A celebration of life service for Kathe L. Fichter, 60, was held Aug. 22 at United Methodist Church in Randolph with Pastor Jan Phillips officiating and Kim Reed providing the inspirational message.
Pallbearers were Jason Vardaman, Doug Burch, Kevin Fichter, Clinton Fichter, Jeremy Christiansen, Kyle Fichter, Kim Madison, Fred Fichter and Darrell Madison. Honorary pallbearers were Kathe’s six grandchildren: Hannah, Lynde, Kendall, Kalyn, Kynzie and Kellen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to the Randolph Public Library or the Fremont-Mills Community School Girls Athletics in care of the Randolph State Bank. Interment was at the Randolph Cemetery.
The Crawford-Marshall Funeral Chapel in Tabor was in charge of arrangements.
Kathe L. Fichter was born Dec. 31, 1948.
Following graduation from South Page Community School, she worked in Waterloo, Iowa, in the insurance field and then joined the staff of the Shenandoah Sentinel newspaper. On Nov. 22, 1970, she married Fred Fichter and they raised two children, daughter Kim and son Kyle.
Kathe was a passionate volunteer in the Randolph community where she organized, directed and participated in its many events. She volunteered extensively for the Historical Society, with a special focus on the Ferrel House in Randolph.
One of her most recent projects was the moving of the Randolph Depot back into town to serve as a museum and tourist attraction.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School for over 30 years. Her students learned life lessons through her caring and sensitive example.
She was librarian at the Randolph Public Library since 1976. She especially enjoyed organizing creative summer reading programs. She brought technology to Randolph with computers purchased through grants, assisted many with genealogy research, and preserved and researched the history of Randolph through the town’s old newspapers. She also co-authored Recipes and Recollections, the cookbook commemorating the town’s 130th celebration, which she helped organize.
In 1998 she joined the staff of Fremont-Mills Community School where she served as the school librarian and media specialist. She developed many projects and served on many committees.
She especially enjoyed time with her family and grandchildren.
She was an avid Fremont-Mills supporter.
Kathe is survived by her husband, Fred, of Randolph; son Kyle and wife Heather of Randolph; daughter Kim Madison of Randolph and son-in-law Darrell Madison of Thurman; parents Marvin and Marcelyne Almquist of Shenandoah; her six grandchildren, Lynde and Kalyn Madison, Hannah, Kendall, Kynzie and Kellen Fichter; sisters Darla Burch and husband Ed of Braddyville and Joyce Vardaman and husband Randy of Mt. Ayr; brother Gary and wife Marsha of Texas as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
