Katherine Mull Falvey Zastrow

Katherine Mull Falvey Zastrow was born in Muscatine, Iowa on March 19, 1904. Her grandfather Charles L. W. Mull had been a pioneer in Muscatine County and had purchased property from Theodore Parvis who was a member of the first Iowa Legislature. Katherine graduated from Muscatine High School in 1922 and from the University of Iowa with a B.A. degree in 1926.

During that time, she was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, an honorary fraternity. She married Lawrence A. Falvey who served as a Representative from Monroe County in the 55th, 56th and 57th regular General Assemblies of Iowa. He died July 23, 1957. Following her husband's death, Mrs. Falvey became a managing partner of Falvey Bros. farm and lumber yards, a 70-year-old business and also vice-president and Director of First Iowa State Bank in Albia, Iowa.

She was also a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Business and Professional Women, Albia Library Trustees, American Legion Auxiliary, Farm Bureau, Cancer Society, Polio Foundation, Red Cross, Council of InterState Cooperation, Zeta Tau Alpha, Pi Lambda Theta honorary educational sorority, a state trustee of Arthritis and Rheumatism Foundation, Iowa State Library Trustee and on the State Advisory Council on Title I Program of Federal Dept. of HEW. She was appointed to the 1961-62 term of the Iowa State Development Commission.

She also served in the 58th, 59th and 60th General Assemblies as a Representative from Monroe County. On November 14, 1963 Katherine married Senator Ralph W. Zastrow. He was senior member of Zastrow, Noah and Smith Law Firm in Charles City, Iowa. He served in the Senate in the 53rd, 54th and 55th sessions of the Iowa Assembly. He died December 17, 1965. Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Zastrow established their home in Charles City, where Katherine soon became involved in many community affairs.

She was the first woman to be elected to the City Council of Charles City and served in this capacity for two terms. She also served on the Board of Trustees of the Charles City Library and was president of this board during the time a new library building was planned and constructed. It was dedicated May 1, 1979. Mrs. Zastrow has been honored with many awards since she has lived in Charles City.

The Charles City Branch of American Association of University Women named a Fellowship in her honor. She was voted Woman of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce, elected to The President's Club of the University of Iowa and is a Life Member of the Charles City Arts Council. She worked for the passage of the E.R.A. amendment and continues to work for civic interests. A world traveler she is a collector of regional art, an avid reader and contributor of books to the Charles City Public Library.

5/25/94