Kathryn Rae Strand was born February 27, 1950, to Raymond and Charlotte Strand in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Kathy came in second place to Barb, and was followed by Joyce, Jona, Robin and Johnny. Growing up, the siblings had their fights but as they got older, there was nothing separating them. Routine Sunday dinners that she often made us late for as she usually had all the kids and would take country roads all the way. Her great sense of direction often got us lost between Villisca and Clarinda. Her sneaky sense of humor was apparent at an early age as she tortured her siblings routinely. A couple favorite memories are her telling Joyce that she could fly like Mary Poppins if she jumped off the outhouse holding an umbrella and the ability to convince every single grandkid that there was a random pink elephant in the pasture.

From kindergarten to 4th grade Kathy went to country school where she had a 2-mile walk (uphill both ways). In 5th grade she began attending school in Glenwood. She moved schools for the final time when she and her family moved to Villisca. She finished her last 2 years and graduated in 1968.

While in school in Villisca, Kathy met her son-to-be husband John Clark. Her parents were opposed to the two getting together but John persevered because Kathy had "the best legs in town." John proposed to Kathy in her driveway around Christmas in 1968. The two then married on September 14, 1969.

The newlyweds purchased a home on 1st St. in Villisca, where they lived until they welcomed their first daughter, Kimberly Rae in 1973. Then in 1981 their second daughter, Kyla, was born. Being a mother came naturally. Her nieces and nephews always had a 2nd mom named Aunt Kathy and children not even her own always found their way to her.

Although being a mom was great, nothing compares to being a grandma. Whether she was called "Nama" or "Grandma Candy", she answered, "And you better not be in the way!" So many adventures with the grandkids. Without grandma, they wouldn't know how to shoot BB guns, skip rocks, drive illegally, camp or cook. Her love was given unconditionally.

Although her health was deteriorating, you would never know it. She was tougher than 3 grown men and never complained. She had no intentions of missing a "sister day" or any event that a grandchild was participating in. She was the leader of all holiday gatherings and random "I'm bored" weekend adventures.

If you knew her, you liked her. You may not even know why…but you wanted to be near her. She leaves a void that will never be filled.

Preceding her in death were her parents; brother: John Strand; and brothers-in-law: Leonard Wingerd and Kelvin Jones. Survivors include her daughters: Kimberly Sowers and husband Shane and Kyla Clark and friend Jason Cole; grandchildren: Logan Currin; Brodee Sowers; Brayden Sowers; Dallan Smith and friend Marvin Bontrager; and Cadence Smith; great grandson: Cody Bontrager and many other relatives and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 AM Monday, January 29, 2024, at the First Covenant Church in Red Oak, Iowa.

Nelson-Boylan-LeRette Funeral Chapel is assisting the family with cremation services.