William (Bill) Andreas
Bill served four years in the Army Air Corps. (enlisted in 1941 and discharged in 1945). He passed away on Nov. 5, 2019, at his home.
Bill is survived by his son Norman Andreas, daughter Judy Lawhorn, granddaughter Andrea Fain, and great-granddaughter Robin Fain. His wife Maurine Andreas passed away in 2006 after 64 years of marriage.
He loved the outdoors, his cabin, fishing, hiking, his Thursday carving group, and breakfast with friends on Saturdays. He was good-natured and well known for making up his own rules when playing any game.
He was a member of the Silver Sneakers and as of a month ago, was seen walking around the block two to three times a day. Celebration of Life Services are pending.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of the Valley in Chandler.
James Richard Andrysiak
James Richard Andrysiak was born on Sept. 5, 1937, to Mary and Michael Andrysiak in Chicago, Illinois. He entered into eternal life on Oct. 15, 2019.
He grew up in Tinley Park, Illinois. He joined the United States Air Force and served for four years. In 1960 after leaving the military, James met his wife Marilyn. They were married in 1962 and shared 57 years together. They enjoyed going to the movies, swimming, and attending football games.
He always encouraged his sons in their sports activities. He liked to camp and fish with the family. He enjoyed workin’ the barbeque, too.
James taught his children to stand up for themselves and always help others in need by being an advocate or protector for those who could not protect themselves.
He was a “Jack of All Trades.” He had an incredible sense of energy and was always someone you could turn to. His work ethic was “over the top”. James was his family’s “rock”.
He is survived by his beloved wife Marilyn and their two sons: Jim (Kathy) and Robert (Karen), as well as his brother-in-law Charles Ahlberg.
He is preceded in death by his brother Robert Andrysiak.
He will be greatly missed. He had a great smile and was a friend to everyone who knew him.
Kathleen “Kathy” (Shull) Downing
Kathleen “Kathy” (Shull) Downing, age 75, of Sun Lakes, Arizona, passed away on Oct. 15, 2019, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family.
Kathy was born in Central City, Nebraska, and raised in Chapman, Nebraska. She attended Grand Island High School.
Kathy worked in various occupations throughout her life, which included restaurant food and beverage manager of the Holiday Inn in Norfolk, Nebraska. Later, after relocating to Omaha, Nebraska, she became a certified gemologist. For the next 31 years, Kathy worked in the fine jewelry industry in both Omaha, Nebraska, and Chandler, Arizona. She loved and excelled in her career up until her retirement in 2017.
Kathy was a devoted mother, sister, wife, and a compassionate friend. Her family meant the world to her. She had a bright beautiful smile, sharp wit, and a very big and generous heart. She leaves behind nothing but beautiful, happy memories.
Her hobbies included being a shopper extraordinaire. She had a wonderful sense of style, always was impeccably dressed, and loved to shop for anyone and anything. She never met a sale she didn’t like! She also loved listening to Frank Sinatra, reading a good book, interior decorating, and spending time with her family and friends.
Kathy is predeceased by her beautiful daughter Sherry Carstens, her loving husband Jerry Downing, and her parents Donald and Wilma Shull.
She is survived by her son Terry (Vi) McShannon; daughter Kristie Caskey; stepsons Terry (Maria) Downs, Randy (Carol) Downs; brother Dr. James (Sara) Shull; and sisters Sami Dietrich and Susan Carstenson; aunt Jeanenne Hiett; grandchildren Michelle Hunter, Paul Hunter, Austin Carstens, Katrina Caskey, and Carrissa Caskey; great-grandchild Jade Curtis; and her loyal little dog Max.
A Celebration of Life was held Friday, Nov. 1, 2019, at 2 p.m. at the Valley of the Sun Cemetery, 10940 E. Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, Arizona 85248.
Her family is truly grateful for the loving care from Hospice of the Valley. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, www.supportuw.org, 600 Highland Ave. K4/658, Madison, WI 53792-6164, or Hospice of the Valley, www.hov.org, 1510 E. Flower Street, Phoenix, AZ 85014.
James C. Kirkpatrick
James C. (Jim/Kirt) Kirkpatrick was born Nov. 30, 1927, in Tipton, Iowa. He graduated high school in 1946. Upon graduation, Jim entered the U.S. Navy in San Diego, California. He was very proud of “his” Navy.
In the Navy, Jim was a Radarman and retired in August, 1971. He was Company Commander during boot camp in Great Lakes, IL. During his 20-year naval career, Jim served on four aircraft carriers (USS Midway, USS Princeton, USS Essex, and USS Constellation) in the Harbor Defense Unit at Subic Bay, Philippines, Naval Training Center at Great Lakes as Company Commander and at the Naval School Command Treasure Island as an on-platform Instructor for over five years.
Jim lost his wife Patty to cancer in August, 2003, after over 46 years of marriage. They had two sons, Jim and Jerry, and one daughter, Jane. He always cherished memories of Patty and is proud of Jim, Jane, and Jerry.
Jim never climbed Mt. Everest. He didn’t invent anything. He never wrote a novel. He DID enjoy his work. He really liked people and enjoyed working and remembers fondly those he worked with and for.
In March, 2003, he relocated to Sun Lakes, Arizona. He loved Arizona and had many treasured friends there. His new business card read: “Retired/Still Very Active (recycled teenagers).”
On November 11, 2009, he was so happy that his daughter Jane came from her home in Bali, Indonesia, to be at his wedding. Also at the wedding were his youngest son Jerry, who was in Italy for his employer, and his oldest son Jim, who lives in Arizona. It was so precious that they were all there in the front row. The wedding joined Jim and Del in marriage. All who knew him knew of his great love for Del. They were so happy traveling in and out of the USA and Canada, as well as a Rhine River cruise in July 2010 and a trip to China in September 2010. They traveled to many places in the States and to Ireland/Scotland in 2011.
Shortly after arriving in Arizona, Jim became involved in attending opera, ballet, symphonies, and plays. Jim and Del so enjoyed all of these. Jim was in a writers group, which he especially enjoyed.
Some of their friends from these activities were at his outdoor wedding at the San Marcos Hotel in Chandler, Arizona, on Nov. 11, 2009. Jim and Del considered themselves so blessed in their love and their health.
Jim had many fond memories of growing up in small town Iowa (Tipton). He felt it was a great place to have lived. Jim often remembered many he had worked with and for. He received his Social Security card in 1937 and felt that he had learned so much from the “jobs” he had before entering the Navy.
The last years of retirement with Del and their many wonderful friends were truly his happiest days. He would have told you that he and Del had so much to be thankful for. Jim and Del moved into Renaissance in Sun Lakes to spend their last days. Jim died a contented man.
Katherine Schaefer Larson
Katherine Schaefer Larson was born in 1921 in Oklahoma. She attended Northwestern State University and pledged Tri-Sigma Sorority. She married Virgil Schaefer, and they spent their married life in Colorado, operating a wheat and cattle business in Eastern Colorado.
Katherine was a member of the Colorado Cow Belles Association. She spent many years volunteering at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs.
In 1972, after being widowed, she married Ordell Larson, a native of Arizona. They retired in Scottsdale and later moved to Sun Lakes. She is survived by her daughter Tanya Oslund of Sun Lakes and her great-granddaughter Nicholette Williams-Fortuna of West Lake Village, CA. Nicholette is the daughter of Ben Williams, the deceased son of Tanya.
A Celebration of Life was held October 30.