Obituary for Kathryn Marie Thacker (Rowen)

Life Story for Kathryn Marie Thacker (Rowen)

God's Walk with Kathy Thacker in Her Final Week with Us
A few weeks ago, a family gathering was being planned for Oct. 18-19 in Ames, Iowa, where our
grandson Austin is a senior at Iowa State University. Ames is also about mid-way for family members
who live in the Kansas City area and those who live in or near St. Cloud, Minnesota.
As the week of the event began, Kathy had already not been feeling well, having less energy, tiring
easily, carrying a little fever and increased issues with breathing. This had actually grown a bit worse
from the previous week. All of these symptoms were on the list of side effects of the latest cancer
drug she was put on this summer, and she had an appointment already set to see her cancer
specialist the following week.
By Wednesday just ahead of the reunion weekend, I was concerned that the trip would be too much
for her and asked her two or three times over the next couple of days if perhaps we should stay home
and reschedule the event for a later date. I was also concerned that we would get there and she would
feel worse from the trip and have to go to an urgent care clinic.
She was adamant about going, even if she did have to go to the doctor while there—she wanted to see
her family. One thing I have learned over the 30-plus years we've been married is that when she
makes a decision and is adamant about it, there was no changing her mind. Little did I know the
course of our lives was about to change forever.
During the next few days, her condition continued to deteriorate, and by Oct. 23 it was evident that
she had little chance of surviving. We were urged to meet with a palliative nurse about the very tough
decisions that might have to be made.
I am convinced that Kathy knew or had a strong feeling that she was near the end before we ever
made the trip and through her strong prayer life and study, she was ready to take God's hand and
make the walk. And, I suspect that she was not going to tell me about that because she might think I
would refuse to make that trip and put her in the hospital here—four hours away from where the
majority of her family would be. It appears to me that God and Kathy conspired to make happen what
no one else could do—and that was with loving family surrounding her, free her of the pain of 17 1/2
years of cancer treatments and side effects.
The latest medicine was somewhat of a last ditch effort to halt the spread of her cancer, but the
medicine itself was contributing to the slide in her condition. If she had declined to accept more
treatments, the risk of spread of her bone cancer would greatly increase, possibly leading to a longer
and even more painful process. It was time for God to step in, with full cooperation from Kathy.
Early Friday morning, God took Kathy by the hand and they made that walk together. It was just like
Kathy, for her and God to take away the terribly difficult decision from the family.
Friday evening, I looked to the heavens and spotted a bright star, told Kathy that I loved her and
hoped that she enjoyed her first cancer-free and pain-free day in 17 1/2 years. The star seemed to
sparkle a bit, just like her eyes, as if to say "I have arrived, I am in paradise, no pain, no cancer.
Halleluiah! Quit worrying about me. I love you too."
By her loving husband, Curt