Kathleen Powell

Kathleen (Kathy) Powell, 85, of Thomasboro passed away Monday (Aug. 21, 2023) at home.

Kathy was born July 16, 1938, in Shakopee, Minnesota. Her parents were Edward and Edna Morran.

Her family lived in many places including Shakopee, MN; Orange, TX: Tacoma, WA: and Colorado Springs, CO.

While in Tacoma, her beloved uncle Rudy and aunt Ann made it possible for her to attend and graduate from Aquinas Academy, a parochial school for girls. During her time in Tacoma, she and her brother Eddie won dance contests together.

Moving to Colorado Springs, she met her first husband Raymond (Ed) OBrien who was stationed at Fort Carson. They moved to Champaign and had two children Michael (Mike) OBrien and Ann OBrien.

Kathy then married Myron (Lyndell) Powell on September 18, 1996 in Champaign, IL.

Motorcycling was always a huge part of Kathys life. She was a 63 year Golden Life Member of the Motor Maids. Most trips that Kathy took included her best friend Nancy Laplante as they journeyed cross country together. Kathy rode until just a few years ago and she still owned a motorcycle!

Kathy was also a member of the Junior Womens Club for many years. In 1971, she wrote, directed, and starred in the Tom Thumb Theatre childrens play "Winnie the Pooh", including making Poohs costume. The fundraiser filled the theater in Centennial High Schools auditorium with children who were thrilled to meet Pooh!

As a skilled bowler, Kathy was on a weekly bowling league for many years. She was also a talented seamstress and had partnered with her sister Patty to make custom drapes at the Drape Depot for several years.

Kathy was always a hard worker holding many jobs over the years. She worked at Dog n Suds as a carhop, a Champaign bank, the Illini Union Bookstore, and Humko, to name a few. One of Kathys "side jobs" was operating a spotlight for many events at the Assembly Hall (State Farm Center) which included climbing ALL the steps up to the spotlight platform! She also created costumes for Sunshine Dinner Theater, and for her grandchildren for their theater performances, including when her grandson Kevin was "King" for Madrigals at St. Thomas More.

Once she moved to Thomasboro, she gladly joined St. Elizabeths church. One year she made "angel dolls" from retired altar cloths for a fundraiser.

Once in Thomasboro, she adopted 3 feral cats and found a resource to spay/neuter them. One of the cats became her "lap cat" who not only lived indoors but begged for tuna each day.

Preceding her in death were her husband, Lyndell; son Mike (Bart); parents; brother Eddie; and grandson Kevin.

Surviving her are her daughter Ann; sisters Joan Hall of Rantoul and Patricia Ebeling of Urbana; and granddaughter Rachel Hodge of Champaign.

A prayer service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 6, 2023 with Father Joel Phelps officiating. Visitation will immediately follow until 6pm at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center 710 N. Neil St. Champaign, IL. 61820.

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, please send memorials to sterileferal.net or St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church c/o St. Malachy Catholic Church in Rantoul, IL.

Please join her family in sharing memories, photos, and condolences on her tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com

Services Prayer Service Wednesday September 6, 2023 4:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, , IL 61820 Celebration of Life Wednesday September 6, 2023 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, , IL 61820