Obit: Jablonicky, Kathleen Ann (1935 - 2015)

Contact: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Ferguson, Jablonicky, Stevens

----Source: The Tribune - Phonograph (Abbotsford, WI) 9/23/2015

Jablonicky, Kathleen “Katie” Ann (Ferguson) (15 NOV 1935 - 6 AUG 2015)

Kathleen “Katie” Ann Jablonicky died at her rural Colby home on August 6, 2015. She was 79 years old.

She was born to Ernest H. and Nina I. (Stevens) Ferguson on Nov. 15, 1935, in Des Moines, Iowa. She graduated from North Des Moines High School, class of 1954, and attended Iowa State College for two years.

Katie was working as a secretary in San Diego, Calif., when she met Sgt. Thomas R. Jablonicky, USMC. They were married June 30, 1965, in Waukegan, Ill. During the years of his active duty in the Marine Corps, they were stationed in Hawaii, California, North Carolina, Georgia and the Panama Canal Zone.

When Tom retired from the military they moved to Wisconsin near other members of Tom’s family. Katie served as town clerk for the town of Colby for 13 years.

Reading was Katie’s favorite pastime but she had many interests including spinning, weaving, quilt-making and woodcarving, among others. For many years she was part of the area’s bird watchers for the Christmas and spring migratory bird counts.

Katie chose not to have a funeral here in Wisconsin and was buried in Des Moines at Laurel Hill Cemetery next to her parents and both pairs of grandparents.

She is survived by her husband, Tom; son, Derek Jablonicky (Jessica) of DePere; grandson, Caleb Jablonicky; and brother, Joseph Ferguson (Nancy) of Rockford, Ill.

The family greeted friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015, at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street in Des Moines. Burial followed at Laurel Hill Cemetery.

Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home of Colby and Hamilton’s Funeral Home of Des Moines were entrusted with the family’s arrangements.