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Carol Konek Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Carol Konek
Diana Morton
June 24, 2025
carol was a major influence in my life when I returned to WSU for a MS degree. She inspiried me to follow in her path, and I am still teaching (at WSU) and often hear hear her words coming from me. I loved her dearly.
Linda Wolfe Mickelson
February 21, 2023
I am Carol's little sister. I just learned of the passing of her dear friend and colleague Dorothy Walters, who was a very inspired mystical poet. I imagine Dorothy and Carol reunited in the afterlife and what a joyful occasion that would be. I hope and pray that it will be so.
Amy L. Hall
July 7, 2019
Grateful I had the privilege to meet and share heartfelt moments with Carol. Peace and love to all.
Aubrey Sherrod
July 6, 2019
My condolences to Jeff and his family.
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clifford moss
July 6, 2019
To Jeff and Family and All who Loved and Cared for Mrs. Konek - I send my Heartfelt condolence! Growing up in the late 60's and early 70's as an African American kid my first experience with acceptance by someone other than my own race was when I was welcome into the home of the Koneks which started with an unconditional greeting and Welcoming with the one and only Mrs Konek...these visits eventually evolved into sitting and eating at the same dinner table and eventually some days turning into overnight stays....as I sit and reflect on the aforementioned...I can hardly hold the back the tears.... however - I would re-missed if I did not close by sharing that after meeting the Koneks..my life has never been the same because of the unconditional Love shown by Mom....All Is Grace...God Bless P.S. Jeff, if or whenever you feel weak, stay Mom and Dad Strong...
Jim Mason
July 5, 2019
Helen and I were unable to attend the service at East Heights but we were there in spirit. Our deepest condolences to the family.
Dee Mullins
July 5, 2019
As a former employee at Jeanne's Cafe and Livingston's Cafe, it was such a delight to see Carol come in. She always had a big hug and a kind word for all of us! We also enjoyed Damon too..Now, their together in Heaven. Love you both always!
Daniel Sifford
July 3, 2019
Carol was a wonderful, sweet, kind woman. She was my friend and I am proud to call myself her friend. My sincere condolences to her family.
July 3, 2019
We are so sorry for your loss. Carol was a true friend. I frequently saw Carol at Watermark Books and she always had a supportive comment. She will be greatly missed by us and our community.
Love, James & Monica Smits
July 3, 2019
Dear loved ones...I did all I could to try and get a plane there to attend her service. At such short notice, I was not able to do it...Carol was so important to so many. It is wonderful to read how many lives she touched. She was a Blessing from God to all of us. Thank God for her life and all the good she did. We will all miss her terribly love to all Connie High
Jeff Bennett
July 2, 2019
To Jeff and the entire family my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Nancy LeBlond Knapp
July 2, 2019
Carol was One Of A Kind...Unique & Unrepeatable. I can't even count the number of times she made me smile. My husband, Jim, was one of the 1st men to take her "Women's Studies" class. They constantly asked for his point and view and he was happy to share. I'm so sad to hear of her passing. Blessings to all of her family and friends.
Cathy Doughty
July 2, 2019
Thank you Carol Wolfe Konek for all you have given to the Women of Wichita.
Doris Chang
July 2, 2019
Hi Janna, Jill, J.D., and Jeff: I would like to offer my sincere condolences to your loss. I was hired by the WSU women's studies department after Carol retired, but have talked to her face to face several times and found her to be truly cheerful, upbeat, and kind. Many of her students considered her as their most valuable mentor. Over the years, she made a positive difference in many young women's lives. Take care!
Martha Kipp
July 1, 2019
I only met Carol last Fall when as a newly single older lady who had experienced numerous losses in the past year, I joined the grief group at St. James Episcopal Church where she, also, was a member. Her wit and gentility shone in that group, where her kindnesses and hugs meant so much to all of us. She gave much of herself to many, and made the world a much better place!
Marilee Marsal
July 1, 2019
Dr. Konek was my favorite WSU Professor when I first came to WSU in 2000. She was a great inspiration to me and I learned so much about myself and others through her. I did YOGA for the first time in her classes and delved deep into Women's Studies subjects through real conversations in class. She would say, "Circles are healing" as we would come together to discuss and share our thoughts on the assigned readings. Her humor and genuine character made it easy to learn and care deeply about the subject. I could approach her about anything and often times did through my one year at WSU. Blessings to Dr. Konek and her family. Her life made a huge difference for me and I am so grateful to have known her.
