Kathy S. Embree

Kathy S. Embree, 71, of Manito, passed away at 7:38 p.m. on Monday, November 4, 2024 at the Richard Owens Hospice House in Peoria. She was born on July 11, 1953 in Pekin, Illinois to William and Nelda (Bartels) Rochester. She married Stanley C. Embree at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Topeka on July 14, 1973.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Stanley of Manito; daughters, Betsy (Mike) Rowe of Pekin and Jessica (Robbie) Golden of Manito; grandchildren, Breckin Guy, Sean Guy, Baily (Cass) Golden, Sidney Golden, Madison (Brady) Vannaken, and Ethan Golden; great-grandchildren, Cammie and Bash Golden; and brother, Larry (Cheryl) Rochester of Marquette Heights. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Elanor Gosnell; and brothers, Robert Dale Rochester, Ray Rochester, and Ronald Rochester.
Kathy was a 1971 graduate of Forman High School. She was baptized as a child and confirmed in 1966 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Topeka and later transferred her membership to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Manito, where she was a Sunday school teacher and choir director. She worked for 17 years as a teacher’s aid at Spring Lake School District #606 with her good friend Cindy. Kathy loved spending time with her grandkids, sewing, quilting, and art. She especially enjoyed attending her grandkids sporting events.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, November 10, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Maas-Hurley Funeral Home in Manito. Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 11, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Manito, with another visitation one hour prior to the service from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Rev. Matthew Berndt will officiate. Burial will follow the service at Meadow Lawn Cemetery in Manito.
Memorial donations may be made in Kathy’s name to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or St. Paul’s Lutheran Church for Seminary Scholarships. Online condolences can be left for her family at www.hurleyfh.com.
Maas-Hurley Funeral Home in Manito is in charge of arrangements.