Kathryn Louise Rhodes Long, age 95, of New Bethlehem (Climax), passed away Saturday afternoon, January 7, 2017 at the Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Sligo following an illness.

     Born July 14, 1921 in Kellersburg, Armstrong County, she was a daughter of the late Herman Harold Rhodes and MerCelia Belle Truitt Rhodes.

     She married Lester Long on February 12, 1947 in New Bethlehem and he preceded her in death on January 25, 2007.

     Kay very much enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and they loved being spoiled by her.  She was also one of their biggest fans at their sporting events.

     She always looked forward to the annual Awards Assembly at the Union High School, where her daughter and family presented the Matthew A. Nulph Memorial Scholarship.

     Kay was known for her homemade filled cookies and loved to embroidery, latch hook and quilt until she was no longer able to do so.  She was very proud of the fact that she won 1st place for a doll quilt she embroidered when she was in first grade.

     Over the years, she has done housework, waitressed and was a packer for Owens-Illinois Glass in Clarion as well as being a housewife and mother. She also wrote a story on the Sun Bonnet Girl in October 1996 and it will be donated to the Library of Congress American Folk Life Center in Washington, D.C.

    Kay was a member of the Kellersburg Methodist Church, where she enjoyed teaching Sunday school. In her later years, she attended the White Chapel Church in Climax and enjoyed helping with Vacation Bible School.  She attended White Chapel until she was admitted to Clarview Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Country Springs in 2013.

    Survivors include five daughters:  Gloria Jean Lauppe and husband, Frederick, of Walnut Creek, California; Cheryl Nulph and husband, Johnnie, of Rimersburg; Rita Bochert of DuBois; Sheila Overby and husband, Bob, of Fargo, North Dakota and Rachel Boros and husband, Jim, of Marienville.

    Kay is survived by nine grandchildren:  Amy Capurro of Livermore, California; Betsy Rhodes and husband, Winston, of Berkeley, California; Shelly Isbell and husband, Herbert, of Alabaster, Alabama; Melanie Brink of Rimersburg; Kris Overby and wife, Stephanie and Andrew Overby, all of Fargo, North Dakota; Casey Overby of Van Nuys, California; Rick Trudgen and wife, Missy, of DuBois and Ryan Trudgen of Peoria, Arizona; five great grandchildren:  Jessica Brink of Rimersburg; Evan and Emily Capurro of Livermore, California and Sarah & Ellen Rhodes of Berkeley, California and a great great grandson, Connor Shirey, born December 13, 2016.  

     A 5th generation photo was taken days before Kay’s passing.

     Also surviving are two sisters:  Nancy Gould and husband, Jack, of Ohio and Marion Peterson of Michigan; one brother, Carl Rhodes and wife, Mildred, of Kentucky and numerous nieces and nephews.

     In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Matthew Nulph; granddaughter, Shawna Nulph; sisters:  Mary Belle Long, Dorothy Szymecki, June Young and Margaret Mae Rhodes; brother, Harold Rhodes; son-in-law, Fred Bochert; brothers-in-law:  Don Toy, Bernard Young, Gilbert Long, Raymond Peterson and Bernard Szymecki; sisters-in-law:  Rachel Rhodes and LaWanda Rhodes and several nieces and nephews.

     Family and friends will be received from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at the Rupert Funeral Home and Cremation Service chapel, 233 Penn Street, New Bethlehem.

    Funeral services will be private.

    A public memorial service will be held in the spring when all the family can gather to attend.

    Memorial contributions may be made in the name of Kathryn L. Long to the Baker Street Church of God, P.O. Box 399, Rimersburg, PA  16248

    Interment will follow in the Squirrel Hill Cemetery in Porter Township, Clarion County.

    Online condolences may be sent to Kay’s family at www.rupertfuneralhomes.com

 Service Information