Kathryn F. Schwake

Kathryn F. Schwake, 92, of Oak Harbor, died early on a cold, snowy Friday, January 24, 2014, at Riverview Healthcare Campus, Oak Harbor, OH. It was a night much like her birthday, January 14, 1922, near Williams Center, OH. She was the third child of Henry Mark and Ola DeEtta Shettel Hardy. After graduation from Washington Twp. High School in 1939, Kathryn worked various clerical/ bookkeeping jobs. On January 13, 1951, she married Rowland J. Schwake in Toledo, OH. He preceded her in death in 2006. Kathryn was a member of Ashland Church in Oregon. She served as a Sunday School teacher and was a member of the Christonians Adult Sunday School Class when the church was located on Ashland Avenue in Toledo. Gardening and nature were lifelong passions, and she treasured any opportunity to share her knowledge of nature and growing and propagating plants. She was a Master Gardener with OSU Extension and was an Ohio Association of Garden Clubs OAGC certified flower judge for many years. She also served as a Regional Director for OAGC. She especially liked growing daylilies and hostas. Kathryn was active in the Town and Country Garden Club, Oak Harbor, and Whispering Meadows Garden Club, Fremont. She also organized and advised the 4-H Green Thumb Jr. Garden Club in Ottawa County. Equal to her love of gardening was her love of travel with her husband. They enjoyed many overseas trips and also visited all 50 states, often while attending Elderhostel programs. Kathryn liked taking lots of photographs on her travels, she was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing and cross stitching. Kathryn is survived by her daughters, Ola Jean Mike Schafer, Russia, OH, Marcia Don Jess, Port Clinton, OH, and Jan Monte Dudgeon Sauvey, Round Rock, TX; grandchildren, Aliana Mark Mabelitini, Kyle Schafer, Philip Schafer, Curtis Schafer, Ethan Schafer, Zachary Jess, Shannon Vince Ebbitt, Molly Steve Godwin, and Ariel Sauvey,; six great grandchildren; two step-great grandchildren; brother, Walter Goldie Louise Hardy, Maumee, OH, and sister-in-law, Thelma Whitmer, Bowling Green, OH. In addition to her parents and husband, Rowland, Kathryn was preceded in death by brother, Clarence Hardy and sister, Florence Dean Miner. Following her wishes, a celebration of life service will take place Saturday, April 12, 2014, 1:00 p.m. at Ashland Church, 2350 Starr Ave., Oregon, OH. Memorial contributions may be directed to the OAGC Foundation, Inc., 4252 Waterfront Ct., Fairfield, OH 45014; Mohican Outdoor School, 5370 Bunkerhill North Rd. Butler, OH 44822; or to the donors choice. Robinson-Walker Funeral Home Crematory, Oak Harbor, OH is assisting the family with arrangements.