Kathleen M. (Kathy) Whitney, passed away on June 1, 2022, at the age of 90 at Lifecare Living Center in Casper, WY, surrounded by family. Kathleen was born May 27, 1932, in Chamberlain, SD to Clayton E. and Mary Bell Rosenberger. Kathleen graduated in the top 1/3 of her class from Chamberlain High School in May 1950. After graduation she was employed at several companies in Chamberlain, the final being Brule County Superintendent of Schools, and as fill-in teacher at a rural school. In late 1951 she went to visit cousins in Rapid City, SD where she met an airman named John A. Whitney, Jr. After a whirlwind romance they planned a wedding for January 14, 1952, but the Military had other plans and John was sent that date TDY to Ft. Hood, TX. Kathy then joined him, and they were married February 9, 1952, in the Chapel on Base at Ft. Hood. They returned to Rapid City after 3 months of TDY as John was still actively employed by the USAF. Son, John (Jack) Patrick, was born December 22, 1952, at Rapid City AFB (now Ellsworth AFB). In 1953 the family moved to Chicago, IL where they resided for 9 years. Kathy was employed as a clerk-typist. Their daughter, Teri Ann was born June 9, 1956, in Chicago. They moved to South Dakota in 1961 and to Casper in 1966 where they bought their first home. Kathy enjoyed working as well as being a homemaker and was employed as an EMT and Medical Assistant, 5 years for Dr. T.L. Holman and 9 years for Dr. Nelson Frissell. After an auto accident in June 1979, she was forced to re-cooperate for a short time. It was not long after that she took a job in Human Resources/Payroll for the Crude Company for 7 years, City of Casper for 2 years, and was Clerk Treasurer for the Town of Bar Nunn for 20 years. She retired in 2007 at the age of 75 to care for her husband, John, who was very ill, but he passed away December 31, 2009, of failing heart valves and complications from a stroke.
John and Kathleen enjoyed square dancing, playing cards, and traveling. Kathy was a Certified Emergency Medical Technician, member of the American Businesswomen's Association, Sweet Adeline's (Women's Barbershop) and a 20-year member of WAMCAT (Wyoming Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers) where she served from 1988 to 2007. Board Member, Secretary, President, Past President and received the prestigious plaque as "CLERK TREASURER OF THE YEAR" for both 1992 and 2001. In 1991 she received her "Certified Municipal Clerk" award and in 1994 was involved in going forward for achievement as "Master Certified Municipal Clerk." Due to retirement, she was unable to complete the Master Certification Award. She was also a 7-year member of WAM/JPIC.
Kathy was preceded in death by husband John, father Clayton, mother Mary, brothers Roland and Donald, sister-in-law Eileen, and Cousin Arlis Rosenberger She is survived by son John (Jack), daughter-in- law Carol, daughter Teri, Son-in-Law Ruslan Zhelbakov. grand- daughter Venessa and great grandchildren Trevor, Wade, Aspen and Cowan, cousins Betty Hitson and family, Jack Hammon and family, plus other relatives as well as a great many dear friends.
In lieu of flowers family are asking for memorials to HUA (Hearts United for Animals) P.O. Box 286-Auburn, NE 68305 or Casper Humane Society as Kathy loved her pets dearly.
Services will be held at Newcomers Chapel on June 18th at 3p.m. following a viewing beginning at 2:30 p.m. and ending at 2:55 p.m. A reception in the Teton Room at the Come On Inn will be held immediately after the services.
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