Obituary of Kathleen M. Wertz

Kathleen M. Wertz of Coralville (formerly Los Alamitos, California) died Saturday, December 12, 2009 at her daughter’s home in Coralville, IA. She will be inurned at Forest Lawn in Cypress, California; date and time to be determined. Gay & Ciha Funeral and Cremation Service is handling all services and arrangements for a very grateful family. There will be a gathering of family and friends at the home of her daughter Deborah in Coralville on Tuesday, December 15 from 4-7pm. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in her name has been established with the Iowa City Hospice. Online condolences may be sent for her family through the web @ www.gayandciha.com. Helen Kathleen McCracken was born November 27, 1928, in Scottsbluff, NE, the daughter of James Harold McCracken and Josephine Kimball Wilson McCracken. She moved with her family to Long Beach, California, as an infant, graduated in 1946 from Woodrow Wilson High School and attended Long Beach City College. On September 24, 1950, she married Harold Eugene Wertz Jr. She loved her job as secretary to the fire chief for the City of Anaheim but retired early to have more time enjoying life’s adventures with her husband and family. At the age of 55 she earned her private pilot’s license and was active in her local chapter of the 99’s, an international organization of women pilots. She thoroughly enjoyed the three years she lived in Iowa and was delighted to experience the four seasons. She loved the NY Times crossword puzzle, any and all trivia games, reading murder mysteries, her old and new friends, dining out, and was always up for any kind of adventure. She had an open, quick, and curious mind. Kathleen hated the word ‘elderly’ and anyone that knew her could never think of her as anything but young at heart. Her family includes her daughter, Deborah Wertz (Pamela) of Coralville, IA, her son, Richard Wertz (Debbie) of Anaheim, CA, granddaughters Kristen DeBie (Jason) of Menifee, CA and Kelly Murad (Badir) of Anaheim, CA, great-granddaughter, Macie Alleyah DeBie, her dearly loved cat, Ellie, and many, many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and beloved brother Michael James McCracken. Kathleen's family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Richard Neiman at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City and the entire staff at Iowa City Hospice for their compassionate and loving care for Kathleen in her final days.