Kathryn M. Friend

Kathryn Mae Friend (Sturtz) of Galion passed away peacefully in the care of Hospice, at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, on Thursday, February 22, 2018. Born July 27, 1940 to Fredrick (Fritz) and Jemima (Scott) Sturtz, in Sulphur Springs, Ohio. Kathy was 77 years old.



Beloved wife of 57 years to John and cherished mother of Brenda (Tim) Brown, John (Kim) Friend Jr., Carol (David) Rinehart, Thomas Friend and Laura (Jeff) Brown. Loving Grandmother to Megan & Matthew Brown, John (JW) Friend, Kaci & Kalvin Rinehart, Griffin, Sydney & Logan Friend, and Samantha & Brett Brown. Kathy was preceded in death by her sister Laura (Laurie) Sturtz, and leaves behind siblings Charles (Judy), Melvin (Joan), John (Silvia), and Randy (Nancy) Sturtz. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews and many, many special friends.



Kathy attended Sulphur Springs High School ’58 and Elkhart Institute of Technology class of 1959. She worked as a Histology technician for the Cleveland Clinic from 1959-1961. She was proud to call herself a stay-at-home mom for 18 years. Kathy returned to the workforce at Lakewood High School as Science Lab Technician and an Attendance Officer from 1979-1994, when she retired to “country living” in Mount Gilead, Ohio.



Kathy was always active and she never met a stranger. Most recently she enjoyed being a part of the Morrow County Quilting Guild, TOPS, Hicks and Chicks (square dancing) and the YMCA.



Kathy’s family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 27 from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820 where her funeral will be held Wednesday at 11:00 am with Chaplain Anne Pairan officiating. She will be laid to rest in Union Cemetery, Sulphur Springs where she will join her parents, grandparents, sister, and many other family members.



Memorial donations may be made payable to Snuggled in Hope Quilts or OhioHealth Hospice and given through the funeral home.