Katherine Louise Hale's Obituary
Katherine Louise Hale was born on September 11, 1952, to Rev. H. D. Rosenberger and Marie (Green) Rosenberger. Kathy lived in several places throughout her childhood, including Winterset, Iowa; Moline, Illinois; Kenosha, Wisconsin; Rhinelander, Wisconsin, Chicago, Illinois; and Los Angeles, California. Kathy treasured her time "up north," where she created lasting memories ice skating, fishing, tobogganing, and enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.
She attended Bloom High School in Chicago where she was a cheerleader, class officer, and on the Prom Court before moving to Los Angeles for her senior year, where she graduated as a nobody. She came to Tulsa to attend Oral Roberts University, where she majored in education. While at ORU, she met Preston Hale at a freshman picnic. Their first memorable outing together was to the stock car races at the Tulsa Fairgrounds. Kathy was also a cheerleader at ORU. They dated throughout their college years and were married on December 18, 1973, at Grace Lutheran Church in Tulsa. After their marriage, they lived in Glendale, California for two years before moving back to Tulsa.
Kathy continued her education by earning her Master's Degree in Education from Northeastern State University. She devoted her life to teaching and mentoring others. Early in her career, she taught second grade at Lincoln Elementary for Tulsa Public Schools. Preston's career with Helmerich & Payne took the family to South America, where they lived in both Bolivia and Venezuela for seven years.
Kathy learned Spanish and used those skills to run two pre-schools for English and Spanish speaking children in South America. After returning from South America, she taught Spanish at Metro Christian Academy and Owasso Public Schools. Kathy and a friend Tammy, wrote, produced, and starred in a Spanish Television show for Tulsa Public Schools. In addition to her work in education, she was deeply committed to counseling women through Crisis Pregnancy Centers in Colorado and later in Tulsa. She also mentored women who had spent time in prison, offering guidance, hope, and encouragement.
An avid outdoorswoman, Kathy enjoyed jogging, camping, fishing and hunting. She hunted deer and turkey and even proudly harvested an elk. Whether in the classroom, in ministry, in the woods, or around a dinner table full of family and friends, Kathy lived with enthusiam and purpose.
Kathy and Preston raised their two children, Brandon and Courtney. Her greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her husband, Preston Hale; her son, Brandon Hale and wife Stefanie, and their children Elise, Sofia, Colette, Thomas, and John; her daughter, Courtney Westfall and husband Kyle, and their children Liam, Brody, and Emmie; her sister, Debbie Fuller and husband Foch; and her stepmother, Margaret Rosenberger. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sisters, Judy and Sharon.
Kathy loved the Lord, loved her family, and loved people. She was known for her vibrant personality, her warmth, and her unforgettable laugh. She was truly fun to be around and brought joy wherever she went. Her life was marked by faith, service, adventure, and deep love for those around her. She leaves behind a legacy of compassion, strength, and joyful devotion.
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