Ref: "Out of My Mind" by Kathryn R. French, January 2013, preface – "Eight years of my life were spent on farms south of Des Moines, Iowa. Then we moved to Maxwell, Iowa, and I have lived here ever since. I am the youngest of eight children who grew up in the home of Ralph (see memorial #40579843) and Verlie (see memorial #40579834) Thompson. I was born, prematurely, to Olin D and E Lenore Lovell. My sister, Marion, was four years old and my brother Leland, was 20 months of age when I came along. When I was three weeks old, my mother died, leaving a young husband who had no clue how to be a father to three babies. We moved in with my aunt and uncle, my mother's only sister and her husband. After our father moved on with his life, we children remained with Papa and Mama Thompson, who already had five children of their own, and we just fit in as the "three little kids". The Thompson kids, Paul, Cleon, Clarence, Darline, and Doris, just considered us their younger siblings. In later years, I acquired much-loved half-siblings Lowell, Eunice, Marie, Olin, Jo, and Anne.
Larry and I married when I was 17 (and he was 19!) on March 3, 1946. Our parents agreed to sign the consent papers for us to get married ONLY if we had a place to live. They stipulated that we could not live with either set of parents but must have our own place. It was just after the end of World War II and with the return of our soldiers, all available housing was snatched up. There were no houses or apartments for us to rent…..so we bought a house! (Larry was making $15.00 per week, approximately, but we were determined!) Of course there was the usual loudly voiced opinion that we were too young and "it wouldn't last". But as I write this, we have been married for 66 ½ years, so I think it may "last". Maribeth was born April 6, 1947 and Barbi came along sixteen months later on August 20, 1948. (She was also a "preemie"!) A few years ago, we lost bot of our lovely daughters to heart problems.
Larry owned and operated Larry's Auto Service and I owned and operated Kathy's Nursery School, but we had many other interests, too. Larry pastored the little church at St. Anthony, IA for 19 years. There were girl scouts, 4H, church activities, private mission works, Lion's Club, (and Lion's Ladies), Maxwell Fire Department (and their wives), school activities, and son on and on, and on.
Over the years, we managed to collect several "foster children" and foster grandchildren": Eunice, Marilyn, Bobby, Amy, Noc Bui, Sareth, and Many and their children, and others we love as "family". We also have one godson and two goddaughters………"

Obituary for Kathryn R. French -

Kathryn Ruth (Thompson)French was born on December 17, 1928 to Olin and Ella Lenore (Price) Lovell. She was raised by her aunt and uncle, Verli and Ralph Thompson. Kathryn married Larry French on March 3, 1946 at Maxwell Christian Church (now Rock Creek Bible Church), where she was a life-long member.

Kathryn passed away at Rolling Green Village in Nevada, IA on Wednesday, May 9, 2018. She is preceded in death by her parents; both of her children: Marybeth Pollard and Barbara Evans; her sister Marion Ferguson and her brother Leland Thompson.

Kathryn is survived by her husband, Larry; her grandchildren: David Evans of Raleigh, NC, Laura Evans Mahn (Jason) and great-grandchildren: Asa and Gabriel Mahn of Rock Island, IL; her half-sisters: Jo Nye and Anne Lovell and half-brother Olin Lovell. In addition to her biological loved ones, including beloved nieces and nephews, the children Kathryn leaves behind are countless. They are children she loved and helped raise and include dear foster children, the Chhin family from Cambodia, Sunday school children, and the many children who attended Kathy’s Nursery School.

Kathryn loved children, her church, her friends, her Thursday morning coffee group, and her quilting group. She was always ready to cook for someone, to teach, to volunteer at church, to give comfort, tell a story, and spend time in her garden. She will be missed dearly.

Memorial services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, May 12 at Rock Creek Bible Church in Maxwell. Family will greet friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Inurnment will follow at the Maxwell Cemetery in Maxwell.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rock Creek Bible Church in Maxwell.

Rasmusson-Bacon Funeral Home in Maxwell is handling arrangements.