Kathleen LaRue Kirchner's Obituary
Kathleen LaRue Kirchner, 93, daughter of Edmund Ralph & Flossie Vivian (Traylor) Carpenter, entered into eternal rest on December 6, 2014 at Prairie Mission Retirement Village in St. Paul, KS. She was born May 26, 1921 in Wichita, KS.
Kathleen grew up in Chanute and attended school here, graduating in 1939. She also attended Neosho County Community College. She worked at the “dime stores” during the war; then worked as a dispatcher for KDOT, retiring from there after 39 years of service.
She was a loving and caring person, being devoted to her family. She loved her dogs, doing puzzles and dancing. She will be missed by many.
Kathleen married Milton W. Ford on October 18, 1941. To this union, a daughter, Gwendolyn Kay Ford Walker Jones, was born. Gwen survives her mother and lives in Maurepas, Louisiana. Milton passed away, September 26, 1980. Kathleen married Louis Matthew Kirchner, June 15, 1988. He preceded her in death October 12, 2008.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents, 1 grandson: Steven Walker; brother: Ralph Carpenter; sister: Trula Redfern; brother-in-law: Paul Redfern; 3 nephews: Bryan Redfern, Lloyd and Lonnie Carpenter and 1 niece, Pamela Redfern.
Other survives include one grandson: Chuck Walker of Maurepas, LA; 2 granddaughters: Debbie Palmer of Parachute, CO and Hope LaForma of Plaquemine, LA; 3 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren; one sister-in-law: Mary Carpenter of Humboldt, KS; 2 nephews: David Redfern of Iola, KS and Edmund Carpenter of Rogers, AR; 2 nieces: Patricia Wilson and Donna Zillner both of Chanute and great & great-great nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Kathleen Kirchner are scheduled for Thursday, December 11, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Chanute; burial will follow in Neosho County Memorial Park Cemetery in Chanute. The family will meet with friends the evening prior to the service, Wednesday, December 10, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Countryside Funeral Home- Gibson Chapel in Chanute, KS. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church in Chanute and they may be sent in care of Countryside Funeral Home 101 N. Highland Chanute, KS 66720. Online condolences may be left at www.countrysidefh.com.
What’s your fondest memory of Kathleen ?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kathleen ?
Share a story where Kathleen 's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kathleen you’ll never forget.
How did Kathleen make you smile?
