GALESBURG - Katherine E. Blackburn, 76, Galesburg, died at 12:15 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2017 at home.
Katherine was born Dec. 11, 1940, in Galesburg, the daughter of Karl A. and Mildred M. Tuthill Sandburg. She married Robert E. Blackburn of Galesburg on July 14, 2001, in Tacoma, Washington. She is survived by her loving husband; two sons, Jeff (Lynne) Cunningham of Olympia, Washington, and Timothy Courson of Galesburg; two stepsons, Ryan (Rachael) Blackburn of Chicago and Duffy (Rachel) Blackburn of Joliet; eight grandchildren; and two great grandchildren. She is also survived by one sister, Karen Moon of Franklin, Virginia. She was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, B. Karlene Miller.
Katherine worked at Ball Foster in Lincoln for many years, retiring in 1995. She later worked as the warehouse manager for Blackburn Sampling in Galesburg. She was a longtime member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and was a member of the B. Karlene Relay for Life team. Katherine operated K's Krafts with her sisters for several years. She also enjoyed bowling and playing bingo.
The rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m. Tuesday, March 21, 2017, at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg, with visitation following from 6 to 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, 2017, at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church. Rev. Msgr. Ernest Pizzamiglio will officiate. Burial will follow in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg. Memorials may be made in Katherine's memory to the Ladies of Mary or the GHS Girl's Soccer Program.