Kathrine Jane Rohner Segnitz

Kathrine Jane Rohner Segnitz

July 9, 1923 – June 21, 2026

Loving Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, and Friend

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Kathrine Jane Rohner Segnitz, affectionately known as “Kass,” passed away peacefully in June 21, 2026, just three weeks before what would have been her 103rd birthday.

Born in Carroll, Iowa, on July 9, 1923, Kathrine lived a life marked by adventure, service, devotion to family, and a deep curiosity about the world. Following high school, she joined the American Embassy Service and studied in the executive secretary program at American University in Washington, D.C.

Her work took her first to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where she served at the American Embassy for two years. Later, during World War II, she was assigned to Warsaw, Poland. There she met the love of her life, a physician who had established a field hospital caring for wounded soldiers arriving from the front lines. Six months later, they were married.

Throughout her life, Kathrine lived in: Boston, Massachusetts; Cleveland, Ohio; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Lexington, Kentucky; Culbertson, Montana; and eventually Portland, Oregon. She settled in Oregon in 1994 and quickly became a beloved member of the Sellwood-Westmoreland community.

Kathrine embraced life with energy and purpose. As an avid reader, dedicated gardener, and lifelong volunteer, she generously gave her time to help children learn to read and was known for maintaining a beautiful home and garden.

Family was the center of Kathrine’s life. As one of six children herself, she understood the importance of family bonds and took great joy in watching her own family grow across generations. 

Kathrine is survived by her 14 children, 23 grandchildren, and 25 great-grandchildren, as well as extended family members and dear friends whose lives were enriched by her warmth, wisdom, and generous spirit.

Those who knew Kathrine will remember her keen intellect, adventurous spirit, gracious manner, and unwavering devotion to family. Having lived nearly 103 years, she witnessed extraordinary changes in the world while remaining grounded in the values that defined her life: kindness, hard work, generosity, and love.

Kathrine’s family finds comfort in living life to the fullest with countless memories she leaves behind. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched and in the generations who were blessed to call her Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother.