Katherine Lois Symmonds, 98, of Dallas City, Illinois, passed away at 1:41 p.m. Saturday, September 19, 2026, surrounded by her family at the Golden Good Shepherd Home, Golden, Illinois.
Katherine was born June 7, 1928, near Dallas City, the daughter of Paul Noland and Grace Loretta Byers Markey. On December 31, 1947 she married her high school sweetheart, Edward L. “Ed” Symmonds, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Carthage, Illinois. Ed preceded her in death September 29, 2021.
Katherine was raised on a farm near Dallas City. She was a 1946 graduate of Dallas City High School. Earlier in life, she stayed home to raise her children. She later worked various jobs, including, Sheaffer Pen Company in Fort Madison, Lomax Canning Factory, the Italian Village in Dallas City and lastly worked as a CNA for over 30 years at the Hancock County Nursing Home in Carthage.
She was an active member of the community, serving on the Plan Progress Committee, as a Girl Scout Leader, and was a faithful member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dallas City, where she was active on the Altar & Rosary Society. She enjoyed square dancing with Ed, tending to her large garden, bird watching, and making beautiful rugs. Katherine loved traveling and especially spending time with her family.
Survivors include four daughters: Diana (Byron) Shaw, Rita (Tom) Schaefer, Teresa (John) Pieper all of Dallas City and Nancy (Mike) Gavin of Salem, Kentucky and one son: Ed (Kathy) Symmonds of Swisher, Iowa; eighteen grandchildren: Jeni Richardson, Heather Thompson, Angie Bauer, Chris Thompson, Tiffaney Prickett, Aaron and Amy Walker, John, David and Matt Gavin, Andy Schaefer, Alicia Glueck, April Hamma, Leslie Vermillion, Laura Phillips and John, Dan and Dylan Pieper; 46 great-grandchildren and 9 great-great-grandchildren.
Besides her husband, Katherine was preceded in death by two daughters: Beverly Walker and Kathleen Bousman; two grandchildren: Eric Schaefer and Ashley Walker; one great-granddaughter: Kendra McAllister; two sons-in-law: Frank Walker and Roger Bousman; five brothers: Lester, Leon, Frank, John and Tony Markey and two sisters: Dorothy Johnson and Mary Rees.
The services for Katherine will be held at 11:30 a.m. Friday, September 25, 2026 at Banks & Beals Funeral Home in Dallas City, with Fr. Tony Trosley officiating. Burial will follow at Gittings Mound Cemetery, rural Dallas City.
The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until time of services Friday at the funeral home.
A memorial fund has been established for Blessing Hospice.