Karol M. Katt, 80, Victoria, passed away Thursday, January 23, 2025 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri surrounded by her loving family.
She was born September 24, 1944 in Colby, Kansas the daughter of Charles Wayne and Adah Mae (Lamb) Churchill. She attended elementary and middle school in Oakley, Kansas and was a graduate of Hays High School in 1962. She then graduated from Fort Hays State University with a B.S. Degree in elementary education in 1966. She taught at Alamota, Gove, and Grainfield elementary schools for 31 years and was inducted into the Wheatland Wall of Fame in 2023. Karol was united in marriage to Ronald “Ron” Katt on March 20, 1966 in Hays, a union that spanned nearly 59 years. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Hays, the Fort Hays State University Alumni Association, the Gove County Medical Center Auxiliary, and the Grainfield American Legion Auxiliary.
Karol enjoyed reading, embroidery, cooking and baking, and of course, shopping. She enjoyed pastries and sweets, attending all of her grandchildren’s activities whether near or far, and she truly loved being a teacher. She especially cherished visiting with her former students and catching up on their careers, achievements, and families.
She is survived by her husband Ron, of the home in Victoria, two daughters, Kristi Wildeman and husband DeAllon of Topeka, and Kayla Dortland and husband Darrell of Gorham, five grandchildren, Jenna Lorenzen and husband Cole of Gothenburg, NE, Jacob Wildeman of Overland Park, Joseph Dortland and wife Samantha of Hays, Tiffany Dortland and fiancé Jacob Sohm of Wichita, and Camille Dortland of Manhattan, one great grandson, Drake Lorenzen, and a sister-in-law, Shirley Churchill of Novato, CA.
She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Frank Churchill and wife Bobbie, and Robert Churchill.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the First United Methodist Church, Hays. Burial will be at 2:00 pm in the Grainfield Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 7:00 on Friday at the Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home, 1906 Pine Street, and on Saturday from 9:00 am until service time at the church. Memorials are suggested to the Victoria Community Coalition for St. John’s Place or to the Grainfield American Legion Auxiliary, in care of the funeral home. Condolences and memories of Karol may be left for the family at www.haysmemorial.com