Kathryn Wielgopolan

Kathryn Howell Rowe Wielgopolan, 52, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away, Sunday, April 15, 2012 at Ottawa Regional Hospital and Healthcare Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 20, 2012 at St. Columba Church with Rev. Ray Guthrie officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Thursday, April 19, 2012 at Ottawa Funeral Home. Burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park. Another celebration of life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro, Illinois on May 19, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. for family and friends. Kathryn was born June 8, 1959 in Hillsboro, Illinois, the second child to David M. Rowe and Jeanne Howell Rowe. She graduated in 1979 from J. Edward King School of X-ray at Memorial Medical Center in Springfield, Illinois, and moved to Ottawa to start her career as a radiologic technologist at the Community Hospital of Ottawa. She then became a diagnostic sonographer and continued her education to receive multiple certifications. She married Michael Wielgopolan October 2, 1982 at St. Mary's Church in Naplate and became the loving parents of three children, Dane, Kylie, and Chloe. She is survived by her husband, Mike; her children, Dane of San Diego, and Kylie and Chloe, both of Ottawa; her father; her sisters, Liz (Tim) Huber and Gigi (Mark) Husted; her brother, John (Jan) Rowe; father-in-law, Frank Wielgopolan; brother-in-laws, Steve (Vickie) Wielgopolan and Tim (Eddie) Wielgopolan; sister-in-law, Patty (Ray) Ortiz; fifteen nieces and nephews; three great nieces and nephews; and her beloved dog, Ellie. She was preceded in death by her mother, mother-in-law, and grandparents. Kate was proud to call Ottawa home. Her spirit of generosity and love for friends, family, colleagues, patients, and strangers alike, was profound. Pallbearers will be Zach Bledsoe, Brennan Wielgopolan, Luke Wielgopolan, Noah Ortiz, Tim Huber, and Mark Husted. To continue her legacy, memorials may be made to the Women's Healthcare Center in Ottawa, Illinois or for a scholarship to be established in her name.