Photo courtesy of Skradski Funeral Home - Kansas City
Feb 22, 1930 - Dec 29, 2018 (Age 88)
Mrs. Macon you were a lovely lady. Always gracious, kind and funny. I have many fond memories I'll cherish hanging out at your house on Strawberry Hill with all the girls and Aunt Margaret. You always made us feel so welcomed. You were a beautiful soul. Rest in peace.
ALANA SMARKER
January 05, 2019 | Tonganoxie, KS
I so enjoyed working around Katy when she worked as Clerk in the General Car Foremans office in K.C.K. She was very witty and could,always bring a smile to your face. I am thankful our life paths crossed in this journey.
Randy Thompson
January 05, 2019 | Holt, MO | Coworker
Faithful Blessings Bouquet - VASE INCLUDED
Cherie Parker
January 05, 2019
To the family, I did not have the pleasure of meeting Mrs. Macan, but her strengths, passions, and commitment to service live on in her daughter, Patrice Scott, whom I know from Kansas State University. As the daughter of a railroad parent (Santa Fe RR), I must pause to thank you for your railroad legacy on behalf of many rail workers and their families. I am praying for all your family to find comfort and to know that Mrs. Macan is resting with the Lord and is now at peace. I send my...
Doris Wright Carroll
January 04, 2019 | Manhattan, KS | Acquaintance
Dear Mrs. "M", you my dear, were a "Hoot!" Beautiful, Classy Lady, so Funny and Brilliant. I have numerous memories of all of us kids hangin' out at your house. Many overniters, too many to count. You always welcomed us all with open arms and a comforting shoulder when needed. I always wondered how Mr. "M" handled not only four daughters, but all of there friends too! I say "LOVE" and "PURE PATIENCE" You will always be remembered as my second "MOM". Rest in Peace...
PAULA RUPP
January 04, 2019 | Basehor, KS | Friend
Thinking of you at this difficult time.
Lisa Rubin
January 04, 2019 | Manhattan, KS
Gracious. Kind. Beautiful. Gentle. Artist. Fashionable. Steely resolve. Pioneering. Learned. Terrific sense of humor----she once asked the doctor after her first hip fracture at age 85 if she’d still be able to perform her own stunts! Mrs. Kathryn "Katie" Jane (Reed) Macan is once again "Side by Side" (their song) with her husband of 54 years, Peter C. (Pete) Macan. Born Feb. 22, 1930 in Kansas City, MO, to Walter and Maud (French) Reed, Katie passed away at age 88 Dec. 29, 2018 in Kansas City, KS. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Pete, brother, Walter Reed; sister, Margaret Reed; and granddaughter, Audrey Yadrich. Katie is survived by her daughters, Rita (Lew) Binns, Anita Macan, Donna Yadrich, and Patrice Scott; grandchildren, Drew (Lacey) Binns, Christopher (Sierra) Binns, Peter Yadrich, Matthew Scott, and Andrew Scott; her brother, Albert “Bert” (Betty) Reed and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her greatly beloved "Dolly Dog", Foxy. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Katie’s name to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church or the Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center. Friends and family can pay their respects at the visitation Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Rosary at 3:30 p.m.) at Skradski Funeral Home, 340 N 6th St., KCK. The funeral service will be held Monday, Jan. 7 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 708 N. 4th, KCK.
A devout Catholic, Katie attended St. Rita's grade school in Cameron, MO and graduated from Lillis High School (Class of 1948) in Kansas City, MO. She began working the night shift for Missouri Pacific Railroad as a temporary employee at the age of 16 while attending high school and became the first female Morse Code telegrapher in Kansas. Upon graduation, she was awarded a full scholarship to college; however, opted to attend Donnelly College and continued working at the railroad. A former “Miss Missouri Pacific," Katie spent more than four decades working for the railroad until her retirement from Union Pacific Railroad in 1987. Throughout her career, she personally fought hard for the rights so many employees take for granted today: maternity, sick and vacation leave; medical and retirement benefits, and overtime pay. She also championed nondiscrimination practices at work, within the community and within the home.
Katie’s childhood included all things Irish. But while working for the railroad, she met the love of her life, Pete. They married in 1953 and she shared his love of her adopted Croatian customs. While deeply traditional, the couple were amazingly progressive inspiring their four daughters and six grandchildren to pursue their educations and dreams and quietly supported those around them. Katie was a selfless and fierce mother and the most fun grandmother – ever.
Katie was a member of AARP, ACLU, RARE (Retired & Active Railroad Employees), NARVRE (National Association of Retired & Veteran Railway Employees), Morse Telegraph Club, TCIU (Transportation Communications International Union), St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and SHECS (Strawberry Hill Ethnic Cultural Society).
Our loss is heaven's gain. We'd pick you again, Mom!
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