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Kathleen Ward Obituary
Topeka - Kathleen Anne Ward, 66, of Tecumseh, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loved ones on June 18, 2021.
She was born in Topeka, Kansas on April 21, 1955 the daughter of John and Patricia (McKinney) Shortall Jr.
Kathy was a 1973 graduate of Hayden High School and attended Washburn University.
She helped run the family business, Data-Tel Communications from 1987 to 2020.
Kathy was a woman of strong faith and family values. She loved to watch the birds, and entertain on the back patio on the lake in which they lived. You may find her there reading a book and enjoying a glass of wine. She also enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family, grandchildren and her girl friends for life. Kathy was a very selfless and humble person who always thought of others first which was reflected in the card sending that marked every special occasion of those she loved. Kathy will be remembered as a thoughtful gift giver, and enjoyed her online shopping.
Kathy loved watching Mark and Paige grow up playing competitive baseball and volleyball. She and her family also enjoyed following the Kansas Jayhawks, Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals, as well as the Kentucky Derby and the Indy 500.
Kathy married Mark Ward in Topeka, Kansas on May 12, 1979. He survives her. She is also survived by a son Mark Ward II and his wife Heather and daughter Ryann, a daughter Paige Jones and husband Philip and their children Kai and Lawson, a brother John Shortall II and wife Amy and their children, Taylor and Sam Shortall, a sister Jan Andersen and her daughter Alex (Yann) Coquoz, sister-in-law, Ellen Pereira and her husband Gene and their sons and families, Mark (Bridget) Pereira and children Tess and Jake, and Kevin (Cary) Pereira and their children, Cy, Ella and Joe, and her cousin, Jeff Gutting. She will also be missed by her four-legged companion, Whistler.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Lisa and her brother-in-law, B. B. Andersen.
A rosary will be prayed for Kathy at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 1st at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. A celebration of life will follow the service at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Avenue, from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Kathy's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Interim Health Home Hospice for the compassionate care and kindness they extended to her.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Topeka Rescue Mission, Child Care Aware of Eastern Kansas, or to the Topeka Community Foundation to benefit the Topeka 20/30 Club, and sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, Kansas 66603.
Online condolences and fond memories may be left at www.brennanmathenafh.com.
Memories and Condolences
for Kathleen Ward
Sponsored by CJOnline.com.
31 Entries
Libby Adams
July 9, 2021
Mark and family, I am so so saddened with the news of Kathy's passing. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God give you His peace and comfort.
Linda Honeyman
July 9, 2021
Mark and family , remember the great snd loving stories from family and friends . It helps get you through all of the sadness. Prayers
Cliff Davis
July 2, 2021
Mark and Family- Sad to learn the news of Kathy's passing. She was such a pleasant person and I loved dealing with her in business.
Gail Eisenbarth
June 30, 2021
Kathy was my Zeta Tau Alpha daughter at Washburn! We had a Daddy Daughter function and Kathy shared her dad with me! We had the best time!
She was a very caring person! Praying for her family during this difficult time!
Matt McManis
June 30, 2021
Mark and Family, I am so very sorry to hear of Kathy's passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers in this difficult time. May Kathy rest easy now that she is relieved of her pain.
Diana Van Stone
June 30, 2021
Mark and family I´m so sorry to hear of the loss of Kathy. She was a beautiful lady inside and out and I remember the love and her sending you cards in the early years of Data Tel. May God lift you up in this time of great loss
dave cobler
June 28, 2021
Mark and Family, We are very sad to hear of the passing of Kathy .She was a fine lady and were sure she made you and the family proud of her . Please take care ,our thoughts are with you.
Riki and Dave Cobler
Amy Davis
June 28, 2021
Dear Ward Family, I'm so sad for your loss. Kathy was a precious lady. My prayers are with you.
Pat Reed
June 28, 2021
Mark and family, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Judy and Bob Conklin
June 27, 2021
Mark and family, we are so very sorry to hear of Kathy's passing. Met her years ago when she worked for George Barbee and had so many fun times on the 8th floor of the Merchants National Bank building, including her baby shower for "little" Mark. She was a very special lady and I am so glad I was fortunate to know and share fun times with her. Praying that your memories will help you all through this very difficult time.
Terry & Donna Maple
June 27, 2021
Mark and Family.....Terry and I are so very sorry for the loss of Kathy. We have so many fond memories of her and our crazy volleyball days. She was such a sweetheart with a heart of gold and a beautiful smile! She will be missed!
