Catherine "Kay" (Harris) Dumperth

Catherine (Kay) Dumperth, 100, of Valley City, Ohio passed away peacefully on Friday, January 30, 2026.

Kay was born December 18, 1925, in Duryea, PA to the late Jerome and Catherine (Apolski) Harris. Upon graduating from High School in 1943, she moved to Cleveland, secured an inventory control position at National Acme, and was encouraged to write to an Army Soldier serving in the South Pacific during WWII whom she eventual married in 1947.  They started their family in Lakewood prior to moving to Valley City in 1956. They became foster parents shortly after and provided a loving home to four additional children over the next several years.  Kay joined the Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Valley City soon after her arrival to the Liverpool Township community. The church became a very important part of her life.  She was the first woman to be elected an Elder of the church, a council member, choir member, Women’s Fellowship (serving at the dinners) and Youth Fellowship leader. Kay was an active member of the Liverpool Elementary School PTA and also served as Liverpool Township Clerk for several years.

Kay worked for the Medina Tractor Sales in the inventory control department and lastly as a Secretary for the Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority.

She enjoyed bowling on a league, singing with the Columbia Mothers Singers and meeting monthly to play cards with her Lakewood Avenue friends “Card Club” for over 30 years.

Kay spent countless hours canning the bountiful produce from her husband’s prize garden as well as a variety of fruit from his orchard that the family and friends enjoyed throughout the winter months.

She will be greatly missed by her children, Kathy (Roger) Buhovecky, Christian Dumperth and Rick (Lora) Dumperth; grandchildren, Justin Vazinski, Adam Winebrenner, Brooke Winebrenner, Elise Tyhulski, Joanna Bonnette and David Buhovecky and great-grandchildren, Mason and Keller Winebrenner, Christian and Alison Glau, Ryan Fletcher, Sarah Price and Evan Buhovecky.

Preceded in death by her husband Christian Dumperth, 1999 and a grandson, Brent Vazinski and great grandson, Steve Fletcher.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 4, 2026 from 10:00-11:00 AM at Emmanuel United Church of Christ, 6656 Center Road Valley City, OH, with the funeral service at 11:00 AM.  Burial to follow at Myrtle Hill Cemetery, Valley City, OH. Immediately following the burial, friends and family are welcome to a light luncheon back in Emmanuel's fellowship hall.

Memorials suggested if desired may be made to Hospice of the Western Reserve or to Emmanuel United Church of Christ.

The Bauer Funeral Home has the honor of serving the Dumperth family.

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