Kathleen Dinges

Kathleen Mary Patricia (Ratigan) Dinges, 91, of Sioux City, formerly of Odebolt, Iowa, died in the prayerful embrace of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren Tuesday, March 18, 2008, in Sioux City.

Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sioux City, with the Rev. Gary Snyder officiating. Burial will be in St. Martin's Cemetery, Odebolt. Visitation with the family will be 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, with a rosary at 7 p.m., at the church. Arrangements are under the direction of Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Condolences may be sent online to www.meyerbroschapels.com.

Kathleen was born Sept. 23, 1916, in rural Sac County, Iowa, the daughter of Walter and Martha (Driscoll) Ratigan. She grew up in rural Sac County and graduated from Odebolt High School.

She married George N. Dinges on Feb. 12, 1941, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Auburn, Iowa. The couple lived in the Dinges family farm outside of Odebolt, where they farmed and started their family. George passed away Jan. 25, 1957. She continued living on the farm, raising their 11 children from ages 9 months to 15 years of age. She moved to Sioux City in 1976 and made her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Mary and Robert White.

She was an active member of St. Martin's Catholic Church in Odebolt for many years. She was an active member of the Catholic Daughters of America and Diocesan Council of Catholic Women at that time. She was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church in Sioux City and active in the Altar Society. The greatest treasures in her life were her devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary and her love of the Catholic faith. She also was a Third Order Carmelite.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Coleen and Tom Twohig of Jackson, Neb., Martha and Brendan Burchard of Sioux City, Mike and Mary Dinges of Omaha, Kathryn Smithey of Iowa City, Iowa, Mary and Robert White of Sioux City, George Dinges of Spokane, Wash., Ken and Patti Dinges of Jackson, Neb., Jim Dinges of Jackson, Joan and Dr. Tom Schryver of Sioux City and Angela and Mark O'Tool of Omaha; and a daughter-in-law, Marge Dinges of Omaha. Her memory will always be cherished by her 10 living children and spouses; 44 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; a great-great-granddaughter and eight expected new births this year. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Dennis Dinges; four brothers, Walter, Edward, Thomas and Bernard Ratigan; a sister, Mary Malloy; a grandson, Kurt Dinges; a great-granddaughter, Kathleen White; and a great-grandson, Ryan Graffia.

Pallbearers will be Steven, Richard, William, Jeffrey, Daniel, James and Eric White.

Memorials in her name may be made to Trinity Heights in Sioux City or Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools.