Kathleen Ruth Seamans

On Thursday, November 28, 2024, Kathy Seamans heard the words of our Savior, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” as she peacefully entered the gates of heaven surrounded by loving family at her home.

Kathleen Ruth Regenold was born October 2, 1934, to Oliver Patrick and Margaret (Dietz) Regenold of Fairbank Iowa. She was the oldest daughter, with one older brother and seven siblings younger than herself.  She grew up quickly and assumed many of the “motherly” duties of the home and family.

Kathy excelled academically as a student and as an athlete on the Oran High School basketball team.  It was Charles Seamans who really captured her heart and whisked her away to start their life together while he was serving in the Army and married on July 19, 1952.  They enjoyed 63 years of marriage and welcomed five children; Chuck, Jr, Lawrnie, Mary, Judi and Jani.  Through the years they only grew stronger together throughout the trials, struggles, hardship and losses.  She showed inner strength that came from her deep faith in God that helped sustain her, our family and anyone who had the privilege of hearing her testimony.

Kathy’s adult life began as a farm wife and mother to their children.  She was a multi-talented woman, amazing cook, wonderful seamstress, expert bookkeeper, determined farmer and loving mom. She designed and built homes, crafted beautiful wedding dresses for family members and always enjoyed a new challenge.

Kathy will be well known for her sharing of food, (especially pies, homemade noodles, applesauce, and cinnamon rolls) and her sharing of her time and visiting with others. Her love, faith, patience, kindness, generosity, caring, and strength have been visible her whole life.  From teaching Sunday school or leading a 4-H club to serving on committees at the extension office or church, Kathy has been an active member of society.  Through her actions, prayers, hugs, and love, she showered others with kindness and generosity.

She was a hard worker, but was sure to include fun and travel in her family’s life. Her children remember well attending the New York World’s Fair in 1964, all in matching shirts and dresses, sewn by mom for the trip. Camping, boating, square dancing and pool parties were regular activities for the family.  So many other trips were enjoyed but none delighted her heart as much as the “Grandparent Memory Trips” and the positive influence she had on her grand (and now) great- grandchildren.

Many mission trips to Mexico were experienced as she organized and gave many friends and family members the fun of travel and helping others.

In the 1970’s Kathy added Chickasaw County Judicial Magistrate to her list of careers, serving for 18 years. She thoroughly enjoyed the learning involved with the position and went on to help lead seminars and create teaching manuals for other layman magistrates.

In 2017, Kathy was nominated by a dear niece as “Mother of the Year” where she went through a rigorous process and was honored to be awarded “Merit Mother of the Year.”

After the passing of her husband Chuck, she was surprisingly blessed with a second love and married another special Seamans’ man, Lowell. They enjoyed many friends and times in Florida as snowbirds and in Iowa with her family.

Most important in Kathy’s life was sharing her love for Jesus.  Her faith in God was paramount throughout her life, and was what carried her through the tragic losses of three of her children and a son-in- law at young ages. She was a certified lay speaker, Bible study leader and leader in establishing an ecumenical Citywide Day of Prayer in their winter home community of Avon Park, Florida.

She studied the Bible intensely right to the very last weeks of her life and was always eager to share what she was learning. Her fifty-year passion of studying the Tabernacle and what it means to us in our present day was important to her and she considered it her legacy along with bringing others to Christ. She wanted everyone to know about Jesus, the sacrifice He gave us so we can have a personal relationship with Him and eternal life.

Kathy is survived by her husband Lowell; her children, Mary (Tim) Wiltgen, Lawrence (Patty) Seamans, LeAnn (Tim) Baldwin; grandchildren Katie (Phil) Bormann, David (Kaitlyn) Oswald, Daniel(Anna) Oswald, Nathan (Kim) Seamans, Laura (Nate) Folkerts, Megan (Kristopher) Anderson, Joshua (Laura) Seamans, Erin (Matt) Brown, Bryan (Chloe) Baldwin; 26 great grandchildren with one on the way; brothers, Dick (Marge) Regenold, Paul (Shirley) Regenold; sisters, Roberta (Paul) Fagenbaum, Bonnie (Don) Elliott, Sue (Jim) Buhr, and Charlotte Regenold.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Charles, son, Charles Jr., daughters, Judith and Janette, son-in-law, Michael Oswald, great-grandson, Kennon Oswald, and brothers, Ron and Patrick.

Memorial gifts in Kathy’s honor may be given to Janette Seamans Branham Memorial Scholarship Fund -at the Highlands County Florida Bar Association or St. Croix Hospice, who provided wonderful care in Kathy’s final months.

A private family service and burial at Rose Hill Cemetery will be held at a later date.