behavior into something good by saying, "when he/she grows up they will be a good....." Kathy has a way of demanding respect. Not because she was senior but because she deserved to be honored and respected. Kathy is survived by her children; Chris (Michelle) Mahlstadt, and Jennifer (Larry) Davey, six grandchildren, and twenty-five great- grandchildren. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 65 years, Jon, one brother and two sisters. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Kathy's name to Indianola Hope Foundation which helps Indianola students with food, clothing, shelter, medical, and transportation needs.