Photo courtesy of Heaton-Bowman-Smith & Sidenfaden Chapel - Saint Joseph
Saint Joseph, Missouri
Oct 30, 1941 – Sep 14, 2025 (Age 83)
Rosemary "Kathy" Slocum-Kissel. 83, St. Joseph, Missouri; passed away Sunday, September 14, 2025 at KU Medical Center.
Kathy was born on October 30, 1941 in Kansas City, Missouri; to the late Fred and Elouise (Blau) Slocum. She was a 1959 graduate of the Convent of the Sacred Heart here in St. Joseph, and attended St. Teresa's in Kansas City.
On January 28, 1961, she married Dale J. Kissel at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Kansas City. In 1982, they moved to St. Joseph. They celebrated fifty-six years of marriage prior to his passing on October 15, 2017.
Mrs. Kissel was the Early Childhood Center Director for the Cathedral of St. Joseph for over fifteen years, she was also a devoted member of the parish. She sang in the Cathedral choir and served in various Liturgical Ministries.
She was also a member of the St. Ann's Alter Society, Daughters of Isabella, Women on the Go, and The Convent of Sacred Heart Alumni Association. She was a devoted classmate and enjoyed attending regular lunch dates with her alumni friends. She was an avid Notre Dame fan and enjoyed horse racing, planting flowers, reading and loved traveling with her husband.
In addition to her husband and parents, Kathy was preceded in death by her sister, Geraldine Gillett, and brother, Fred J. Slocum.
Kathy is survived by her son, Kurt Kissel, St. Joseph; daughter, Michelle (Lanny Jr.) Jones, St. Joseph; son, Eric (Missy) Kissel, Pryor, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; sisters, Jeanne (Bernie) Verssue, Liberty, MO and Mary Solitt, Plainfield, Illinois; sister-in-law, Carol Slocum; brother-in-law, Conrad (Karen) Kissel and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial 11:30AM Thursday September 18 at Cathedral of St. Joseph. Visitation will take place from 10:00 to 11:00AM Thursday at Cathedral with a parish rosary prayed at 11:00AM. Inurnment at a later date.
The family has requested memorial donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Cathedral of St. Joseph.
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Kathy and her sister Jeanne formed such a great bond with my boys during their early years at the Cathedral ECC. She will be missed dearly! May God bless her family during this time!
Brian Schiermeyer
Brian Schiermeyer
September 17, 2025 | Saint Joseph, MO | Friend
Remembered By
Elaine Clark
September 17, 2025 | St Joseph, MO | Neighbor
I want to let you know that I truly cared about Kathy. I was her Home Health nurse, and I considered her my friend. She was such a wonderful person. I loved our visits. Her sweet and funny personality will not be forgotten. May God bless her and the family she loved so much.
Kelly Pryor
September 16, 2025 | Saint Joseph, MO | Friend
Kathy was a great friend to my mom, Sue Prawitz. She was so kind and patient. My thoughts and prayers to the family.
Judie Prawitz-Townsend
September 16, 2025 | St Joseph, MO