Home > United States of America > Iowa > Grundy County > Benson Cemetery > Kate Pauline “Katie” Rodd Slifer

Kate Pauline “Katie” Rodd Slifer

Birth	:	24 Oct 1882 Whitten, Hardin County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	19 Dec 1903 Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Benson Cemetery, Grundy County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.2522011, -92.9807968
Description	:	Kate Pauline Rodd was born October 24, 1882 in Whitten in Hardin County, Iowa, the youngest child of Agnes Whitwood of New York state and Canadian native Thomas Rodd. She had seven siblings: Thomas Arthur Rodd (1862-died before 1870), Mary Agnes Rodd Haskin, Susan Edith Rodd Moore, Nellie Louisa Rodd Snovel, Henrietta Gertrude Rodd Strawbridge, Calvin Asa Rodd, and Clara Maebell Rodd Hoffa On Christmas Eve, December 24, 1902, she married William E. "Will" Slifer. Kate died December 19, 1903. She was buried in Benson Cemetery in Grundy County, Iowa, on the day before her first... Read More	Kate Pauline Rodd was born October 24, 1882 in Whitten in Hardin County, Iowa, the youngest child of Agnes Whitwood of New York state and Canadian native Thomas Rodd. She had seven siblings: Thomas Arthur Rodd (1862-died before 1870), Mary Agnes Rodd Haskin, Susan Edith Rodd Moore, Nellie Louisa Rodd Snovel, Henrietta Gertrude Rodd Strawbridge, Calvin Asa Rodd, and Clara Maebell Rodd Hoffa On Christmas Eve, December 24, 1902, she married William E. "Will" Slifer. Kate died December 19, 1903. She was buried in Benson Cemetery in Grundy County, Iowa, on the day before her first wedding anniversary. Many neighbors thought a depressed Kate had committed suicide because of her skin affliction. But Kate's parents and brother Asa Rodd thought she was murdered by her husband Will. Will went on trial in Grundy County and was acquitted. His parents had to sell their farm to pay the expensive defense attorneys. Here's a link to an article by Nancy Bowers about Kate's death: http://www.iowaunsolvedmurders.com/the-murders/white-spotted-woman-suspicious-death-kate-slifer-1903/ Kate Rodd and William E. "Will" Slifer met at sixteen and were afterwards seldom apart; their Christmas Eve 1902 wedding was what rural folks call "a country marriage," one of wholesomeness and devotion. In December 1903, they were 21 and lived with Will's parents Henry and Amanda Slifer in Section 7 of Melrose Township in Grundy County. They were part of a community of Brethren or Dunkards, a quiet-living, German protestant sect which practices simple devotion and a unique form of immersion baptism. That land between Eldora and Grundy Center was a garden spot of productive farms operated by hard-working folks like Will's parents and Kate's folks, Thomas and Agnes Rodd. Will, a farmer and amateur photographer, seemed to adore his beautiful young wife and his parents were said to idolize her as well. Kate was so dedicated to Will that she accompanied him into the farm fields to work. Kate helped Will's mother Amanda and his sister Mary with household chores, sewed, and doted on her little dog, a pet allowed in the house to sleep in the Slifers' bedroom. When she appeared in public, Kate was primly dressed — collar turned up, ribbon around her throat, bangs or hat veil covering her forehead, and gloves on both hands. Her attire and personal look were not, however, a fashion statement. Instead, Kate was trying to conceal bright, white spots on her skin. A physician diagnosed the spots as Vitiligo, a progressive but painless and harmless autoimmune skin disorder in which the melanin disappears, leaving smooth white areas that spread over the entire body, permanently changing the color of the pigment. Kate was obsessed and embarrassed by the spots and frightened because she feared they indicated some inner problem, perhaps insanity. She worried Will would love her less because of them; before their wedding, she wrote a letter and they talked together about the disfigurement. Will seemed to accept the condition as just part of who Kate was. Will later claimed the couple discussed the spots again two weeks before Kate's death. When she said she could not bear it if they spread further and "would do as others have done" by taking her own life, Will believed her words were hyperbole and asked, "What would your folk think if they heard you say that?" William E. "Will" Slifer died in Denver, Colorado, on November 5, 1969 at the age of 87.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Kate Pauline “Katie” Rodd Slifer's memorial?
Kate Pauline “Katie” Rodd Slifer's memorial is located at: Benson Cemetery, Grundy County, USA.
When did Kate Pauline “Katie” Rodd Slifer death?
Kate Pauline “Katie” Rodd Slifer death on 19 Dec 1903 in Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Kate Pauline “Katie” Rodd Slifer's memorial?
Latitude: 42.2522011
Longitude: -92.9807968

Family Members:

Parent

Thomas Rodd

(1837 - 1914)

Agnes M.H. Whitwood Rodd

(1840 - 1916)

Spouse

Siblings

Mary Agnes Rodd Haskin

(1863 - 1924)

Susan Edith Rodd Moore

(1865 - 1951)

Gertrude Henrietta Rodd Strawbridge

(1876 - 1901)

Asa Calvin Rodd

(1878 - 1963)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Benson Cemetery
Grundy County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2522011, -92.9807968

2. Hauser Cemetery
Whitten, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2528000, -93.0302963

3. Whitney Cemetery
Union, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2347000, -93.0258000

4. Francisco Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2888985, -93.0456009

5. Union Cemetery
Union, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2303009, -93.0639038

6. Liscomb Cemetery
Liscomb, Marshall County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1875000, -93.0151000

7. Bentley Cemetery
Liscomb, Marshall County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2089000, -93.0597500

8. Melrose Cemetery
Grundy County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3255997, -92.9558029

9. Conrad Cemetery
Conrad, Grundy County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2235298, -92.8834534

10. Sheppard Cemetery
Gifford, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2672005, -93.0843964

11. Xenia Cemetery
Gifford, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3119011, -93.0781021

12. Alice Union Cemetery
Conrad, Grundy County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3114014, -92.8827972

13. Miller Cemetery
Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2064018, -93.1014023

14. Bethel Grove Cemetery
Albion, Marshall County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1505000, -93.0317500

15. Bangor Friends Cemetery
Bangor, Marshall County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1702995, -93.0836029

16. Sheller Cemetery
Grundy County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3678017, -92.9439011

17. Chester Friends Church Cemetery
New Providence, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2374992, -93.1419983

18. Prairieville Cemetery
Marshall County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1371994, -92.9233017

19. Buckner Cemetery
Eldora, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3685989, -93.0453033

20. Oakland Cemetery
Beaman, Grundy County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2214012, -92.8153000

21. Gaer Ballard Cemetery
Albion, Marshall County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1290000, -93.0187000

22. East Lawn Memorial Garden
Eldora, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.3605300, -93.0727600

23. Vienna Cemetery
Marshall County, USA
Coordinate: 42.1949997, -92.8246994

24. Hadley Cemetery
New Providence, Hardin County, USA
Coordinate: 42.2672005, -93.1544037