Obituary for Kathleen Jo Fossum

Kathleen Jo Fossum, 75, of Waukon, Iowa, passed away Saturday, May 23rd, 2026. Services will be held Friday, July 10th at 11 AM, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon Iowa. Family and Friends will be able to visit the family prior to the service from 9-11 at the church. After the service, family and friends will be welcomed to gather at The Empty Nest Winery for visitation and a lunch.

Kathy Jo Waldron was born July 12th, 1950 in Waukon, Iowa to Bill and Marge Waldron. Kathy was baptized and confirmed at St. Patrick’s Church in Waukon. She attended St. Patrick’s School in Waukon, grades 1-12, and graduated from St. Patrick’s High School in 1968. Kathy worked at the Waukon Bakery during her school years.

After high school, Kathy attended LA James Beauty College in Mason City, IA for a one year program. She moved to Spencer, IA and taught beauty school at La James College for four years. She then moved to Park Forest, IL and later to Flossmoor, IL where she welcomed her beautiful daughter, Brenda. Brenda was adopted by an arranged adoption. And many years later, Kathy and Brenda were reunited and remained close. After many years, Kathy reunited with a past boyfriend that she had dated previously for 1 and a half years. Jim Fossum came back into her life and four months later they were
married, April 29th, 1979 in Waukon, IA.

Kathy worked in Waukon as a hairdresser for about a year at Kristis’ Style Setter. It was in March 1984, their son, Michael, was born. They moved to Winona, MN for about four years for different job opportunities. In 1989 Kathy and the family moved back to Waukon to buy the Waukon Bakery. For 12 years, they operated the bakery until closing it in 2001. After closing the bakery, Kathy and Jim decided to manage and operate the Vet’s Club in Waukon. Four years later, Kathy decided to go to Nursing school in Calmar, IA, at the age of 55. About 2 years later, she started her nursing career at Good Samaritan Center. She worked here for about 10 years. It was then time for another move. Kathy and Jim moved to Arizona for nicer weather that April. Kathy had to take nursing boards and then quickly found a nursing job at Sun City West – Colonade Senior Living Center for 2 years, and then she went to a Good Samaritan Nursing Home to work for 1 year. She continued nursing, having worked in AZ for 4 years before moving back to Iowa. They moved back to Iowa in 2017 and Kathy continued to her nursing career at Good Sam, Northgate, and Southcrest for about 1-2 years. They moved to Monona, IA and bought a house right in the middle of town. Kathy started working at Garden View Nursing Home for about 2 years. They stayed in Monona about 4 years and then moved back to Waukon spring of 2025 and rented a condo on the golf course.

Throughout her lifetime, Kathy has enjoyed and still enjoyed many activities. She enjoyed reading, cooking, fishing, spending time at the river, doing cross-stitching, playing cards with her sisters and family, listening to Relevant Radio, going to church groups, participating in CEW and entertaining family and friends. Kathy enjoyed being active with CEW and served on the St. Pat’s Church Board. She also was an active member of the Ladies Auxiliary.

She is preceded in death by her parents William and Marjorie Waldron, one brother, Rick Waldron, one sister, Gwen Waldron, two sister in laws, Jean Waldron and Anita Waldron, two brother in laws, Frank Selder and Monte Smith.

She is survived by her husband Jim Fossum, her son Michael Fossum, her daughter Brenda Long (Husband Brian), Stepson Jimmy Fossum (Wife Ginger Fossum and daughters McKenzie Fossum and Ally Mink(husband Tyler and their daughter Raelynn). 5 sisters, Jan Votroubek (Husband, Ed), Sue Smith, Wendy Waldron( Husband, Larry Stott), Peggy Thomas(Husband Tim), and Jane Sivesind (Husband, Dan), 2 brothers, Den Waldron (wife Becky Picard), and Greg Waldron (wife Moira), as well as several nieces and nephews, and several close friends. A private graveside service will be at a later date.

In Lieu of Flowers donations can be sent to St. Patrick’s Schools, Veteran’s Memorial Hospital, or Good Samaritan Center.