Kathy Arlene (Schurr) Davidson

Kathy Arlene (Schurr) Davidson 77, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away at home from a battle with cancer on December 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She is now with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

“Be stronger than the storm”.
[Depicted on a necklace given by her granddaughter]

“God is our refuge and strength,” Ps 46:1
[Shared by a friend]

A celebration of life for Kathy will take place at 11:00 AM, on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
Fort Des Moines Open Bible Church, 1116 Army Post Rd, Des Moines 50315
(A sandwich luncheon will be provided following the service.)

Kathy was born on March 24, 1948, in Osmond, NE to Neman and Arlene Schurr of Wausa, NE. At age 13 her family moved to Norfolk, NE. There she graduated from Norfolk Senior High School in 1966. She attended Northeast Community College in Norfolk, NE for one year prior to moving to Sioux City, IA. There, she met her husband Gary Lee Davidson of Des Moines, IA and was married in Norfolk, NE on September 8, 1968. Celebrating 57 years of marriage in 2025.

Since the time she was a little girl in Wausa, NE Kathy has enjoyed the outdoors, the park, and always going to the public swimming pool. She loved the water. Later, in the years ahead, she looked forward to traveling to Gulf Shores, AL. Kathy and her husband, Gary, made multiple trips to Alabama over the years to vacation near the gulf and walk the white sandy beaches.

At home, Grays Lake was always the destination, to be outside, and walk around the lake. On Fridays, they would make it a ‘Fourmile Friday’, a trek over to the 1st Street bridge and back. Sometimes, only returning after having breakfast at Mullets. She enjoyed the warm sunshine the most. But she still managed to bundle up on cooler fall weather days and make that walk around Grays Lake.

Year-round, Kathy enjoyed the birds from her four seasons porch. It was her hobby to feed the birds and make notes of the different birds she saw. She looked for cardinals the most, yet they were not frequent visitors as much as some others. She purchased the bird seed that would match the appetite of her feathered friends and delighted seeing the results.

While Kathy’s husband Gary was in the Air Force and stationed at Norton AFB in San Bernardino, CA, Kathy chose to attend a Dental Assistant Training School. Once completed, she worked as a dental assistant for an Oral Surgeon in San Bernardino. Kathy was methodical and diligent in how she approached her work.

In 1976, when Gary was discharged from the Air Force, their family returned to Des Moines. Prior to departing California, Kathy sent an application for employment to an Orthodontist office. Upon receiving an interview, Kathy was hired to work with Orthodontist C. Charles Collins DDS. Having worked as a dental assistant for several years and then as a receptionist, she retired, following 38 years of dedicated work with Dr Collins. She always reflected on the excellent quality of care he gave his patients, which impressed her a great deal.

Kathy was a mother who loved her children dearly, Kari, Chad, and Matthew. She didn’t identify as a soccer mom but saw to it that they had every advantage necessary to succeed. It meant a lot to her that they understood the importance of their efforts made a difference in the things they needed to do. Whether the children recognized it or not at the time, Kathy put her whole self into their wellbeing and love of family. And since then, they have warmly returned that love and caring for their mother.

As part of her extended family, Kathy found a church home through a close friend and began attending Fort Des Moines Open Bible Church. It was a blessing to her to worship and study God’s word with others. She gained the friendships of many thoughtful people in the church, which she always felt blessed to receive.

Kathy had a passion for the children’s nursery and became a volunteer for many years. She was always pleased to watch the children grow up and when they acknowledged her, she was on cloud nine. She felt for the children as she would her own and took the time on extra occasions to be sure the nursery had everything it needed and made every effort to keep it in the best condition.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents Neman and Arlene Schurr.

She is survived by her husband, Gary, daughter Kari (Matthew) Catron, grandsons Sam and Zach, son Chad (Shy Ann) Davidson, grandson Iain and granddaughter Kayla, son Matthew (Samantha) Davidson, and brother Jim (Karen) Schurr of Lincoln, NE.

The family would like to recognize the nurses and staff of Unity Point Hospice Home Care for their thoughtful and inciteful attention to Kathy’s medical needs. On every visit, the nurses were calming, dedicated, and thorough in their approach to Kathy’s care.

In lieu of flowers, because of Kathy’s passion for the children, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to: St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, PO BOX 50, Memphis, TN 38101-9929, or to The Children’s Ministry of Fort Des Moines Open Bible Church, 1116 Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com.

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