Kathryn Bessman

Kathryn Bessman, 74, of Alden, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023 at Scenic Manor. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Monday, January 8, 2024 at the Immanuel Memorial United Church of Christ in Alden. She will be laid to rest at the Alden Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until service time on Monday at the church. Woodley Funeral Home of Iowa Falls is caring for Kathryn and her family. Kathryn Jeanne (Mattingly) Bessman, the daughter of Bernard and Bethene (Faulkner) Mattingly was born on October 1, 1949 in Webster City, Iowa. Kathy graduated from Clarion High School in 1968 and completed schooling to retouch negatives for photographs. On August 22, 1976 Kathy was united in marriage to Gary Bessman of Alden, Iowa at St. John’s Catholic Church in Clarion. They made their home on the family farm in Alden. Kathy worked on the farm with Gary and enjoyed keeping up the farm by mowing, taking care of many outdoor cats and for years maintained a beautiful garden. She was often found crocheting or crafting which she shared her talents with her family. Those left to cherish her memory are her husband, Gary Bessman of Alden, Iowa; sister, Kelley (Tim) O’Keefe of Manly; sisters-in-law, Kathy McGrath of Branson, Missouri and Linda Bessman of Chattanooga, Tennessee; brother-in-law, Tom (Penny) Bessman of Elberton, Georgia; nieces and nephews, Megan O’Keefe (Dylan Mueller) of Manly, Iowa, Molly O’Keefe (Mac Spotts) of Fairbank, Iowa, Kathleen O’Keefe of Mason City, Iowa, Conor O’Keefe of Manly, Iowa, Patrick McGrath (Lisa) of Branson West, Missouri, Dawn McGrath of Springfield, Missouri, Abigayle Bessman (Aaron Parisot) of Fair Play, South Carolina, Emily Parham (Cory) of Elberton, Georgia; great nieces, Collins Kaye of Manly, Iowa, Lindsey Brey (Clinton) of Branson West, Missouri, Lauren McGrath of Chicago, Illinois, Kaitlyn and Becca Dolechek of Springfield, Missouri, Adaline, Ashlyn and Ansley Parham of Elberton, Georgia; great-great nephew, Hayden McGrath of Branson West, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her parents, Bernard and Bethene Mattingly; mother and father in-law, Keith and Eunice Bessman and her brother-in-law, Mike McGrath.

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Kathryn Bessman

October 1, 1949 - December 27, 2023