Kathryn Alice Havelka

Kathryn Alice “Katie” Havelka passed away September 9, 2024. Katie was born September 22, 1928, in Schuyler, Nebraska to Robert W. and Clara Jonas Shonka. She graduated from Schuyler High School in 1946. In 1948, she married Frank J. “Smoke” Havelka. They moved to Moultrie, Georgia around 1950 and stayed there for five years; Katie worked as an executive secretary for the Georgia Peanut Company. In 1956, they relocated to San Marcos, Texas, where they lived about three years prior to coming to Oklahoma City around 1959; Katie has resided here since. Katie was a member of Epiphany of Our Lord Catholic Church and was a “Yellow Dog Democrat”. (She broke out in hives after President George Bush was elected to his second term in 2004.)

She was preceded in death by her husband Frank “Smoke”, parents Bob and Clara Shonka, brother Martin Shonka, and son-in-law James Lape. Katie is survived by her five children, Joan Roberts, Jean Lape, Jane Havelka, Judy Havelka, and John Havelka; grandchildren, Katie Miller, Carrie Rozell and husband Justin, Kyle Lape and wife Laura, Tech Sgt Cody Lape, Chris Miller and wife Cyra, Brooke Owen and husband Jeremy, Claire Roberts, Ryan Roberts and wife Anna; 6 ½ great grandchildren, Juan Puga, Dylan Kastner, James Lape, Ian Lape, Colin Lape, and Miles Roberts and Miles’ brother due in January; and special family friend, Don Karchmer. She was the best mom, grandma and great grandma. She taught each of her children to be strong and put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward after their father was tragically killed in a plane crash in 1970. Katie worked many jobs, including the State of Oklahoma Highway Safety, Benber Corp., Dr. Livingston, Governor Nigh, Mercy Hospital, and the Oklahoma Tax Commission, to keep the family afloat.

Special thanks to Helen DeGrate and Lynette Blanchey for their extra loving care of our mother, as well as her wonderful hospice nurses, Kendra, Raquel, and Becky, and the staff at Epworth Villa.

An Evening Prayer Service will be held at 5 pm Wednesday and Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 am Thursday, both liturgies will be at Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, Epworth at Home, or a charity of your choice.