August 30, 2023 Katherine Ann (Katy) Devine, 93

Katherine Ann (Katy) Devine, 93, passed away on August 24, 2023, at Scottish Rite Park in Des Moines. Born at home on February 11, 1930 to Rolland and Ruth Buxton, in Lenox, Iowa; Katy played girls’ high school basketball, played the clarinet in the high school band, worked as a drug store soda jerk on Main Street, and was summer pianist in the Lenox Christian Church. Katy graduated from Lenox High School in 1947 and Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa in 1951. Katy graduated from Simpson with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and with a major and teaching certificate in Physical Education. She also completed graduate credits in the College of Education at Drake University.
While in college, Katy pledged with the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, Mu chapter; was an associate editor of the Simpsonian college newspaper; was President of the WRA Honor Society representing physical education for women; was awarded a Simpson letter and sweater; was elected into Simpson College representative women; and in her senior year was elected Indian Princess (Homecoming Queen).
Katy met Cleatie (Pat) Devine, Jr. of Des Moines while at Simpson and they became college sweethearts. They married on May 27, 1951, and have two sons: Michael Buxton (Mike) Devine, LL.M, of Des Moines; and The Rev. Timothy Patrick (Tim) Devine of Lacey, Washington.
Katy taught Physical Education at Hubbell Elementary School in Des Moines for two years (1951-1953) before starting a family. When she thought her sons no longer needed a stay-at-home mother, she returned to teaching. She was asked to be the first assistant teacher at Westminster Presbyterian Weekday Pre-School in Des Moines, a position she held for 24 years, retiring in 1992.
Katy was a PTA member and served a term as President for Byron Rice Elementary School; as well as being “home room 107 mother” for 6 years at Hoover High School for her sons (with teacher Ambrose Moses). She was a member and officer for Chapter Q PEO, the PEO social group at Scottish Rite Park, the Golden K Kiwanis Ladies, and the Des Moines Christian Women’s Association.
Katy was also a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church since 1951 where she was a Deacon, an officer in the Women’s Association, taught and was a pianist in the church Sunday School, and taught Vacation Bible School.
After the deaths of her parents Katy and her brother, Garland Buxton, were partners managing Buxton Family Farms in Adams and Taylor Counties. After the death of her brother, Katy herself managed Buxton Farms.
Katy was a voracious reader. She enjoyed watching sports on TV and was a dedicated Chicago Cubs fan. She enjoyed being with friends at the varied special luncheons at Scottish Rite Park. She and Pat often traveled to visit family: Great Britain and Europe (son Mike); Egypt and the Holy Land (son Tim); and New England and Northern California (granddaughter Lauren).
Katy was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Cleatie (Pat) Devine, Jr.; her parents Rolland and Ruth Buxton; and her brother Garland Buxton; by Pat’s parents Cleatie (Sr.) and Ivy Jane Devine; her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Geneva and W. Gene Carman; her nephew Jeff Carman; and her beloved granddaughter Lauren Devine.
Those cherishing her memory are son Mike Devine; son Tim Devine (David Anderson); niece Jodi Carman Kortsha (Dennis Kortsha) of Maple Grove, Minnesota; great nephew Cameron Snyder (Maya Harris) of Columbia Heights, Minnesota; and great great nephew Walter Snyder. Katy was one of 17 Buxton first cousins and is survived by two: Marleta Matheson of Cedar Falls, Iowa; and Juanita Connell of Bradenton, Florida.
Katy and Pat sold their Beaverdale home and moved to Scottish Rite Park in February 2006. Mike and Tim wish to thank the staff at Scottish Rite Park, and especially those in the Health Care Center where both Katy and Pat lived out their days. They would also like to thank Nick Maynes for his work with Buxton Farms.
A Service of the Celebration of the Life of Katherine Ann Devine will be held on Saturday, September 9 at 2:00 pm at Scottish Rite Park at 2909 Woodland Avenue in Des Moines.
Memorial contributions may be made to either Westminster Presbyterian Church, 4114 Allison Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50310; or The Good Life Fund at Scottish Rite Park, 2909 Woodland Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50312.
Katy lived her life full of love and integrity, never wanting to be in the spotlight.