Kathryn Ann Genco

Kathryn Ann (Tigner) Genco, 93, made her way to the Lord on February 3, 2026. She was born August 8, 1932 in Groton, South Dakota to Earl W. and Lillie H. (Frederickson) Tigner.

She graduated from Lorhville, Iowa High School in 1950 and married Paul Vernon Genco in August, 1950. They lived and farmed in Lorhville for a few years after marriage then moved and lived in Mason City, Lake City, Badger and Fort Dodge, Iowa and eventually settled in Jefferson, Iowa in 1967. After her hip replacement Kathryn lived with her daughter, Paula Swalve, in Windsor Heights, Iowa from September 2020 to July 2025 and then moved to Calvin Community Health Center of Des Moines.

Kathryn worked for GCMC in dietary for 23 years. She was a member of the Dietary Association and served as President for a year prior to her retirement. Cinnamon Rolls were a great treat for the staff and even after retirement in 1989 her coworkers wanted her to make them. She enjoyed baking and one could smell her cookies every holiday filling her home. She also made sure birthday cakes or birthday pies were made when she was able. She even had a cookbook made of all her great recipes for her children and her loving friend, Lori Damron.

Kathryn loved the Iowa State Fair and worked there in the summer at the Iowa Beef Palace in the mid 1970’s and early 1980’s and attended the fair whenever she could. She enjoyed vacations with her family and later saw a lot of the United States with her daughter Paula whom she loved to travel with. Kathryn was a devoted Christian and a member of the Central Christian Church of Jefferson. Her faith in God was very important to her. She showed her love and kindness to many and enjoyed sending cards for birthdays, anniversaries, get well, sympathy, and all holidays especially Christmas.

She is survived by her children, Paula Swalve, Paul Genco, James Genco, and Nancy Bishop; grandchildren, Kristy Broadston (Billy Dyer), Michael (Nicole) Swalve, Richard Tanguay, and John Genco; great-grandchildren, Makenna Broadston, Samantha and Emma Swalve, Ethan and Spencer Connors; great-great-grandchildren, Wade and Jax Foster; extended family, Steve (Judy) Bishop, Tim (Echo) Bishop, Lori Bishop (Mike Webb), and Tina Tanguay; along with several other relatives and friends.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; daughter, Janice Genco; brothers, Robert and Harvey Tigner; and sons-in-law, LeRoy Swalve and Donny Bishop.

Kathryn will be buried at the Jefferson City Cemetery in Jefferson, Iowa and Celebration of Life service held at Central Christian Church, 108 N. Elm in Jefferson, IA on Saturday, February 14, 2026 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Arrangements are being handled by Hamilton’s on Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, IA.

Print