Kathleen Ann Farkas

Kathleen Ann Farkas, age 90 recently passed away peacefully at her Anchorage home, surrounded by all five of her children. Born in 1928 in Omaha, Nebraska, Kathleen was raised on the family farm near Traer Iowa by her parents Joe and Katie Schrier, along with her brothers Bob and Jim. Kathleen graduated from Mount Mercy High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Bob and Kathleen married in 1948 in Waterloo, Iowa. Kathleen worked as a waitress, supporting her husband as he attended college in Milwaukee, WI and Chicago, IL. They later settled in Des Moines, Iowa where they raised their young family. In 1967 they began the greatest adventure of their lives, moving to Anchorage, AK. Kathleen was active in her childrens education, church, and community participating in voter registration, elections, and Anchorage Community Chorus which included a performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 1980 Kathleen graduated with her Bachelors Degree in Political Science from UAA and reentered the work force as a Career Placement Specialist. She later started her own Legal Career Placement Service. Thru the personal experience of grieving the loss of her own husband in 1997, Kathleen recognized an opportunity to support other widows and widowers in their time of need. She went on to establish and lead the Ministry of Bereavement at St. Patricks Catholic Church. The Ministry continues in Anchorage to this day. Kathleen was especially proud of her Irish heritage, often greeting others with a cheerful "Top of the Mornin to Ya!" in her best Irish brogue. Her love of coffee earned her the endearing nickname "Cafleen". Kathleen loved Alaska and would live nowhere else. Her morning ritual was to sit in her living room, with a cup of coffee, her cat Cara in her lap, reading the bible and pausing to look at her beloved Chugach Mountains. She never tired of driving along Turnagain Arm to enjoy the wonderful waterfalls and beautiful sunsets. Kathleen was preceded in death by her loving husband of 49 years Robert Farkas, brothers Robert Schrier (Merce) and James Schrier. She is survived by her children Gerard Farkas (Julie), Gera Lynn Farkas, Mary Beth Farkas (Richard Newton), Susan Huru (Matt) and Kelli Jo Farkas. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jacob Farkas, Jordan Farkas, Alex Newton, Joshua Boots, Stephanie Hendricks, Arelene Dunaway, Jenifer Bemrose; fifteen great grandchildren; sister in laws: Joanne Schrier and Roseanne Farkas; four nephews and six nieces. Extended family includes the Hughes and Skahill families. Kathleen was preceded in death by Marilyn Aspleaf, Bob Harrington, Jerry Harrington and David Hughes. All services will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church; 2111 Muldoon Road, Anchorage, Alaska on Wednesday, April 17, 2019. A viewing will take place from 10:00-10:50 am followed by a funeral mass at 11:00 am. A short, informal gathering will be held in the parish reception hall immediately following the service. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Patricks Church, Ministry of Bereavement.