Kathleen Arp

1930 - 2026

Kathleen M. Arp, of Blacksburg, Virginia, died on January 24, 2026, after a long life of 95 years. She was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on October 16, 1930, to Henry and Helen (Schroeder) Schulte, the only daughter of four children. After graduating from Norway High School in 1948, she spent four years obtaining a Medical Lab Technology degree from Mount Mercy University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was married to her husband of 66 years, Leon J. Arp of Walford, Iowa in 1955.

Kathy and Leon (PhD) moved to Blacksburg in 1966 where they both worked at Virginia Tech while raising four sons. Kathy continued working as Lab Technician at VT until her retirement. Growing up she enjoyed playing Trombone and basketball. As she aged, she kept her competitive spirit and enjoyed playing cards with family, along with playing bridge amongst several local bridge groups. She will be remembered for her loving heart, her wonderful cooking, and her quick wit.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leon; her sons, William and Nicholas; and her brothers, Richard and Robert Schulte. She is survived by her sons, John (Cathy) and Joseph; along with eight grandchildren, and six greatgrandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Tom Schulte, and his wife June, as well as her in-laws, Kenneth and Pat Arp, Regis and Barb Arp, Alan and Lydia Arp, Audrey Tuttle, Shirley Schulte, and Marlene Schulte, all of whom reside in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Blacksburg, with Father John Asare officiating, followed by a private burial at Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends beforehand from 10:15 a.m. until Mass begins. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg, Va.