Mary Katherine Nachtwey July 20, 1921 - Nov. 15, 2009

SPRINGFIELD – Mary Katherine Nachtwey, 88, died peacefully at home in Springfield on November 15. She was surrounded by her ten children and most of her 14 grandchildren. Mary was under Hospice Care from St. John’s Hospital, which also supported the passing four years earlier of her husband Dr. Robert Nachtwey. They were married 60 years.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 17, 2009, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. A prayer service will begin at 4 p.m. followed by a celebration of Mary’s long and rich life.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Griffin Scholarship Fund, 1200 W. Washington, Springfield, IL 62702 or St. Martin de Porres Center, 1725 S. Grand Ave. East, Springfield, IL 62703 or Edwin Watts Southwind Park Project, 2500 S. 11th St., Springfield, IL 62703.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 18, 2009, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1930 Barberry, Springfield, with Rev. Msgr. David S. Lantz, celebrant. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Mary was born July 20, 1921, in LaCrosse, WI, to Moritz and Mary Kerndt. She grew up as a tomboy in Lansing, IA, with three older brothers, Jim, Tom and Gus. As a bright and energetic young woman, Mary attended Clark College in Dubuque, IA. She transferred to Marquette in Milwaukee, WI, to earn her business degree, with special interest in time and motion studies. During WWII she learned to fly an airplane, planning to help the women’s WW II home front effort.

After the war, she married her childhood sweetheart, Robert, at Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. They moved to Rochester, MN, where their first three children were born. In 1951, they moved to Springfield and quickly made their home. Through the years, even with her own large brood, Mary always made room in her heart and home for others of all ages and walks of life. At age 77 she received a computer from her grandson, and learned to use email for keeping in touch with her large family and many friends.

Mary is survived by her children, Jim Nachtwey of Springfield (wife, Karen), Fred Nachtwey of Berkeley, CA (wife, Julie), Mary Louise Nachtwey of Springfield, Elizabeth Nachtwey of Nelson, BC (husband, Stephen Collens), Susan Tinguely of Farmington, ME (husband, Gerry), Greg Nachtwey of Berkeley, CA (wife, Esther Hirsh), Matt Nachtwey of Springfield, Nancy Nachtwey of Oakland, CA, Kate Nachtwey of Ukiah, CA, and Julie Innes of Seattle, WA (husband, David) and their families.

Mary is also survived by her brother, Jim, who is a Trappist Monk in Dubuque, Iowa. In addition, she is survived by her sister-in-law, Patricia Kerndt of Lansing, IA; as well as nine Kerndt nieces and nephews, Trish, Cathy, Gus, Tom, Peter, Margaret, Susan, Gretchen, and Jim and their families.

To offer condolences or see more about Mary, please visit Butler Funeral Homes.

Published in The State Journal-Register from 11/16/2009 – 11/17/2009 — Note: the Journal Register appears to provide no permanent link.