Kathryn L. Shields

Kathryn (Katie) L. Shields, residing in South Bend, IN and Diamond Lake, MI, passed away at the Sanctuary of St. Paul’s Retirement Home on Saturday, October 7, 2017. In her 102 years she touched many lives with her smiling face.

She was born October 31, 1914 in North Liberty, IN, the daughter of Clem Myron and Alma (Steele) Mamerow. On December 14, 1936 in Loogotee, IN she was united in marriage to William S. Shields.

Katie is survived by her daughter, Barbara Byrum of South Bend; three granddaughters, Deborah A. Niksch of Gary, IN, Leslie L. (René) Trischler of Delaware, and Cathleen L. (Shaun) Busick of Zionsville, IN; seven great-grandchildren, Kathryn, Benjamin, and Kimberly Niksch; William, John, and Sam Trischler; and Andrew (Drew) Busick; great-great-granddaughter, Avery Grace; and sister, Eleanor Heck of Tippecanoe, IN. Katie is preceded in death by her husband, William; her sister, Arlene Oberly; her brother, Clem, Jr.; and her sons-in-law, John Cunningham and Parks Byrum.

Katie graduated from Indiana University, Bloomington, with a degree in Elementary Education. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church and a former member of First Brethren Church, South Bend. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, University Women, PTA, and Ray Bird Auxiliary.

With her husband, Bill, she supported the Campaign for History that helped build the addition to the Northern Indiana Center for History in 1994. They also funded a challenge grant for the Fischoff National Chamber Music Association to underwrite the Bronze Medal for senior strings. In 1998 they established an endowed Chair for the Dean of Nursing at Indiana University in South Bend. They have endowed scholarships for medical professionals by establishing the William and Kathryn Memorial Endowment Fund in the Community Foundation of St. Joseph County. They received the IUSB Chancellor’s Award and were recognized for their generosity to Ivy Tech, Studebaker National Museum, Silver Hawks, Football Hall of Fame, South Bend Parks, and South Bend Community Hall of Fame. In 2000 they contributed to “Katie’s Loft” at HealthWorks Kids’ Museum. “Grandma Katie” was the best cook in the world and used her talent to help entertain family, many friends, and Bill’s business associates at Diamond Lake.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, November 24 at 11:00 AM in the St. Paul’s Retirement Community Chapel with a reception to follow in St. Paul’s main lounge.

Contributions in memory of Kathryn L. Shields may be made to: Memorial Health Foundation, 615 N. Michigan St, South Bend, IN 46601; The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County for Medical Education or to The Community Foundation of St. Joseph County Heroes Camp Fund, Box 837, South Bend, IN 46699-0044; IUSB College of Health Sciences, Shields Scholarships, Box 7111, South Bend, IN 46634-7111, or Grace United Methodist Church, 3012 S Twyckenham Dr, South Bend, IN 46614.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. Palmer Funeral Home – Guisinger Chapel is assisting the family.

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