Katherine Arment, 81, of Grinnell, died Thurs-day, May 14, 2020, at Mayflower Commun-ity Health Care Center in Grinnell. A public graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell with the Rev. John Epperson officiating. Memorials may be designated to University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital or Grinnell Fire Department and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.
Katherine Irene Watson was born Mar. 28, 1939, in Grinnell to Joe Henry and Mabel Maxine (Barnhart) Watson. She was raised on the family farm and graduated from Searsboro High School with the Class of 1956.
Katherine was united in marriage to her high school sweetheart, Charles Edward Arment, on July 20, 1958, at the Searsboro United Methodist Church.Their union was blessed with a daughter, Patricia Jo, and a son, Steven. They resided in Grinnell, and they owned and operated the NAPA Auto Parts store. Katherine had worked at GTE, DeLong’s Sportswear, and later at Grinnell Mutual Reinsurance, where she was a claims assistant. She was a member of Grinnell Eagles Auxiliary and Grinnell Fire Department Auxiliary. Charles and Katherine had attended the State Fire Convention for the past 30 years.
Katherine held a very strong love of her family and would do anything for them. She enjoyed sitting on the patio, tending to her garden, spending time with family at the pond making chili dogs and s’mores, making big meals for her family, and watching Elvis movies, soap operas, and the Hallmark Channel. She was an avid Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, and Green Bay Packers fan. She will be remembered for her kind, gentle way, for her generosity, for her comforting smile, and for the love of her family.
Katherine is survived by her daughter, Patti Jo Collins of Grinnell; son, Steven (Suzie) Arment of Searsboro; two granddaughters, Nicole and Natalie Arment of Searsboro; two brothers, Dennis Watson of Searsboro and Doug (Carol) Watson of Clear Lake; and sister-in-law, Veda Reedy of Altoona.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles Arment in 2011; and sister, Karen Fulyater.
