Kathleen R. Housley
Kathleen R.(Scharf) Housley 9/20/1925 10/30/2023 Kathleen (Kay) Housley, age 98, was the oldest daughter from the marriage of W. Adam Scharf and F. Beatice Skaife. Two siblings followed: Sister Rosalie and brother John. They grew up on the family farm south of Curtis, Nebraska.
Kay was a good student, a voracious reader and became a teacher at the age of 17. Her first job was teaching in a one room school house.
Many of her students were only slightly younger than she.
In 1945 she married Emmert (Mert) Housley shortly after he returned home from WWII. They moved to Oregon where their son Rodger was born in 1946. A year later they moved back to the family farm and in 1948 their second son, Eldon was born.
They continued to farm and ranch until, Mert’s numerous surgeries “forced” an early retirement and subsequent move to Mesa, AZ in 1969 and later to Sun Lakes.
Kay quickly became bored with early retirement and joined the work force. First as a sales clerk for a large privately owned department store, later as book keeper for a large farming family, and finally was employed by Motorola. After retiring, she continued to live in Sun Lakes for many years before moving to Tucson to be closer to family.
She was preceded in death by parents, Adam and Beatrice, husband Mert, brother John (Doris) Scharf, sister Rosalie (Bob) Doyle, granddaughter Rochelle Housley, and nephew Gary Scharf.
She is survived by son Rodger (Tynette) Housley, son Eldon (Roxanne) Housley. Grandchildren Brian Housley, Brandon Housley, Nichole (Nick) Giacoma, and Clarissa (Guido) Caverson. Nephews John (Barbara) Scharf, Robert (Gayle) Scharf, and Ron Doyle. Nieces Debra Scharf, Nancy (Duane) Schneider, Diane (Gary) Hayden and Kim Doyle Newten. Great-grandchildren Jacob (Ashley) Giacoma, Jessica Giacoma, Drake Housley and Abigail (Cody) Miller and three great-great-grandchildren.
She led a long and fulfilling life and will be missed by all who knew her.
Memorials can be made in her name to: The Salvation Army, 555 N La Canada Dr Suite #101 Green Valley, AZ 85614 or Friends In Need, 301 W Camino Casa Verde, Green Valley, AZ 85614
