On December 17th, 2021 Kathy Arlene Rucker passed away at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital, after a valiant 15-year battle with metastatic breast cancer. Born in Salt Lake City, Utah on April 19, 1945, Kathy is survived by her husband Danny, and sons, Roger Watkins (Indianapolis) and Michael (MaryBeth) Watkins (Naples, Florida) Also surviving are stepchildren, Anita Roos, Cheryl Voltz and Angie Rucker. She was preceded in death by her parents Roger and Mary Etta O’Brien and her brother, Kerry O’Brien and stepson, Jeff Rucker. Kathy also leaves behind her beloved grandchildren Bryce (Lydia) and Tara Watkins. She is also forever remembered and missed by the Circle City Cloggers, the Still Kickin’ Cloggers, the Fun Bunch Line Dancers and the Heritage Place Ladies of Dance. As a child, Kathy traveled all over the world with her father, a Navy submarine officer. She attended Butler University and was a gifted ceramist and artist, as well as an astute business woman. Along with her partner, Teena Soto, she owned and operated Dokins Bookkeeping Service until clogging captured her heart – as well as her feet. She was a dancer, teacher, artist, music -lover: daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, friend, animal lover and business owner. She donned many hats before stepping into her beloved white clogging shoes at the age of 40. Beginning in her garage with just a few students, her classes grew steadily as she embodied the fun and incredible energy of clogging to an eager fanbase. Also, in 1995 she was contracted by The Indiana State Fair to coordinate the logistics and bookings of the Dance Stage. Kathy leant her incredible spirit and boundless energy to all she endeavored and was instrumental in bringing diverse and eclectic dance troupes to the dance stage every summer until her death. At one point she was teaching 21 classes a week. Blessed with the support of her equally energetic dance partner, Elaine Paugh, the Circle City Cloggers traveled and performed throughout the U.S. and Europe and enjoyed Clog and Cruise adventures. CCC performed in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington D.C., The Aloha Festival parade in Hawaii and several Indy 500 Festival Parades. Kathy and Elaine were much sought-after clogging instructors at workshops throughout the country. In 2018 Kathy was presented by Traditional Arts Indiana and the Indiana State Fair with the Indiana State Fair Master Award, recognizing her mastery of clogging and dance and dedication to sharing that knowledge at the State Fair year after year. This award, presented by the Director of Traditional Arts Indiana, Jon Kay along with Cynthia C. Hoye, Executive Director of the State Fair Commission, was in recognition of her years of service and instructing, as well as her commitment to passing her skill on to others.
Kathy is mourned by friends all over the world who admired her strength in adversity, her unfailing good humor, her attention to detail and her loyalty. She loved computer word games and puzzles and could always be tempted with a margarita. Music of all genres was a great love and knowing all the words to those songs was another of her many gifts. On behalf of her family and friends, we want to thank Dr. Radhika Walling and Dr. Nate Thepjutri and the incredible staff at Community North Cancer Center for their consistent efforts over the last 15 years to keep her going. We are most grateful. A dessert Memorial Celebration of Kathy’s incredible life will take place at the Acton United Methodist Church, 5650 Senour Rd. Indianapolis, 46239 on Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 2 to 4 pm.
Memorial Donations may be made in Kathy’s name to the American Cancer Society or The Indianapolis Humane Society. The Cremation Society of Indianapolis has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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