Katherine Jean (Wilhelmson) Greiner passed from this life, peacefully at home, surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, July 22, 2021 at 10:15 pm at the age of 78. Katherine was born in Covina, California, on March 30, 1943, to Ruth Adina Wilhelmson, who had emigrated to America from Sweden.
Very early in life, Katherine and her mother moved to Santa Rosa, California, where she completed her high school education. From there she moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, where she lived for five years. From Fairbanks, Katherine relocated to Central Texas where she lived for the rest of her life.
Even though Katherine had been diagnosed with a terminal blood disease in November 2018 and knew what the final outcome of her illness would be, she never stopped fighting and continued to enjoy every moment of life and share her joy with her friends and loved ones.
On January 5, 2005, Katherine married Ronald Paul “Ron” Greiner. Ron says that throughout their time together, even during her illness, Katherine provided the strength he needed so much, and his memories of her, he says, are going to help him keep going. Ron also says that he loved her very much and will always miss her more than words can describe. She was not only his wife, but also a wonderful friend.
Katherine was blessed to have had three children: Alana Jean (Goodwin) Lee of Guerneville, California; Charles Edward Barr of Copperas Cove, Texas; and Jeniffer Jean Barr along with Jeniffer’s husband Johnny Karner of Round Rock, Texas. Katherine also has three grandchildren: Jacquelyn Jean Boden of Lampasas, Texas whom Katherine raised from the age of five and is more of a daughter than a granddaughter; William Dakotah Lee of Tupelo, Mississippi; and Morgan Cheyenne (Lee) Owens of Tupelo, Mississippi. Her great-grandchildren are Avery Jean Boden of Lampasas, Texas, and Weston Lee Owens of Tupelo, Mississippi.
Katherine’s stepchildren are: Rebecca Lynn (Greiner) Bolinger of Lampasas, Texas; Rhonda Leigh (Greiner) Cockrell of Lampasas, Texas; and James Clayton “Clay” Greiner of Pratt, Kansas. Katherine also had a number of step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
It should also be mentioned that Katherine was very close to Carolyn Lackey of Lampasas, Texas, Ron’s sister-in-law, and her companion Darrell Conway of Aransas Pass, Texas. The four of them spent a lot of time together, whether in one of their homes socializing or going out to their favorite restaurants. One of the ladies’ favorite things was to go to the local nail salon to get manicures and pedicures. They both were always ready to help the other out doing things like house sitting, pet sitting or driving the other to wherever they needed to go.
Katherine was preceded in death by her mother Ruth, her stepfather George Kilstrom, her daughter Alana’s father Paul Goodwin, and her son Charles’ and daughter Jeniffer’s father Frank Barr.
Katherine was a very high-energy woman and stayed busy every hour of the day whether at work at Walmart, where she worked for many years, or at home where she loved to work in the yard, cook, and keep her house spotless and perfectly organized. Even when she was camping, everything was kept clean and organized. Everyone thought she just did not know how to relax when, in reality, she was relaxed, she was just doing what she loved to do.
Not only did Katherine very much enjoy working hard, she also played hard. In her younger years, she raced sport cars. She loved the excitement of speed which was exhibited later on by the way she operated the family speed boat. Her husband Ron says that although she would not break any traffic laws, when she got behind the wheel of her Ram truck, she could scare the daylights out of him.
Other areas of fun and enjoyment for Katherine were travel and camping. She loved visiting Texas and National Parks. Although she would occasionally agree to stay in a hotel, she preferred tent camping. Her philosophy was that you can’t have a campfire in a hotel room to sit around and tell stories, enjoy the fresh air, or just look at the stars and marvels of the universe that God had created. Katherine’s two favorite trips and memories were the trips to Fort Davis, Texas, where she attended a “Star Party” at the McDonald Observatory and her trip to the Grand Canyon where she was able to get in a chartered airplane and fly over the canyon to see the true beauty of it all.
Katherine also enjoyed hiking and fishing, but her favorite pastime of all was being with Avery Jean Boden, her great-granddaughter and best friend. She was Avery’s babysitter while her mom was working, and every day when it was time to pick Avery up from school, Katherine was happier than a child on Christmas morning.
Katherine was also an avid animal lover. Over the years, she had adopted many pets, most of which have preceded her in death. The three surviving are her two cats, Ritz and Baby, and a female cockatiel named Charlie, which was her favorite.
At Katherine’s request, there will be no visitation or formal funeral services other than a private family gathering. She also requested that there be no plants or flowers sent. Katherine made it very clear that she wanted everyone to remember her as she was throughout her life and not at or after her death. She also requested that any charitable donations be made to the Lampasas Animal Shelter or to the charitable organization of one’s own choosing. She wanted all her friends and loved ones to know that she had no regrets. Even though she had made mistakes in her life, she is now at peace with our loving and forgiving God.
