Kathe H. Finnerty

June 19, 1918 - June 12, 2011

Kathe H. Finnerty, 92 of North Vernon passed away at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at Jennings Healthcare Center in North Vernon.

Born on June 19, 1918 in Germany, Kathe was the daughter of the late Joseph and Rosa Holtermann Hulsmann. She and her twin sister, Maria, were the two youngest of six children. The family was in the ceramics business and owned farms in Germany and Kathe retained a life long interest in gardening, working in her garden into her 90's. Kathe came to the U.S. in 1951, leaving post war Germany for a new life after having suffered many hardships during World War II. She was sponsored by her cousin, Father Omer Eisenmann, who was the pastor of St. Mary's Church in North Vernon for 37 years. Kathe served as his housekeeper until her marriage to Edward P. Finnerty on October 6, 1955 and he preceded her in death. She was employed part time by the North Vernon branch of the American Red Cross from 1970-1972 where she taught First Aid classes and provided administrative support for the organization. She worked at the Muscatatuck State Developmental Center from 1972 to 1980.

Kathe's life was centered around St. Mary's Catholic Church for 50 years where she was involved in the Daughters of Isabella and other church activities. She was also active in the Hospital Guild at what is now St. Vincent Jennings Hospital for more than 20 years and, later in life, in the local German Club.

She is survived by two daughters, Corinne Finnerty of North Vernon and Karen Fleetwood of Seymour , two grandchildren, Jarod and Lauren Fleetwood both of Seymour, and sons-in-law Don Lee of North Vernon and Kevin Fleetwood of Seymour.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, five brothers, Hubert, Alfons, Otto, Rev. Benno, and Ewald Hulsmann, and a sister Maria J. Hulsmann.

Funeral Information

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday June, 15, 2011 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in North Vernon with Rev. Jonathan Meyer officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday evening at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral Home with a Rosary service at 3:30. Burial will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

Donations Information

Memorials may be made through the funeral home to St. Mary's School.