Kathleen Frances (Rettenmaier) Birch 92 of Dubuque, died Thursday, February 8, 2018 in Dubuque of complications from strokes. She was born to Francis and Henrietta Rettenmaier as their sixth child, in Dubuque, IA on May 2, 1925. She grew up and lived her entire life in Dubuque.

She graduated from Dubuque Senior High School in 1943. During WWII, she worked as a telephone operator for Bell Telephone Company while attending high school and following graduation. She married Howard A. Birch on June 12, 1946, he passed away on April 9, 1993 and spent her life as a communicant of Sacred Heart, and later St. Anthony’s in Dubuque. She worked as a telephone operator and gift wrapper at Stampfer’s Department Store until they closed in 1981. Following that, she was a store manager of the GNC at the Kennedy Mall until she retired in 1990.

Mrs. Birch belonged to a social dinner and coffee group for many years. She and her husband traveled annually with a group of former members of the USS San Francisco, visiting many areas of the US and Europe and reuniting after their many tours of duty during WWII. Both groups contributed a great deal of joy and good memories to the lives of both Mrs. Birch and her husband.

She was preceded in death by her husband Howard in 1993, father Francis (age 89) in 1976 and mother Henrietta (age 96) in 1988, sisters Sylvia and Marion in 1925, Geraldine in 2013, brothers Edward in 1956, Charles in 2011, and grandson John of Davenport, IA in 2017.

She is survived by her four children; Geraldine Birch Hurst of Vancouver, WA, Diane M. and James R. Birch (Laurie) of Dubuque, and William X Birch (Lynn) of Bolingbrook, IL; granddaughters, Dr. Kristine Hurst-Wajszczuk (Joseph) of Fultondale, AL. and Teri Birch (widow of John) of Davenport, IA; grandsons, Brian J. Hurst (Elisabeth) of Portland, OR, Chris J. Birch (Crystal) of Olive Branch, MS, Lee R. Birch (Jodi) of Parkersburg, IA, and Brandon I. Birch of Bolingbrook, IL. She has 2 great granddaughters and 3 great grandsons.

Visiting hours will be at Hoffmann-Schneider & Kitchen Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 3860 Asbury Road, Dubuque on Sunday, February 11, 2018 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church on Monday, February 12, 2018 at 10:00 am. Conducted by Rev. Steven Rosonke. Burial will be in Linwood Cemetery.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff at University of Iowa hospitals, Iowa City.

A memorial fund has been established in Kathleen’s memory.

Online condolences may be left at www.hskfh.com