Kathryn Okeson

KATHRYN 'KAY' C. OKESON, 86 ROCKFORD - Kathryn "Kay" C. Okeson, 86, of Rockford died Saturday, Jan. 28, 2012, at home. Born July 22, 1925, in Rockford, daughter of John and Hillevi (Nelson) Roebuck. Kay was a 1943 graduate of East High School and graduated from SwedishAmerican School of Nursing in 1947. She married Gilbert Okeson on May 14, 1949, in Rockford. She worked for Visiting Nurses Association, a private duty nurse in all of the area hospitals, and later worked for SwedishAmerican Hospital as an RN until her retirement in 1973. She later served as a volunteer at SwedishAmerican Hospital with her husband. She performed as a soloist for weddings, funerals, and other events for many years in the Rockford area. Kay was a past Queen of the Daughters of the Nile, Alabet Temple 31, where she was also a member of the chorus. She was a member of the Swedish Historical Society, The Red Hat Society, the Classic Chorale, the VNA Retirees and previously the Mendelssohn Chorale. She attended Alpine Lutheran Church, where she was active in Faith Circle and a past member of the church council and choir. She is survived by husband, Gilbert; daughter, Patricia Volkert; and son, Karl (Debra) Okeson, all of Rockford. She is predeceased by parents; sister, Margaret Ekvall; and son-in-law, Rodney Volkert. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at Alpine Lutheran Church with the Rev. Dr. Richard J. Meier officiating. Visitation from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at Olson Funeral and Cremation Services, Fred C. Olson Chapel, 1001 Second Ave., and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. before the service in the church. Burial in Arlington Memorial Park. Family prefers memorials to Alpine Lutheran Church, 5001 Forest View Ave., Rockford IL 61108 or OSF Hospice, 9951 Rock Cut Crossing, Loves Park IL 61111. To share a memory or online condolence, visit olsonfh.com.