Katherine R. "Kate" King

GENEVA - Katherine R. "Kate" King, 77, of Geneva, died Friday, Aug. 8, 2009, at Provena Mercy Center in Aurora, of complications from a long battle with respiratory related problems.

Kate was born April 4, 1932, in Grant City, Mo., the daughter of Frances H. Robertson and Erdly (Allen) Robertson. She had one sister, Emily R. Johnson, and two brothers, William Allan Robertson (Bill) and James Ben Robertson (Ben).

Kate was married June 1953 in Grant City to Charles M. King, also of Grant City.

Kate was a dog lover, an avid reader and was very involved in Alcoholics Anonymous and just celebrated her 30th year of sobriety. She helped anyone she could in recovery and was always there to share her experience, strength and hope to others. She was a woman of few words but when she spoke, she had important things to say. Kate was known for her ability to listen to what others had to say and was loved by many. She was a member of P.E.O., starting in Grant City as a young woman and became a member of the Batavia chapter when she moved to this area.

She is survived by her son, William P. King and his wife Mary M. King of Geneva; her three grandchildren, Katrina E. Metz (Eric) of Scales Mound, Paul D. Wise of Geneva and Scott R. Wise (Lauren W. Wise) of Aurora; and two great-grandsons, Dean and Tyler Wise of Lyndhurst, N.J. Kate also is survived by her sister, Emily R. Johnson, and her husband Frank Raymond Johnson (Ray) of Ellisville, Mo.; and a nephew, James Robertson (Janelle) and their three daughters and a niece, Susan R. Plant (Chris) and their two daughters, both of Denver, Colo.

Kate was preceded in death by her grandparents, her parents and her brothers.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Fox Valley Presbyterian Church, 227 East Side Drive, Geneva. A luncheon will follow the service at the church. Contributions can be made to Fox Valley Presbyterian Church.