Kathryn Mary Ann Loidolt

Kathryn Sullivan was born in Corning, Iowa. She was the fourth child in a family of seven children. She is preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; parents, William and Margaret Sullivan; brothers Leo, George, Vincent and Edward; sister, Marjory Gerken; and daughter, Mary. She is survived by her children, Marcus (Kimetha) and Kimberley (Dean), grandchildren; Jordan (Taylor) and Kaleigh; step-grandson Kevin; brother, Thomas Sullivan (Jane), Missouri City, TX; many cousins, nieces and nephews. After graduating high school at the age of 16, Kathryn earned her Bachelor’s degree in Education from Iowa State Teachers College and later earned a Master’s Degree from Ball State University. She began her teaching career in several schools in Iowa before heading west to California. At the age of 25, Kathryn accepted a position with the Department of the Defense and sailed from San Francisco on the USS Gaffey to her first overseas teaching assignment in Sendai, Japan where she stayed for two years. Although she loved Japan, she wanted to extend her travel to experience other cultures, so it was onto Germany for seven years where she met Mel Loidolt. They were married in 1958 in Corning, Iowa and returned to Heidelberg, Germany until 1962. They transferred to Asmara, Eritrea, East Africa for one year, followed by assignments in Seoul, Korea and Camp Zama, Japan. In all, she taught 24 years in the states and overseas. Their son, Marcus, was born in Japan. Mel and Kathryn returned to the United States and settled in Indianapolis, where their daughter, Kimberley, was born. After retiring from teaching in 1976, Kathryn started a new career with Indiana Bell where she worked for 14 years before retiring in 1991. During her retirement, she started a new chapter in her life, as a professional massage therapist and reflexologist. She was active in St. Andrew’s Catholic Church where she was a member for 52 years. She was also a member of the Secular Franciscans, Red Hatters and Goldenaires. She was recently honored by the Indiana Blood Bank for donating over 16 gallons of blood which is one of the many ways she demonstrated her commitment to helping her community. Her passions included photography,videography, travel (which included visits to all 50 states and six world continents), supplying friends and family with spiritual and humorous messages, an abiding devotion to her faith, praying the rosary daily, and of course, making her peanut butter bars!. Kathryn lived an amazing life and will long be remembered for her infectious laugh, positive attitude and the kindness and compassion she bestowed on so many, as well as the abundance of joy she brought to her family and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 12:00 p.m., Saturday, November 10th, at St. Andrews Catholic Church,4052 E. 38th Street, Indianapolis; with Father James Farrell officiating. Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the service time at 12:00 p.m. Burial will take place in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Memorial contributions in Kathryn's memory may be made to St. Andrew The Apostle Catholic Church, 4052 E. 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN 46218