Katherine L. Gelven

Katherine L. Gelven, age 94, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2024, at Stonebridge of Owensville. 

She was born November 27, 1929, in Freedom, MO, a daughter to the late William and Hannah (Bogle) Buscher. Katherine was one of eleven siblings.  

On December 2, 1950 she was united in marriage to Wilbert Gelven in Linn. Wilbert preceded her in death on November 12, 1986. 

Katherine was a lifelong area resident and had been employed for over 30 years as a factory worker in the area working for both the International and Brown Shoe companies. She was a member of the St. Alexander Catholic Church in Belle. 

Katherine was constantly working to stay busy. She was passionate about gardening, both fruits and vegetables. She loved canning as well as selling her goods to local residents (just to engage with people). She liked to quilt, sew and do embroidery when she wasn’t outside. Katherine loved DIY projects, mowing the yard, and taking care of her home. She had a sweet, giving, and kind personality. Socially, she would carry-on a conversation with anyone. Katherine’s faith in God was strong and she will be missed greatly by her family and friends.

Katherine is survived by: two sons, G.W. Gelven and his wife Donna of Kansas City and Robert Gelven and his wife Stacey of Ada, MI; seven grandchildren, Travis Gelven as his wife Roxanne, Michelle Franken and her husband Justin, Craig Gelven and his fiancé Amanda Wilson, Grant Gelven and his wife Tara, Darcy Hensley and her husband Kyle, Derek Gelven and his wife Kara and Dylan Gelven; eleven great-grandchildren, Cole, Ava, Kennedy, Savanna, Avery, Brooklyn, Berkerly, Cooper, Taylor, Jackson, and Hannah; one sister, Veneda Brautigam of Washington; and one daughter-in-law, Susie Gelven as well as many extended family members and friends. 

In addition to her husband, Katherine was preceded in death by one son, Danny Gelven and nine siblings, John, Oscar, Everette, Aimee, Silas, Syrene, Josephine, Ben, and Clarence. 

Visitation for Katherine will be on Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at the St. Alexander Catholic Church from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Fr. Philip Kane officiating. Interment will be in Memorial Gardens near Bland. 

Expression of sympathy may be made to Mercy Hospice.