Kate was born to the late Guy and Viola Bauer Shumaker. She married Allen Blackford 15 Feb 1936. He preceded her in death on 20 Jul 1969.
She lived her entire life in Crawford Co. and after her husbands death moved to Bucyrus in 1973, and then to an apartment at Kettle Run in 2003.
she was a graduate of North Robinson High School in 1934 and was very active while there. Kate was employed at Crawford Community Credit Union as treasurer and office manager. Following her retirement in 1987 she served as an auditor there.
Kate was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church and served as a council member. a member of WELCA and served on the district board.
She was a member of Republican Women and was named Republican of the year in 1996. She also held membership in the local AARP, A 4-H advisor, volunteer with American Cancer Society, delivered meals on wheels and served on the election board and was named to the Crawford County Hall of Fame in 1988.
She is survived by three daughters, Anne (Steve) Fisher of New WAshington, Phyllis (Bob) Crall of Bucyrus, Linda (Garrett) Swendal of Howard and an adopted daughter, Dr. Tammie Arnold of Bucyrus; nine grandchildren, Debby Grove of Mansfield, Jerry Kalb of Euclid, Kimberly (Lee) North of Dublin, Jon (Danielle) Crall of Mt. Orab, Allen (Laura) Fisher of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Wendy Figgins of Mount Vernon, Troy (Catie) Swendal of Columbus, Travis (Carrie) Swendal of Butler and Nathan (Kelly) Swendal of Columbus; 14 grandchildren; and 14 great gradnchildren, Eric and Krista Grove, Joseph and Austin Kalb, Eli, Ty, Ben and Abe Crall, Owen and Karlee North, Trey Figgins, Logan and Landon Swendal and Reagan Swendal; two sisters Donna Knisley of Henersonville, Tennessee and Marvel Dornan of Thornville, and sister-in-law, Belle Shumaker of North Robinson.
Kate was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers Robert and Donald Shumaker; sisters Dorothy Dinkel and Marilyn Sloyer; as well as her best friend Marilyn Galitza.