Katherine E. Yutzy

Katherine “Kay” Yutzy, 91, of Goshen died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2018 at Greencroft Healthcare.

She was born August 4, 1927 to Emery and Florence (Kramer) Yutzy in Plain City, Ohio.  She grew up on a dairy farm with seven brothers and three sisters attending the Canaan Amish Mennonite Church and was baptized there at age 15.

Kay chose a celibate life of service beginning with voluntary service in Kansas City prior to nursing education at Eastern Mennonite University, formerly College, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and La Junta Mennonite School of Nursing, Colorado.  After graduation she worked as a staff nurse in Otero County Health Dept. as a School and Migratory Laborer Nurse.

In 1959 she completed her BSc. Nursing at Colorado Univ., Boulder.  Her career in nursing education began at Bloomington, Illinois, four years, before entering Case Western Univ. for a Master’s degree.  Joining the Elkhart Mission Network, she continued her teaching in Dhamtari, India and ended when she retired from Goshen College nursing faculty after 17 years there.  In between Kay managed return trips to Dhamtari to assist in upgrading the School of Nursing/Midwifery to a College status where they now have over 300 students in three different nursing programs.

Kay spent one summer in voluntary service in Mississippi as relief nurse in a Holistic Health Clinic, did graduate studies at Indiana University, took trips with Nurse Educator Groups to China, South Africa and Australia.  She was active in the Nurses Association and the Mennonite Nurses Assoc.

In community service she served with Books Abroad Program, AAUW, Great Decision Discussion groups and College Mennonite Church.  After retirement these activities were continued along with voluntary work in Hospice, the Church, Greencroft and Walnut Court, Greencroft. At church she was active in neighborhood group, K-group, adult choir, Home Builder’s Sunday School class, Service committee and visitation.  She taught Sunday school and sang in choirs in each area she served except in India and was a charter member of First Mennonite Church of Bloomington, Illinois.

Kay enjoyed her family, neighbors, friends, her vegetable garden and flower beds.  She was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling in the United States and abroad.

Survivors include three brothers, Paul Yutzy and Allen Yutzy, of Plain City, Ohio and Homer Yutzy of Wauseon, Ohio; two sisters, Ada Schlabach of Sun City, Arizona and Esther Zeitz of Solon, Ohio.  She was Aunt to 36 nieces and nephews and 75 plus great nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; four brothers, Daniel, Norman, Ralph and Valentine; a sister, Lula Thomas.

Friends may call one hour prior to the 11 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 5, 2019 memorial service at College Mennonite Church, Goshen in the Koinonia Room.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the College Mennonite Church Jubilee Fund, Habitat for Humanity or Greencroft Foundation.

An additional memorial service will be Aug. 3, 2019 in Plain City, Ohio.

Yoder-Culp Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.