Kathryn "Kathy" Louise Rinkel Dycus

Kathryn “Kathy” Louise Rinkel Dycus, 76, of Westfield, IN entered heaven on September 12, 2024. She passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving husband and three children.

Kathy graduated from Purdue University in 1969 and was married to Roger Charles Dycus, her college sweetheart, for 55 years. She was a loving mother to Bethany Drow, Julia Warren, and Bradley Dycus, a doting grandmother to nine grandchildren, and a best friend and older sister to Marilyn Roberts.

Kathy’s family was her most treasured belonging and she was a driving force in every aspect of her family and their lives. She involved herself with her children and grandchildren's activities from their birth and never missed the opportunity to attend a football/baseball game, a dance recital, a cheer competition, or a choir show. If she was not attending her children or grandchildren’s events, she was watching it via an online streaming service or viewing every picture on her phone/iPad. At every family gathering, she ensured everyone gathered around the kitchen table for hours of games and fun. Kathy was very proud of each of her three children and cherished and cheered for each of her grandchildren which include two middle schoolers (Luke and Levi), three high schoolers (Ava, Aliya, and Cole), a current Purdue University student (Ansley) and Indiana University student (Ellie), a US Naval aviator (Jack), and a pharmaceutical representative (Kayla). 

In addition, to her own children, she loved and cared for other little children. During her working career, she was the director of several daycare schools where she was able to make a positive impact on thousands of children's lives on a daily basis. This culminated in her and her sister, Marilyn, achieving their career aspirations by founding and operating their own childcare center in the Greenwood, IN area.

Some of her most cherished memories include the 50th wedding anniversary cruise with the entire family; hosting the family for Christmas at a beach house; many summers at the Lake James cottage and the frequent pontoon trips on the three basins to check out the houses and people; and, most of all, Christmas with everyone at home. Kathy loved her four legged “favorite” child Royce who was always by her side.

She loved her activities which included sewing doll clothes to be sold at the church craft fair, the church women’s group where she and Marilyn lead “Make it and take it” craft projects, and she always had a jigsaw puzzle going at the house.

Kathy led a blessed life, loving her family and all her friends.

Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, September 16, 2024 at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 4780 East 126th Street.  Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the church.