Kathleen Walding

Mass of Christian Burial for Kathleen Walding, age 84, of Norfolk, Nebraska will be 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Norfolk. Reverend Pat McLaughlin will be celebrant, with burial in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Norfolk.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Home for Funerals Chapel, 708 Georgia Avenue in Norfolk, with a 7:00 p.m. Vigil Service.

Home for Funerals in Norfolk is in charge of arrangements.

Kathleen passed away Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Heritage of Bel Air in Norfolk.

Kathleen “Kathy” Walding was born November 26, 1941, in Waterloo, Iowa to LaVerne and Doralene Duffy. She was one of ten children. Kathy was baptized at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Waterloo and later received her first holy communion and confirmation at St. Mary’s Church, where she attended both elementary and high school. Kathy received her bachelor’s degree from Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa and her master’s degree in theology from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota.

Kathy became a teacher, beginning her career at Sacred Heart School in Melrose Park, Illinois. Later, she taught at St. Mary’s High School in Remsen, Iowa and at St. Francis High School in Humphrey, Nebraska. Kathy spent 36 years teaching religion and theology at Sacred Heart School and Norfolk Catholic High School. She had a passion for teaching and sharing her faith with the young people in her classes.

When Kathy and Tom Walding were married in 1972, he became the center of her life. They did everything together: singing, traveling, gardening, baking, growing roses, planting trees, watching birds, playing the slots, laughing, and crying. Their greatest joy was being able to be the parents of two totally different and wonderful sons. Sharing their faith in God was the greatest foundation of their marriage.

Kathy and Tom provided the music at St. Mary’s Church for many years. She was also a lector, and later when she retired from teaching, became a hospice volunteer, sang in the funeral choir, and served as a Eucharistic minister to the homebound.

Kathy is survived by two sons, Aaron and Dominic; daughter-in-law, Maureen; granddaughter, Paige Katherine; four brothers; six sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; and beloved husband, Tom.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Birthright of Norfolk.

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