Kate Glinsmann

KATE GLINSMANN

Washington

Kate Glinsmann, 63, of Washington, died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019, surrounded by family and friends in her home. A funeral service will be held at Immanuel Lutheran Church at 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. Family will be present at 2:30 p.m. Kate requested no flowers, instead asking donations be made either to the ELCA Good Gifts program to send a girl to school (https://tinyurl.com/t46ddnu) or to the Kindness Closet program at Washington Junior and High schools.

Despite living in Iowa for over four decades, Kate was never able to quite shake the Chicago accent she acquired from being born and raised in Evanston, Ill., on April 20, 1956.

It was not until later in life we learned why she always said "I did dumb stuff so you don't have to." Apparently Chicago in the '60s was the Wild West, as Kate's list of shenanigans is endless. Making her dad bike down to the police station to pick her up after she and her best friend stole the family car at age 13 is one of the few stories she was comfortable putting in print.

A lifelong educator, Kate discovered her passion for teaching at the University of Iowa in 1976. For over 30 years, she saw the best version of every child she worked with, believing endlessly in their potential and ability to change the world as she worked with preschoolers with special needs, kindergartners and English language learners.

Kate tapped into a well of creativity with her stained glass artwork, eventually melding it with her love of teaching by hosting classes and helping others find their own artistic spark.

Called to do good, Kate was a tireless advocate of those in need, particularly children, mothers and refugees.

Kate is now dancing with her parents, Don and Peggy. Her legacy of love lives on through her two sons, Ike and Peter; daughter-in-love, Bethany; two adopted daughters, Heather and Mikala; her three sisters, Sue, Jennifer and Mallory; nieces, Miranda and Veronica; and a group of friends that extends around the globe.