Kathleen Ruth Rogers

Kathleen (Kathy) Ruth Rogers, of Valparaiso, Indiana, passed away on August 20, 2025 at the age of 72 in Valparaiso, surrounded by loved ones.

Born on March 31, 1953 in Gary, Indiana, to the late Wallace and Ruth McCormack, Kathy's life epitomized the virtues of love and devotion for her family and friends, a strong work ethic and a compassionate and giving heart. Many will remember Kathy for the special love she gave to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she adored.

Kathy's journey began in Portage, Indiana where she was the only daughter and the youngest of five children. She learned the meaning of hard work, assisting her mom and dad in operating their family-owned "dime" store at a young age. Kathy attended elementary and junior high in Portage, graduating in 1971 from Portage High School. While at Portage H.S., she served as a timer for the boy's swimming team.

Following high school, Kathy worked in the administrative offices at Midwest Steel in Burns Harbor for most of a decade before attending Purdue University-Calumet where she earned a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology in 1987. After having two sons, Kristopher Johnsen (Kris, 1979) and James Johnsen (Jim,1980), Kathy worked at Porter-Starke Services where she earned the Fred C. Skinner Award, as well as at Southlake Mental Health Center. While raising a family and working, Kathy earned a Master's degree in Applied Behavioral Psychology from Valparaiso University in 1989.

Kathy had a special gift for teaching and served as a psychology instructor at Purdue University- North Central (Northwest) and IVY Tech for more than two decades. Many students and colleagues commented on the encouragement she gave and the positive impact she had on their growth as students and professors.

On August 19, 1989, Kathy married the love of her life, Bill Rogers, and together they built a nurturing and wonderful life that included raising Kris and Jim. Kathy was extremely proud of Kris and Jim for being a wonderful father and uncle. Over their 36-year marriage, Kathy and Bill were blessed with seven grandchildren: Kyla Deible, Karmen Aljebori, Ashton Cook, Greenleigh Cook, Miles Kotys, Mason Kotys and Kravenloft Johnsen, and two great-grandchildren, Sofia and Leo Aljebori. Following retirement from teaching in 2013, Kathy's world revolved around her grandchildren's lives as she often provided care and made them laugh with her joyous sense of humor. All of her grandchildren will forever cherish the love of "Grandma" and the beautiful memories she shared with them.

In addition to her husband Bill, sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kathy is survived by her brothers Bruce (Dee) McCormack of Benzonia, MI and Kevin McCormack of Midland, MI, ex-husband Thomas Johnsen, and many nieces and nephews. Kathy was preceded in death by her father Wallace McCormack, mother Ruth McCormack, brothers Mike (Mickey) McCormack and Paul McCormack, cousin Bonnie Gilmore, step-mother Dorothy McCormack and many other family members.

Kathy had a lifelong friendship bond with Ruth Parks who she grew up with since the age of five. Ruth and her husband David would join the Rogers for Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations over the last few years.

Kathy was a truly special person to everybody who had the blessing of knowing her. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend to thousands of people. Her family was divinely blessed to have experienced her love, kindness, joy, peace and hope that she expressed through the way she lived. Kathy sacrificed and always put others' needs ahead of her own. She loved her husband, sons, grandkids and great-grandkids beyond what words can express. When her husband Bill worked at Valparaiso University, she would always be waiting up for him from late night basketball road trips and would greet the team bus playing "We are The Champions" and passing out her home-made "beer bread" when they won the championship. An excellent seamstress, Kathy loved making quilts, dolls, teddy bears and her ever-popular slipper socks. She made Christmas and holidays special for everyone. Vacations were extra special whether they be to Wisconsin Dells, Put-in-Bay Ohio, Myrtle Beach or Traverse City, Michigan and of course to Ohio to visit her in-laws Don and Lisa Rogers and nephews in Cincinnati and Carol Dangel and her late husband Mike, nieces and late father-in-law Bill Rogers in Akron. When her husband Bill was called into ministry, Kathy sacrificed and supported his journey through seminary and ordination.

Kathy was a woman of deep spiritual faith who embraced the beliefs of the Quaker faith. As we bid an earthly farewell to Kathy Rogers we reflect on a full life marked by faith, complete devotion to her family and a deep commitment to giving to those in need. Kathy's legacy of kindness, compassion, grace and hope for peace made everybody who knew her better people. Through the assurance of Jesus Christ's Resurrection, Kathy is now resting peacefully in the eternal kingdom of heaven. A Celebration of Life Service for Kathleen Ruth Rogers will be held on Saturday, September 13 at Bartholomew Funeral Home, 102 Monroe St. in Valparaiso with visitation from 10 am-noon followed by the service at noon officiated by Rev. Gretchen Gibbs. A luncheon will follow the service at First Presbyterian Church of Portage, 6225 Lute Road in Portage. Memorial contributions may be made to Bethel Presbyterian Church, 110 Hamilton St. in Union Mills, IN 46382 or First Presbyterian Church of Portage, 6225 Luth Rd. in Portage, IN 46368.