Kathryn Margaret “Kathy” Duncan

Kathryn Margaret "Kathy" Duncan, age 82, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 4, 2022 at the Virginia Gay Annex, with her family by her side.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, July 8, 2022 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton with Rev. Brian Channel officiating. Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM, Thursday at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6th Street) in Vinton. Private family interment will be held at Evergreen Cemetery in Red Oak, Iowa on Saturday. A memorial fund has been established.

Kathy was born on January 27, 1940 in Oelwein, the daughter of the late Clifton B. and Velma (Fife) Mealey. She grew up in Oelwein, with a brief stint in Wayland, Missouri. The family moved to Clarinda, Iowa in 1953, where she graduated from High School in 1957. She attended Tarkio College for two years, then left to begin a family. She moved to Vinton in 1960. Kathy went back to college to finish her education in 1980, and graduated from Coe College in 1984. She was united in marriage to Marlyn Duncan on August 24, 2008 at Wesley United Methodist Church in Vinton.

Kathy taught private piano lessons in Vinton for many years, before becoming a music teacher in the Vinton-Shellsburg Schools. She retired in 2000. She was deeply devoted to Wesley United Methodist Church and was a choir member, director, and accompanist for more than 50 years. More recently, she was the accompanist for the "Senior Ambassadors" in Mission, TX where she and Marlyn wintered.

Kathy had an adventurous spirit, and took many trips, near and far. Her love of horses was lifelong, and her weeklong trail rides with friends was an annual ritual. She traveled to Europe several times, and visited Israel and Egypt, where she rode a camel around the Great Pyramid in Giza. After their marriage, she and Marlyn were constant companions and enjoyed their winter home in Mission, Texas

She is survived by her husband Marlyn; children, Robert (Kathy) Ripperdan, Cynthia (Keith) Kerstetter, Judith (Jerry) Staab, Janet Gerhart, Jon (Claire) Duncan; 11 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Mealey in 1983; and her son-in-law, Timothy Gerhart.

Online condolences www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com

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JaJL July 7, 2022, 6:24 pm Our hearts are so sad. We have many fond memories with this wonderful woman. Riding the trails and camp side chats, cattle drives and loading some mighty stubborn horses. She spent hours trying to teach Jenny piano too.

CZ July 9, 2022, 2:14 pm A very interesting lady with so much talent. Working with Kathy was a joy and she was a great mentor!

MA July 9, 2022, 11:20 pm My condolences for your loss, I was lucky enough to teach next to Kathy at Lincoln. I learned so much from her. She was the queen of differentiation. If a student wasn't learning a new concept she would step back and find a new method and keep trying until there was success. The true definition of a dedicated teacher. My deepest sympathies to everyone.

ak July 12, 2022, 11:26 pm Kathy was a wonderful music teacher. She made learning fun and was very funny and always happy.

RE September 14, 2022, 1:59 pm Just now learned of the passing of Kathy Duncan. She was an absolutely wonderful lady and friend! Met Kathy at CCTR in Eminence, Mo. and OHG in S. Ill in the Shawnee Forest. Always enjoyed her company and looked forward to seeing her year after year. Condolences to family and friends. We were all blessed to have had her in our lives. She made it better for all! Richard Earp, KCMO.

Obituaries : Kathryn Margaret “Kathy” Duncan

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