Katharine J. Van Rheenen

Katharine J. Van Rheenen, 87, died November 17, 2021. She was born at the family home in Carmel, IN to Armon C. and Vera Rosetta (Kinzer) Dawson. She graduated from Broad Ripple High School and attended Indiana University. She married Robert N. Van Rheenen in 1954 and they were married until his death in 2008. She was actively involved in several community organizations, including Easterseals Crossroads Rehabilitation Center and The Indianapolis Zoo Guild. She worked with her husband at the Hair Closet in the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Katharine was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Robert Newton Van Rheenen and sisters Lillian (Dawson) Ashby and Evelyn (Dawson) Anderson.

Survivors include her children, Richard S. Van Rheenen and Stephanie (Kenneth) Martin, grandchildren Alysonn (Thomas) Hoffmann, Kinzer (Joshua) Myer, Kendra (Sean) McWhorter, Kaitlin VanRheenen, great-grandchildren Alyssa Hoffmann, Madisyn Weaver, Jackson Weaver, Jocelyn VanRheenen, Thomas Hoffmann, Esther McWhorter, Jay Myer and great-great granddaughter Autumn Hoffmann.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46222-0309, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or any charity of your choice.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at Union Chapel United Methodist Church, 2720 E 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46240, from noon-2pm. Funeral services will begin there at 2pm. Arrangements entrusted to Flanner Buchanan – Oaklawn Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be shared at www.flannerbuchanan.com.