Kooyman Wood Obituary (1930 - 2014)

On February 17,2014 Kathryn passed on at Carrington Place in Toledo Iowa. Kathryn Kooyman Wood was born on 12/12/1930 in Des Moines, Iowa to Berl J. Kooyman Sr and Iva Murrow Kooyman. She grew up in Swan Iowa. The family then moved to a farm outside of Palmyra Iowa. Kathryn grew up helping harness the draft horses, riding a draft horse home from the field. She also helped her Mother with the cooking, and baking- She was in 4-H. played basketball and was active in Church and school activities. She was united in marriage to Ralph L. Wood 4/14/1950. The lived in the Indianola area. They had one daughter, Lisa K. Wood. Kathryn and Ralph were foster parents, early on. They sponsored and were active leaders for the First Baptist youth group. Kathryn was involved with horses all her life, starting with her fathers draft horses that they used on the farm. Then later she and her father and her brother Junior showed horses..She continued riding and showing horses, including Paint Horses, a Mustang and Quarter Horses.Kathryn was active in local saddle clubs, and the Pony of America's Club. She was a 4-H leader in Warren County as well as serving on governing boards and was a County Fair Horse superintendent for many years. She was a member of ABWA. Kathryn and Ralph enjoyed 31 years together before Ralph died on Janurary 22, 1981. Kathryn and Ralph were a supportive couple, enthusiastic companions and were best friends to each other during his years of operating a service station in Indianola. Kathryn worked at Warren County Human Services for over 20 years. She started out as a social worker,then started the food stamp program,was a income maintenance worker and was the co- County Director. Kathryn then transferred to the Department of Human Services Refugee Unit as a supervisor, and trouble shooter for Polk County. She then moved to Toledo, Iowa as the County Director for Tama and Powshiek Counties. She appreciated working with the different cultures, and being involved with multiple community groups. When she semi-retired from being Tama and Poweshiek County Director her next challenge was starting the Tama County Case Management Unit. She wrote the policies and procedures. started the unit and supervised it. She also worked for CARF, traveling all over the country completing surveys at Group Homes and Treatment Programs. When she retired, she focused on helping people and animals. The Soroptimist Group was another of the professional groups she belonged to. Kathryn was very passionate about kids and animals not being thrown away. She also supported the environment, and companion animal groups. She was always helping people help themselves, making sure children and animals were taken care of. She was always willing to set up horse, cat and dog adoptions. She was a friend to people and animals. She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Wood of Toledo, Iowa, and Lisa's friend Mark Gordon, North Sioux City, SD, Her brother John Kooyman (Audrey) of Ottumwa. She is Preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Junior, and Rex (Sharon). She will be buried beside Ralph at the Indianola IOOF Cementry. Visitation for Kathryn will begin at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Peterson Funeral Home, 602 E.. Salem Ave., Indianola, Iowa followed by a 2:00 p.m. Graveside Service. online condolences can be made to www.petersonfuneralservice.com .