Katherine Vastenhout, 81, was born on June 3, 1930 on the family farm near Rock Rapids, IA.  She was baptized in the Reformed church in Rock Rapids, IA.   She was the daughter of Wilbur and Susie (Tilstra) Kroontje.  She went to country school at Midland 3 and 4 through the eighth grade.   Katherine was united in marriage with Wilbur (Bill) Vastenhout on May 29, 1951 and they enjoyed nearly 45 wonderful years together.  They lived in Washington while Bill was in the Navy, and then made residence on the family farm near Leota, MN.  Later in life Katherine and Bill built in house in Leota, MN in which to retire.

Katherine was a devoted homemaker and proud mother who loved to crochet, and play the organ.  She enjoyed working in her garden and canning food for the family.  Each year Katherine enjoyed planting flowers and spending time in her flower beds.  Katherine was a member of the Bethel Reformed Church in Leota, MN, and enjoyed attending ladies aid and teaching Sunday school.

After Bill passed away in 1996 she continued to live in their Leota home until 2007 when she entered the Edgebrook Nursing Home and lived their until she passed away December 28, 2011 at the Pipestone, MN hospital.

Katherine is survived by three sons, Bruce (Jeannine) Vastenhout of Luverne, MN; Craig (Delores) Vastenhout of Leota, MN; and Royce (Jenna) Vastenhout of Dell Rapids, SD, 5 grandchildren, 2  great grand children; one sister Dorothy Ricehill of Luverne, MN; 3 brothers, Gerrit (Harriet) Kroontje of Leota, MN, Marvin (Janice) Kroontje of Magnolia, MN, and John  (Rachel) Kroontje of Kenneth, MN, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  She was preceded in death by her husband Bill, granddaughter Teresa, brother Willie, and her parents.

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