Kathryn Winters was born April 17, 1949 in Ottawa, Kansas. She was the middle daughter of George E. and Esther M. (Long) McClure and lived on a farm between Quenemo and Michigan Valley, Kansas. She moved to Lawrence, Kansas in 1983 and lived there until her death at age 68.
She attended Michigan Valley and Appanoose Grade Schools and graduated from Pomona High School in 1967. She continued her education at Emporia State University obtaining a teaching degree in 1971. She taught for two years in Lyndon, Kansas before obtaining her master’s degree and certification as an LD teacher and subsequently taught at Ottawa High School for the next 8 years. She moved to Lawrence in 1983 and worked as an LD teacher at Lawrence High until 1992. She left the teaching profession for a period to work in sales at M & M School Supply Company in Lawrence and then returned to education in 2005 as an LD teacher at Valley Falls and Silver Lake School Districts. She retired in 2012.
She was united in marriage to Jack Winters in 1991. She is survived by two sisters Carol Kneller and Marilyn McClure, a nephew Michael Kneller, his wife Karie, and their two children Emma and Allison all of Overland Park, Kansas.
Other survivors include cousin Peggy (Kelsey) Coen of Ottawa, Kansas, John and Cherry Coen of Wellsville, Kansas, Jim and Ann Coen of Wichita, Kansas, Glen and Janet McMurray of Park City, Kansas, and Carl and Jo Lynn Gasper of Paola, Kansas and their families.
Kathryn’s greatest joy was working with her students and retired only as her health no longer permitted. She enjoyed the vibrancy of living in Lawrence and was an enthusiast of local art. She was also an avid animal lover and loved outdoor activities including walking/biking. She will be deeply missed as a sister, aunt, and cousin by her family.
The family suggests memorial contributions to Appanoose Museum.
Graveside services will be Friday, July 7th at 2:00 PM at Woodlawn Cemetery in Pomona, Kansas. A visitation will be held at Rumsey-Yost Funeral Home Thursday, July 6th from 5:00 to 6:00 PM.
