Katharine D. Adkisson

Katharine Dolores Adkisson, also known as “Kack” or “Kay” to family and friends, age 97, of Centralia, IL, passed away of natural causes on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 2015. Katharine was born in 1918 in Centralia, a daughter to Joseph and Minnie (Wallis) Koelling. She married at the age of 21 and had two sons. Throughout her life, Ms. Adkisson resided in a variety of locations, including Kentucky, California, Japan, Washington, and Texas. Retirement brought her back to Centralia, where she lived the remainder of her life. In addition to her sons, Katharine is also survived by her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and friends. Highlights of Katharine’s life include studying business and voice at Tennessee Women’s College in Murfreesboro, TN, and at Centralia Brown’s Business College. She was also a charter member of the Gamma lota Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority. After bringing two sons into this world, Katharine and her husband purchased a farm, providing her the opportunity to spend time outdoors and among the horses she was so fond of. Following two marriages ending in divorce, Katharine devoted her life to raising and training horses, while continuing to work in Corporate America, in a variety of office positions. Although she enjoyed working at such places as Westinghouse, Singer, Friden Marketing Agency, and even a law firm, to name a few, nothing excited her more than the opportunity to train horses and participate in numerous horse dressage competitions. Her involvement with horses even lead to a horse transaction between herself and the admirable and well-known actor at the time, Ronald Reagan in 1963. She personally delivered a brown and white yearling Appaloosa to Reagan’s ranch. The colt was added to his family of horses. This was a significant event in Katharine’s life, despite not meeting Mr. Reagan in-person. Katharine also developed life-long friendships with other horse and ranch lovers that kept in touch with her throughout her life. As time went on, her horse dressage activity and interactions with horses began to decrease until Katharine reached the age of retirement and relocated back to Centralia to write the last chapter of her life. Centralia was always “home” to Katharine, as she viewed it as a very welcoming and loving place. Katharine had a great sense of humor and a big smile which will be truly missed by those who knew and loved her. Per Ms. Adkisson’s wishes, cremation rites were performed and a graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 23, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. at Hillcrest Memorial Park located at 2500 Old 51 Road, Sandoval, IL 62882.

Katharine D. Adkisson

February 2, 1918 - November 26, 2015