Standing among the golden canola fields of Denmark, with her warmth and light mirrored in every sunny bloom, Kathy was a connector, a nurse, a mother and so much more to those who knew her. In that field of yellow, her endless spirit flickers on.
Kathryn Arlene Lemmon (1940 - 2025) – known over the years to many as Kay, Kathy, Mom or Mama, Nurse Kathy, Grandma Kassy, or Babe – passed away gently and unexpectedly on Saturday, August 2, 2025 with loved ones by her side. She was 85.
Kathy was a daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, nurse, friend, grandmother, great-grandmother, feminist, mentor, traveler, and a beloved pillar in every community she joined. She was born at home on her family’s farm in Noble County, Indiana, and from the start, her life radiated warmth, purpose, and love.
A proud RN graduate from Parkview Methodist School of Nursing, Kathy spent more than four decades as a pediatric nurse at Porter Memorial Hospital in Valparaiso and St. Anthony’s Hospital in Michigan City. If there was a Code Blue, she was the first to respond. She also worked for Infant and Child Special Care providing pediatric home care service for premature infants and often made house calls in the middle of the night. She helped save or improve tens of thousands of lives with her hands, her heart, and her instincts.
She lived the values of kindness, service, and inclusion throughout her life. Kathy was a “pay it forward” person long before the phrase became popular. Her Thanksgiving tables welcomed blended families. She also opened her home and heart to a Danish foreign exchange student, who needed a new host family midway through his senior year; Allan became an “adopted” son who would remain a member of the family despite the distance and time zones that separated them. Kathy made strangers feel like lifelong friends, often by finding a single thread of connection and knitting a conversation together easily.
As a community volunteer, Kathy provided decades of service over the years as a member of both the Porter County Board of Health and the Planning Commission. She also staffed polling places during countless elections. She founded and sustained a local Women’s Group that has met monthly for more than five decades, creating a social fabric of friendship and resilience that helped raise families and hold their neighborhood community together. After moving to a new community in Valparaiso, she joined a women's faith-based group called Mary Study Group; its roots were spiritual though it also created another opportunity for its members to support each other during later life challenges that few were prepared for.
Kathy was also the first in the family to demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit by founding The Patchwork Place, a home-based business in the mid-1970s that sold handmade crafts, of which many were created by local women. Kathy’s entrepreneurial drive inspired her children to take risks in life whether it was moving to a new city, building a new business, or exploring a foreign land.
From her first marriage, Kathy raised four children. She was their biggest cheerleader and often chauffeur during their teens. Later in their lives, whenever her children needed her, she always came to their aid. Kathy cheered them on in every endeavor, guided them through life’s challenges, and prioritized their education, which allowed each one to earn an advanced degree. After her children finished college, Kathy went back to school herself, completing her bachelor's degree at the College of St. Francis with a perfect 4.0 GPA while still working full time. Her children were immensely proud of her commitment and achievement.
Kathy, in her 60s, met and married Jerry Lemmon, who was a high school classmate though during school they ran in different circles. During their more than 20 years together, they explored the world, traveling to the French Alps to cheer on her children competing in a triathlon, the Danish countryside to attend Allan’s wedding, New Mexico’s balloon festival, the most southern point in the US in Key West, and the farthest west in Hawaii. No destination was visited more often than Sault Ste. Marie to watch ships pass through the Soo Locks. She also ventured overseas with friends and family to Canada, Germany, Italy, Niger, and Russia, collecting keepsakes, postcards, and most importantly, memories. In her home, she surrounded herself with the souvenirs of those travels and a life well lived.
Through her marriage to Jerry, Kathy’s family grew to include seven children, 12 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. She was a tireless caregiver and a “surrogate mother” to many, building deep bonds with her grandchildren and shaping strong, resilient future leaders.
Kathy was a social butterfly, yet had a healthy case of FOMO. Thus, she hated to leave a party or family gathering early; family observed during her final moments her desire to remain a part of the conversation. Her radiance and smile were infectious; her presence lit up rooms; and her encouragement lifted spirits. She was our sunshine, warming and brightening the lives around her with rays of love.
Kathy leaves behind a vast network of loved ones who feel connected because she connected them. She didn’t just build relationships, she stitched families, neighborhoods, and communities together. In her passing, we lose not only her, but also some of the threads that connected us. However, even in her passing she has helped us establish new connections.
We are all her children now. The lives she touched. The love she shared. The sunshine she gave freely. We will carry her with us.
She is survived by her devoted husband, Jerry Lemmon; her seven children: Kristine Martz Givens (Kris Grube), John Martz (Rhonda Curry Martz), Joseph Martz, David Martz (Robin), Jeffrey Lemmon, Amy McCoy (Chad), and Chad Lemmon (Minda); her 12 grandchildren: Josiah, Victoria, Esther, Hannah, Kirstie, Rebekah, Alena, Mollie, Jonah, Catherine, Blake, and Caroline; and her four great-grandchildren: Lincoln, Benjamin, Kaia, and Henry. Also remembered with love are her dear nieces and nephew: Joanne Wolff, Richard Delanoy, and Kerri Berry.
A celebration of life gathering will be held on October 12, 2025 at 2:00pm at the Harre Union Ballroom at the Valparaiso University. All who knew her are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hilltop Neighborhood House or PBS, two causes that reflect Kathy’s commitment to family, education, equity, and community.
GUESTBOOK
I am so sorry to hear this. My sincerest condolences to Dave and Robin and the entire family. May the wonderful memories sustain you during the days ahead. -Joanne Ingledue
My deepest condolences to Jerry and the entire family. Kathy was my next door neighbor and I was just getting to know her. Her influence, kindness, and social grace will continue to live on in our community. She is an example to all of living life to the fullest! -Dolores Mueller
Kristine, Undoubtedly, your Mom made a lasting impact on numerous people throughout her life, and I can only imagine how that has touched your heart. May your family’s fond memories of her bring you comfort at this difficult time and in the future. -Jennifer (Hill) Pilarski
I am so sorry for everyone's loss because it is not just her family that will miss her. She and I worked together many years at the old Porter Hospital in Peds. She was great to work with as well as a great person. We supported each other. We met again at RN luncheons after retirement. I remember her once at one of the luncheons wearing a simple black dress and black stockings and she was stunning. I think of her everyday. Just to know she is no longer here makes me sad. -Cindi Aitken
Kathy obit was beautiful and accurate, as we entered into the senior part of our lives it was great to have a friend like Kathy to travel that road. Farewell Kathy, I will think of you often with love. Stay strong Jerry and concentrate on the good years. Love, -Mary Jean Hayes
My deepest sympathy to David and their entire family. Kathy certainly touched my lives in so many ways. I knew Kathy through David and my son's friendship. Also, we worked together as RN's. She was a wonderful friend and nurse. May our heavenly father welcome her with open arms. -Betty Mantel
