Kathryn Zbinden

Kathryn Zbinden, 92, died peacefully, attended by her family, on March 18, 2023. Kathy was born August 1, 1930, third of three children, to Edward and Florence (Mennen) Mallett in Evansville, Indiana. Her father was Production Manager at the Ideal Pure Milk Company.

Kathy graduated from Evansville’s Bosse High School in 1948 and went on to study at Wittenberg College, where she earned a degree in Home Economics in 1952. She briefly worked for Nestle in Marysville, Ohio, before marrying Hans Zbinden in 1953. Together, they lived in Philadelphia while Hans earned his master's degree, and later in Manhattan, Kansas, where Hans completed his military service, Kathy worked at Kansas State University, and the couple welcomed their first daughter, Elizabeth.

After Hans completed his military duty, the couple moved on to central Pennsylvania where the family welcomed their second daughter, Susan, and Hans earned a PhD from Penn State.

The family finally settled in Akron, Ohio, where Kathy's focus was always on her family, church, and service to others. She was active in the PTA, volunteered in the school library, and assisted with her daughters' Girl Scout troop activities. She developed her library volunteering into employment as the beloved "Story Lady" in Akron's elementary school libraries. She created and presented story programs ranging from Peter Rabbit to Indonesian shadow puppets to Colonial American lore.

Kathy was also an active member of Faith Lutheran Church of Fairlawn, Ohio. She was involved with the "Busy Fingers" Sewing Group, served on the Altar Committee, and stitched one of the beautiful kneelers that grace the Communion railings at Faith Lutheran Church. She had a knack for welcoming new arrivals and again built her volunteering into employment, this time as Minister of Discipleship and Outreach.

After retiring, Kathy and Hans loved to travel together. They took cruises to Scandinavia and Alaska, attended the Shaw Festival in Ontario, Canada, visited New Orleans and New York, Germany and Italy. Their last big trip was to see the ancient Mayan lands.

Two of Kathy's loves led to her daughters’ careers. Her love of nature and joy in finding unique rocks while walking or beachcombing sparked the geologist in Elizabeth, while her love of reading and storytelling helped launch Susan toward a career as a librarian.

Kathy is survived by her daughters Elizabeth Zbinden and husband James Bell of Reno, NV, and Susan (Zbinden) Conner and husband Bruce Conner of Tewksbury, MA; her brother Gordon Mallett of Zionsville, IN; brothers-in-law Arthur Zbinden of Fort Washington, PA, and Christian Zbinden of San Francisco, CA; as well as her nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Hans, and her brother William Mallett.

Kathryn Zbinden will be missed by all who knew her. Her gentle nature and kind spirit brought out the best in everyone she knew.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Ohio Living Rockynol for their care and thoughtfulness during Kathy's time there.

Funeral service will take place THURSDAY, March 23, 2023 at 1:30 PM at Faith Lutheran Church, 2726 W Market St, Fairlawn, 44333. Friends may call from 12:30 PM until the time of service. Interment will follow at Glendale Cemetery.

Services in care of The Billow Funeral Homes & Crematory, Fairlawn Chapel, 85 N. Miller Road  Akron, OH  44333.