July 1, 2019
I am truly and deeply sorry for your loss. My warmest condolences go out to your family and friends. May the God of all comport grant you peace and strength during difficult time (Psalm 91:11).
Deborah Gordon
July 1, 2019
Hi Janna, Jill, J.D., and Jeff: Your mother hired me into Women's Studies for which I will always be grateful. She was a mentor to me in many many ways, and I will always think of her intellect, writing, humor, and ability to reflect on herself as gifts to me and the other people she touched. Carol's ability to reflect on herself made her one of the most interesting and wise people I've met; that capacity demonstrated her ability to think critically about the world.
Finally, I think the most striking thing about Carol was that she combined a fine intellect with kindness. She was always so empathetic to me as an untenured faculty member. Carol was not a bully but she could wryly spot it in others.
I will miss her so much.
Ramona Liera-Schwichtenberg
July 1, 2019
Your warm, generous spirit welcomed me to the Center for Womens Studies in 1995. You were a wonderful colleague: full of energy, wicked humor, sarcasm when needed, and wise counsel. When I last saw you two years ago, you were still generous, witty, and a breathtaking force to be reckoned with. Love you always Carol.
Jodie Simon
July 1, 2019
The wolf came to me, padding out of the shadows, silvered and shaggy with age. I wasnt frightened by her arrival because I knew her. Her eyes glittered with wry humor, dry wisdom, and an irrepressible sense of adventure and fortitude. Yes, I knew this wolf. If I hugged her she would smell of peaches culled from the tree in her backyard. Her soft hands would flutter about my face before she pushed her forehead against mine as if she could impart all of her learned life into me with osmosis.
I wish that she could. How I wish I could take more than her written words, hazy memories of our conversations, and her voice mails with me.
I will forever be changed by knowing you, thank you for allowing me to transcribe and edit your lifes work. You set me on a path I didnt even know was before me and you inspired me to be true to myself and to write. Write on anything: napkins, receipts, clippings, backs of students papers. Always write.
I will do better Carol, I will write more in your memory.
Thank you for peaches, wisdom, and inspiration. Thank you for giving so much of yourself to all of us.
DIANA MORTON
July 1, 2019
She was a mentor, an inspiration, a joy, and the dearest friend.
Martha Shawver
July 1, 2019
Loved Carol. Loved her humor. Loved her convictions and dedication to the things she believed in. We got into trouble a few times because we were a bit more radical than our counterparts in the 70s. I learned a lot from her. We didn't always agree on all issues but we discussed them with civility and maintained our friendship through it all. May you rest in peace, dear friend.
Rick Sanborn
July 1, 2019
Professor Konek is one of the brightest stars
who put Wichita on the map in the best possible way. Her literary legacy is outstanding. Best of all, she encouraged and taught many to think for
their own self. Few have touched the hearts
of so many in her time with us.
Morghan Ch ambers
July 1, 2019
Dr. Konek was simply brilliant, and she encouraged those of us in her classes ( or any class), to always be " keeping our eyes on the prize" and " keys to the kingdom ". She absolutely went to bat for me when I dropped out of a seminar with her, taking the time and interest to call me up , inquiring what had happened. I had as a single mom, an adolescent.hospitalized with depression & eating disorder plus my mother had been ill.she counseled me on how to resume classes. I would NOT be a college graduate without her caring and concern. Will be there Tuesday.
Michelle Smith
June 30, 2019
She was the best teacher I had.
June 30, 2019
So sorry to hear of this. She was always an outstanding person. Shirley Demmitt Golden
June 30, 2019
My deepest condolences to the family of carol Konek, may the God of all comfort provide you with the love and support you need to endure. 2 Thessalonians 2:16,17
June 30, 2019
An amazing, inspirational and joyful professor. Deepest sympathy to her loved ones.
Class of 1980
WSU
Showing 1 - 28 of 28 results
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Memorial Events
for Carol Konek
Jul
2
Celebration of Life
1:30 p.m.
East Heights United Methodist Church
Wichita, KS
Jul
3
Inurnment
11:30 a.m.
Graceland Cemetery
Meade, KS
Funeral services provided by:
Downing & Lahey Mortuaries & Crematory - East Wichita6555 E. Central, Wichita, KS 67206-1924
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