Kathryn Shaw

Kathryn F. “Kay” Shaw, 81, of Grundy Center, Iowa, died from natural causes on Thursday, August 27, 2009 at the Grundy County Memorial Hospital Long Term Care Unit while under the Care of Cedar Valley Hospice.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 am on Monday, August 31, 2009 at the Grundy Center United Methodist Church with Pastor Matt Miller officiating.  Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Grundy Center.  Visitation is from 5 pm to 7 pm on Sunday at Engelkes-Abels Funeral Home in Grundy Center.  Memorials may be directed to the Kling Library, Cedar Valley Hospice, or the Grundy Center United Methodist Church.

Kathryn was born September 4, 1927 in Gladbrook, Iowa, daughter of Ross and Emma (Wagner) Vest. She had one brother and a step-brother. She was raised and educated in Gladbrook, graduating from Gladbrook High School in 1944. She studied music at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa for a year and transferred to Teacher’s College (UNI) in Cedar Falls majoring in elementary education. She taught school in Stanley, Iowa for one year. On June 14, 1947 she married Warner Sparenborg Jr. They lived in Grundy Center where Kathryn worked at the Grundy County Assessor’s Office for five years. They had two children, Robert and Nancy.In 1960 she began employment with Grundy National Bank as a secretary and later worked in the GNB Insurance Agency. She was a licensed insurance agent and held the title of office manager, providing customer service, managing office procedures and overlooking the computer system for the agency. She retired in 1992.





Her husband, Warner died July 30, 1973 and on July 6, 1974 she was united in marriage to Wayne Shaw.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, serving as Sunday school teacher, church treasurer, president of Wesleyan Service Guild, and also served on several church committees. Other organizations included BPW, PTA, American Cancer Society, Woman’s Club, and the Grundy Center Ambassadors. Kathryn also volunteered for the American Cancer Society and Hospice.





Her hobbies included reading, playing cards, stitching, crocheting, cooking, golf, tennis, camping, and flower gardening. She loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Kathryn also enjoyed wintering in Texas.





Preceding her in death was her first husband, Warner; her husband Wayne on February 16, 2006; her parents; brother, Karl Vest; step-brother, Frank Vest; and a step-son, Richard Shaw. She is survived by her son, Robert Sparenborg of Grundy Center; daughter, Nancy (Gary) Steinfeldt of Eldora; step-daughter-in-law, Cheryl Berger of Vinton, Iowa; and step-sons, David Shaw (Barbara) of Stillwater, Minnesota and Don Shaw (Valerie) of Platteville, Wisconsin; and 13 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Kathryn will be greatly missed by her family and friends.