Kathryn J. Searls

Kathryn J. Searls, 100, of Sioux City died Thursday, May 19, 2011, at Northern Hills Retirement Community following a brief illness. Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at First Lutheran Church, with the Rev. Alan Wicks officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com. Kathryn was born Dec. 1, 1910, in Leland, Iowa, the daughter of Albert and Helen (Brackey) Lea. She grew up in the Leland area. She came to Sioux City in 1928, and married Warren Searls on Oct. 4, 1930, in Sioux City. He died on Aug. 29, 1978, in Sioux City. Kathryn was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church and had been active in the church circle. She had also been a member of the Azure Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Sons of Norway. She did volunteer work for St. Luke's Hospital. Kathryn enjoyed baking and traveling. Survivors include her son, Donald Searls and his wife, Jean of Piedmont, Mo.; three sisters, Avis Asleson of Oregon, Ella Marlowe of Albert Lea, Minn., and Gladys Miller of Sacramento, Calif.; a brother, Marlin Lea of Pasa Robles, Calif.; four grandchildren, Linda CoStephens and her husband, Rick, Robert Searls and his wife, Connie, Lori Estal, and Patricia Chiesek and her husband, Thomas; six great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two brothers, Irving and Jacob Lea; and one sister, Thelma Linde. Memorials may be made in Kathryn's name to First Lutheran Church or the Shriners Hospital for Children.