Obituary of Viola Guthrie

Viola "Katie" Kathryn Guthrie February 29, 1928 January 23, 2009 Viola "Katie" Kathryn Guthrie, 80, of Deans Hill Road in Berrien Center, passed away at Lakeland Specialty Hospital on Friday, January 23, 2009 with her family by her side. Katie was born on Leap Day 1928 to Reed and Tina (Paxton) Morrison in West Virginia and raised by her parents Reed and Myrtle Morrison in Kentucky. After school Katie wed the love of her life, Lester Guthrie, on March 3, 1948. Together they had two children. At the age of 46 she attended college and became a Licensed Practical Nurse. She is preceded in death by her parents, Reed and Myrtle Morrison, Tina Paxton, brother Charles Morrison, step brothers G.H. and David Morrison and step sister Betty Morrison. Katie is survived by her husband of 60 years, Lester, children Ruby (Ronald) Pettenger of Petoskey, Michigan and Lester Jr. "Bud" (Diana) Guthrie of Coloma, Michigan, grandchildren Becky Pettenger of Petoskey, Krisy Pettenger of St. Pete Beach, Florida, Jonathan Guthrie of Colorado, Kara Guthrie of Berrien Springs, and Joshua (Laura) Bachman of Florida and 2 great granddaughters Ashley Pettenger and Abigail Bachman. Funeral services to honor Katie's life will be held on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at Mission Hills Memorial Chapel at 3 p.m. with a time of visitation one hour prior. Pastor Bob Jackson will be officiating. Katie will be interred in the Veterans Garden at Mission Hills Memorial Cemetery in Niles. Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home & Cremation Services and Mission Hills Memorial Chapel, Niles.