Mary "Kate" Catherine Mullen

Mary Catherine “Kate” Mullen, age 91, passed away peacefully in St. Elizabeth Nursing Home in Delphi, Indiana, on Saturday, September 5, 2026.

Kate was born on February 7, 1935, in Lafayette, Indiana, to E.T and Wilma Donahue, and was a lifelong resident of Lafayette, Indiana. Kate graduated from Lafayette Jefferson High School in 1953 and attended Indiana University. On August 8, 1959, she married E. Rodger Mullen. He preceded her in death on August 2, 2007. They were married for 47 years, and together they built a family that remained the center of her world throughout her life. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her infant son Rodger James Mullen, her brother Patrick Donahue, her sister Marjorie Moore, and her great-grandson Parker William Bogaards.

Known simply as “Mother” to her six children, Kate’s greatest joy in life was her family. Kate loved the simple pleasures that made life good. She loved being with her family, sitting in the sunshine, cheering on the IU Hoosiers, and enjoying a cold beer. She was happiest when she was surrounded by the people she loved, drinking a cold Miller Lite, and could soak up a little sunshine along the way.

Kate was a lifelong member of the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Lafayette, Indiana.

For the last five years of her life, Kate lived with Alzheimer’s disease. Although the disease gradually changed many things, it could never erase the love she had for her family or her faith. Her children will always remember the mother she was before Alzheimer’s - a woman whose greatest gift was the love she gave to her family.

Kate leaves behind her six children, Patrick (Kimerly) Mullen, Tom Mullen, Bill (Erin) Mullen, Duffy Mullen, Jack Mullen, and Bridget (Jason) Fogel, along with 13 grandchildren, Nicole (Adron) Scott, Cassie (Shane) Bogaards, Sean (Lindsey) Mullen, Carson and Claire Mullen, Tori (Reece) Kenney and Grant (Brooke Swope) Mullen, Genevieve (Bryce) Towle and Olivia Mullen, Drew (Molly Puglessi) Fogel, Marley, Alyssa, and Calleigh Fogel. 6 great-grandchildren, Dron and Lincoln Scott, Kinsey and Logan Bogaards, Aoife Mullen, and Henry and Charlotte Towle and baby girl Towle due in November.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 10, from 5-7 PM at Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home in Lafayette, with a rosary service at 4:30. The following day the Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Lafayette at 10:30 AM. Burial will take place in St. Mary’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer's Association : Donate here  225 N Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601. Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Lafayette is honored to serve the Mullen family. Please leave memories and condolences at hahngroeberfuneralhome.com