Catherine Ann "Katy" Windholz died on Sunday, February 5, 2023, at Brookdale Senior Living Solutions, Hays. She was 89.
Katy was born on January 19, 1934, at the family farm near Walker, Kansas to John and Catherine (Scheck) Riedel. She was the 11th of 13 siblings. She appreciated her childhood, spending time and doing various chores around the farm with her brothers and sisters. She especially enjoyed the many day-trips she would take with her father, from going to cattle auctions to driving out west to Gove County to check on farm ground. She attended and graduated from Walker Grade School.
On November 4, 1953, Katy was united in marriage to LeRoy Windholz at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Walker. To this union two sons, Gerald ‘Gary’ and David ‘Dave’ were born. Katy and LeRoy made their home in Russell, Natoma, Emmeram and Hays before moving to Quinter in 1956, where they lived the remainder of their married life. In 1969, thanks to hard work and careful savings, Katy and LeRoy built their own house in Quinter, a place they were proud to call home for over 50 years. Katy and LeRoy enjoyed 62 years of marriage. LeRoy passed away on September 6, 2016. Katy remained in Quinter until June 2020, at which time she moved to Brookdale Senior Living in Hays due to declining health.
Katy was the co-owner and operator of Hill Top Service, a gas station and tavern along Old Highway 40 in Quinter from 1956 to 1976. In 1980 she began a 25-year career as the cook and baker each Monday at the Quinter Livestock Commission, retiring in 2005. In the late 1980s through the mid-1990s she also cooked at the Q-Inn and Tepa restaurants in Quinter. Katy also assisted LeRoy with his farming and ranching business, helping him do chores on the farm, taking care of all the accounting book work and was diligent about feeding all the ‘harvest crews’ for many years. LeRoy and Katy retired from ranching in 1997 and then from farming in 2003.
Always very true to her Catholic faith, Katy was a longtime member of St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Collyer. She was a proud and wonderful cook, and especially known throughout the Quinter community for his signature pies. She made them often made for many community members. She also was very proud of and enjoyed spending time with her sons, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews and the many friends she considered family.
Survivors include: two sons, Gary Windholz, Quinter and Dave (Jonita) Windholz, Hays; two grandsons, Kevin (Mindy) Windholz, Edmond, Oklahoma and Ryan (Sarah) Windholz, Hays; one granddaughter, Jennifer Clements, Olathe; five great-grandsons, Spencer Windholz, Aidan Windholz, Ryan Clements, Jace Cearley, and Cole Windholz; one great-granddaughter, Emily Clements; two sisters, Agnes Leiker, Hays, and Josephine (John) Braun, Victoria; two brothers-in-law, Francis (Helen) Windholz, Victoria and August (Linda) Windholz, Hays; four sisters-in-law, Zita Riedel, Mission, Marilyn Riedel, Lenexa, Mildred Wittman, Hays, and Shirley (Albert) Flax, Ellis; many nieces and nephews and friends.
Katy was preceded in death by her husband, LeRoy Windholz; her parents, John and Catherine Riedel; six brothers, Herbert Riedel, Alvin Riedel (I), Alvin Riedel (II), Francis Riedel, Marcellus Riedel and John Riedel, Jr.; four sisters, Amanda Riedel, Evelyn Riedel, Margaret Baumstimler Johnston and Marie Lieker; a granddaughter, Jamie Windholz; and a daughter-in-law, Paula Windholz.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, February 8, 2023, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Walker, Kansas with Father Earl Befort O.F.M. Cap., Father Andy Hammeke, and Father James Moster O.F.M. Cap. officiating. Burial in St. Ann’s Cemetery in Walker, Kansas.
A vigil service and rosary will be at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays, 1919 East 22nd Street, Hays, Kansas 67601.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, at Cline’s-Keithley Mortuary of Hays and form 9:00 to 10:00 A.M. Wednesday, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Walker, Kansas. The family suggested memorials made payable to: Hospice of Hays Medical Center or St. Ann’s Cemetery in care of the mortuary.
Condolences can be sent via e-mail to [email protected] or can be left at guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com