Billie Margaret (Kathka) Bryan passed away on August 30, 2022, at Decatur County Hospital at the age of 97. She was born December 14, 1924, to Paul and Ethel (Oswalt) Kathka in Oberlin, Kansas.
Billie graduated from DCHS in 1943. She was united in marriage to Dale Bryan on June 13, 1943, in Atwood, Kansas. They made their home on a farm in Rawlins County where they raised their four children. Billie & Dale farmed until 1950. During the 1960s, they owned and operated the Vickers Station in Oberlin. She also worked at Ootons Drapery shop from 1968 to 1972. She was an excellent seamstress and made a lot of her family’s clothing including her daughters’ wedding dresses and prom formals.
Survivors include her daughters: Elaine Leatherman of Hutchinson KS, Donna (Roy) Donner of McCook, NE; daughters-in-law: Leanna Bryan of Oberlin, KS and Connie (John) Simonsson Oberlin of KS; sister-in-law Betty (Milton) Slaybaugh of Tucson, AZ; 12 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
Billie was preceded by in death by her husband Dale, sons: James Bryan and Robert Bryan; grandson: William Bryan; son-in-law: Merle Leatherman; and siblings: Charles Wilhelm, Erma Payne, Louis Wilhelm, Alice Acker, and Mildred Foster.
Service will be Wednesday, September 7, 2022, at Pauls Funeral Home at 10:00 AM. Visitation will be Tuesday, September 6, 2022, from 1:00 – 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial in Oberlin Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made out to Meals on Wheels. Condolences may be left at www.paulsfh.com.