Kathie was born in Kane, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 11, 1935, of Swedish ancestry. She passed away on Feb. 17, 2022, at age 87. Kathie was a people person, claiming there were no strangers, just friends she hadn’t yet met. She had a sense of humor and a laugh that could be picked out from an entire auditorium. Always a hard worker, Kathie went to work in her parents’ store when she was five and could count to 100. She loved children and taught elementary school and speech therapy during a long career. She was a beloved teacher who helped her 1st graders to become authors writing and illustrating their own books. She loved her Swedish family history and brought relatives together to remember many generations of ancestors and descendants. Kathie was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in numerous callings throughout her lifetime. Always positive and caring, Kathie was also adventurous, having traveled extensively and always living life to its fullest. Kathie is survived by her son Timothy Birt, daughter in law Jamie Marchant, nieces and nephews, and grand nieces and nephews including Kristina Porterfield Andriese. She was preceded in death by her husband Kurt Berger in 2019, and her grandson Jesse Marchant Birt in 2020.
A viewing and reception were held at 6 p.m. on Feb. 20 at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, 1500 Fredrick Road in Opelika. All who knew her are invited. She will go home for a funeral on February 26 in Warren, Pennsylvania, and burial in her hometown of Ludlow, Pennsylvania. In lieu of flowers, the family request those wishing to remember her to contribute to her grandson, Jesse Marchant Birt memorial scholarship fund at UAB at the following link www.giving.uab.edu/s/1881/giving19/ interior.aspx?sid=1881& gid=3&pgid=1676 .