Kathryn G. Werling

Kathryn G. Werling died Friday, April 6, 2012 at Westminster-Thurber Community. She was 88 years old. Kathryn was born on August 10, 1923, in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Reid and Laura Mae Glover. Kathryn spent most of her childhood in Villa Park, Illinois. The death of her father in 1933 led to relocation of the family to Anderson, Indiana. Kathryn eventually attended Indiana University to study piano. It was at Indiana that she met her future husband, Reinhold H. Werling. They married in 1944. Together they raised four children, Lauren (1945), Mark (1946), Thomas (1948) and Franz (1950). The Werling family moved briefly to Mancos, Colorado, then to Fort Wayne, Indiana, and finally to Columbus. Kathryn and Reinhold divorced in 1967. Kathryn studied medicine and used this training to secure positions as a medical technician at Mt. Carmel and Riverside Hospitals, and later found work as a technician in Ohio State's Ophthalmology Department. She remained there for 35 years, enjoying the trust, confidence and friendship of numerous colleagues. At one point she co-authored a number of scientific papers with doctors on the staff. She enjoyed meeting international students and doctors, friendships she maintained for the rest of her life. She bought a home close to the University which in due course she owned outright. Kathryn had numerous interests in the arts-crafts, cinematic, musical and literary-as well as sports. She was a great reader and tirelessly uncovered new essayists, novelists and writers, amassing a vast library. She loved animals, especially cats. She kept many cats as pets and took care of the neighborhood strays as well. She was a champion of the underdog and openhearted to a fault. She is preceded in death by her parents Reid Glover and Laura Mae Dwyer (Glover), her sister Beulah Mae Glover, and many cats, too numerous to name, and survived by her children, Lauren Werling of Marion, OH, Mark Werling of Columbus, Thomas Werling of the Philippines, Franz Werling of Livermore, CA; beloved cats, Shelley and Dante, also of Livermore; and other cats as well. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 14, 2012 at RUTHERFORD FUNERAL HOME, 2383 NORTH HIGH STREET, COLUMBUS where friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Friday. Burial: Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please donate to a favorite animal welfare charity such as Pet Promise, 4812 Kenny Road, Columbus, OH 43220, (614) PET-2149 petpromise.org.