Katherine Vargo

Katherine Vargo, age 100, of Belding, passed away suddenly on Sept 4, 2020 at home with her loving daughter at her side. Katherine was born Mar. 18, 1920, in Javornik, Czechoslovakia, to Martin and Katerina Rumisek.   A graduate of Ionia High School and the University of Michigan, she studied post-graduate education at UM, Michigan State, and Kellogg College.

On Oct. 25, 1947, she married Stephen Vargo, and they enjoyed almost 50 years of marriage until his passing in 1997. Over the course of her career at Belding High School she taught Math, English, Spanish, French and Adult Education. From a young age, Katherine enjoyed playing the piano, dancing, snow skiing, and competing in basketball and tennis. Later and into retirement, she and her husband also enjoyed golfing and dancing with the Belding Dance Club. All her life she was an avid reader and kept current on world events. She also loved traveling and learning about other people and places. Even after retirement, she was always willing to share her knowledge in any subject with anyone interested in learning. An avid gardener, she delighted in spending summers with her grandchildren, traveling with them, and teaching them to swim, fish, boat, and even to try golf.

Katherine is greatly missed by her family and friends, including many former students. She is survived by her son, Martin Vargo, daughter Katherine A. Vargo, grandchildren Aaron and Kristina, and  great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sister, Anne Honson, and two nephews.

A private family ceremony and burial will be held later at Balcom Cemetery, Ionia. Memorials may be given to Alvah N. Belding Memorial Library. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home

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