Kathryn Riley

Kathryn Hellyer Riley, 93, of Keokuk, died on Friday, September 3, 2004 at Keokuk Area Hospital following a brief illness. She was born on November 11, 1910 at Farber, Missouri, the daughter of Lewis E. and Sophronia C. Gertz Hellyer. After graduating from Middletown (Missouri) High School, she began her career as a teacher in a one-room school. While attending summer school at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College to earn her teaching credentials, she met John W. Riley. They were married in Kirksville, Missouri on October 20, 1932. He preceded her in death on September 8, 1993. John and Kathryn moved to Keokuk in the early 1940's when John began teaching at junior high. Kathryn taught at and later became the principal of the Alexandria, Missouri Elementary School. She then taught at Argyle and Montrose schools and completed 20 years of service as a junior high math teacher for the Central Lee Community School District. Kathryn was personally interested in every student she taught. More important than the subjects she taught, she guided her students to develop their sense of personal worth and self-esteem. While teaching full time, she attended night classes at C...[more]

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hage College. She received her Bachelor's degree, and graduated at the last commencement ceremony held on the Carthage, Illinois campus. Kathryn Riley was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. While her family always came first, she unselfishly helped many others throughout her life. Survivors include her two sons: Don and his wife Debbie of Chattanooga, Tennessee, formerly of Keokuk, and Richard and his wife Mary Margaret of San Marcos, Texas; four grandchildren - Mark Riley and his wife Deb and daughter Katie of Independence, Missouri; Matthew and his wife Teri and son Landon of Bakersfield, California; Sarai Riley Underwood and her husband Mike and son Riley of Olathe, Kansas; and Laura Riley Schooler and her husband Joe and son Isaac and daughter Fiona of Round Rock, Texas. Kathryn was a member of the Keokuk United Presbyterian Church for over 60 years where she served as a Deacon and an Elder. She also served on the Ministerial Relations Committee of the East Iowa Presbytery. She was a 50 year member of Chapter U, P.E.O.; member and past president of Alpha Epsilon chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma; former member of the American Association of University Women; a 50 year member and past worthy matron of Elmira Chapter #40, Order of Eastern Star; a 50 year member and past worthy high priestess of Malta Shrine #12, Order of the White Shrine of Jerusalem; and member of Pyramid Temple #10, Daughters of the Nile. She was a lifetime member of the Iowa State Education Association and the National Education Association. On Thursday, September 9th, a funeral service was held at the United Presbyterian Church with Rev. Brian Rihner officiating. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery.