Kathrine Arlene Burns Lawrence was born on December 7, 1931 in Eddyville, Iowa to C.
Elwood and Fern L. Burns and died peacefully on June 23, 2025. She graduated from
Ottumwa High School in 1950 (Hubba, Hubba!). After graduation she worked for NW Bell.
She married Allan K. Lawrence on November 23, 1954 and together they raised “four lovely
daughters.”
Kathie was active at First Presbyterian Church in Ottumwa where she served as an elder,
deacon, Clerk of Session and on many committees. She was a fixture in the kitchen at the
church. She was a member of Ottumwa Women’s Club and P.E.O. Chapter IN.
Kathie and Allan traveled in the continental USA, as well as the British Isles, Canada, Hawaii,
Alaska, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands. They spent several winters in Mesa, Arizona.
Kathie was predeceased by her husband, Allan, in 2018, her youngest daughter, Stacey
Horen, in 2021, and her sister, “Nell” Brunk, in 2024. She leaves behind daughters Valerie
(Jim) Spradling, Cynthia (Sam) Pendergrast, Karen (Jim) Conrad, son-in-law Phillip Horen
and seven grandchildren: Allan and James Pendergrast; Joshua, Sarah and Kelsey Conrad;
Joseph and Sophia Horen; her sister’s daughter, Paula Brunk Atchley; and her adopted family
Gae Steuerwald Gentzsch and the Hughes boys, Byron, Alan, and Philip. She also leaves
extended family from Wyoming and Vermont.
Kathie’s attitude to take it one day at a time, to do what you can and not worry about it, served
her and her daughters well in her last years. Her sense of humor and love of people
remained as she slipped away.
The family extends thanks and gratitude to the staff at Pennsylvania Place, and at The Haven
and Vista Woods who cared for her with patience, affection, and good humor during the
months and years she was in their care. Thanks also to those who overcame their fears and
visited after she moved, especially Byron and Jeanette for their weekly visits during her stay
at The Haven.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:30 pm on August 15 at Reece Funeral Home with visitation
starting at 2:30 pm.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Vista Woods Activity Fund at Vista Woods Care Center or
to Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra.
