Kathy Lee Berry

Kathy Lee Berry grew up in Colfax, as Kathie Lee Van Elsen. She was always active in school activities like drum majorette, student council, class president and took the Colfax Community HS girls basketball team to the State Tournament. Born Dec. 24, 1944, in Des Moines, she was raised by her parents, James Van Elsen and Helen Gabbert, and treasured her three siblings, Mike Van Elsen, Caran Van Elsen and Cristine Van Elsen Morehead. “Kath” as she was known in high school, was married in 1963 to Daniel Woods of Colfax and Mingo and they raised three boys, William Woods, Charles Woods and Frank Woods. Later in life (1997), Kathy married Terry Berry and spent several decades with Terry in Panama City Beach, Fla., doing what she loved — painting, designing digital art and fulfilling a desire to learn computer-related artist skills.

Kathy is preceded in death by her youngest son, Frank James Woods; her parents, James Van Elsen and Helen Van Elsen; and her cherished grandmother, Carrie Gabbert of Mitchellville.

Kathy was especially proud of her grandchildren, Meghan (Woods) Patton and Yianni Woods. Living life in Iowa, Illinois, Texas and Florida, Kathy put her all into raising a family that she was ultimately proud to call her own. Kathy Lee Berry left this life Aug. 8, 2021, in Panama City, Fla., after a long and debilitating battle with congestive heart and diabetes. She will be forever loved and missed by all that had an opportunity to know her.