Allen Moran
June 26, 2021
Mark and family, sorry for your loss.
Nancy and Bob Riccardi
June 26, 2021
Thinking of you in this sad time. My condolences to all of you who survive her. Your happy memories will keep her alive in your hearts.
Tim Huston
June 26, 2021
John and Jan I am so sorry for your loss. Kathy was a great fun loving person who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Mark & Kim McCoy
June 25, 2021
Mark and Family, Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Kathy and I were class mates at HHS. She was one of the “good ones” back in school. She will be missed by so many.
Kimberly Dillon
June 24, 2021
My Dearest Kathy
First and most important your smile and kindness was the gift to all people. We may have only got to see each other two or three times a year for 30 years ,however they were the most precious times I could have had with a her. You know when they say you can count your best friends on one hand she was that strong one on my right hand. She will be that special friend in my heart forever. I will always cherish all of our fun loving memories. Know that every firework that sparkles on 4th of July will be your smile smiling on me.Miss you already my friend see you on the other side. ❤.
Linda (Browne) Nimz
June 24, 2021
Mark, Jan,
So very sorry for your loss. May she Rest In Peace.
Linda ( Browne) Nimz
June 24, 2021
Mark, Mark II, Paige, John & Jan,
My heart goes out to you all. Kathy was a beautiful person inside and out. She will be greatly missed by so many. Prayers you are able to find peace in knowing she is no longer in pain. God’s Blessings be with you all. MaryBeth Brennan
Elaine and Rick Toland
June 24, 2021
To Mark, Mark Jr., Paige, your families, and friends, we are so saddened by your loss. Kathy endured so much through the the past, and did so with grace. She was a generous, thoughtful, and beautiful woman inside and out, and a friend we will miss. Just as you, we will cherish the wonderful memories we have of time with her. Our deepest condolences!
Lori Lamden Roop
June 24, 2021
My deep condolences to Jan and all family members.
Bob and Barb Rusnak
June 23, 2021
Mark, Mark Jr and Paige,
We are so sorry to hear of Kathy’s passing. She was a wonderful woman and will be missed by all who were blessed enough to have known her!
May all your wonderful memories comfort you.
Barb and Bob Rusnak
Paulette Williamson
June 23, 2021
I want to express my condolences for your loss. I always enjoyed Kathy. It's hard to lose your spouse and a parent but I hope it eases your pain that she is with our Lord and is no longer in any pain. She is your Angel.
Paula Royer Leiler
June 23, 2021
Jan, I’m so sorry to hear about Kathleens passing. I also lost my sister and memories are still there to hold . You and your family are in my prayers
Cindy & Joe Reed
June 23, 2021
Words fail to express our deep sorrow for your loss.
Jim Kilmartin
June 23, 2021
Big Mark, little Mark, Paige & family
What can be said about such a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend to so many. Always willing to help with a smile on her face. We will always remember her fondly, and hope you find peace in this difficult time among friends and family.
Love you all,
Jim and Cindy Kilmartin
Linda & Corwyn Wenke
June 23, 2021
Mark, Jan, John, Mark II, Paige & families,
We are shocked and saddened to learn of Kathy's passing. She was always so friendly and caring.
May God bless and comfort you during this difficult time. Cherish the great memories you have.
Hugs, Corwyn & Linda
Rick Weissbeck
June 23, 2021
RIP
Sherry (Binkley) Clayton
June 23, 2021
So sorry to hear about the sad passing of Kathy. We were friends in grade school and it was fun to reconnect with her in recent years. May she Rest In Peace.
Cheryl McCrite
June 22, 2021
Mark & family,
So sorry to hear about Kathy, I know a huge loss for everyone. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. John & Jan, my deepest sympathy to both of you.
Cheryl McCrite
Grant and Jamie Rempe
June 21, 2021
Mark, Mark, Paige and family. We are so sorry for your loss. Kathy was such a strong, kind and loving woman and she fought so gracefully for such a long time. She is now in God’s loving arms with no pain. We pray you find peace and comfort knowing that during this difficult time.
Love, the Rempe Family
Terri Pease
June 19, 2021
Mark and family. I am so sorry about hearing about Kathy. Praying for you and your family during this difficult time. Kathy was an amazing lady.
Showing 1 - 31 of 31 results
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Memorial Events
for Kathleen Ward
Jul
1
Rosary
9:30 a.m.
Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church
KS
Jul
1
Memorial Mass
10:00 a.m.
Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church
KS
Jul
1
Celebration of Life
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home - Topeka800 SW 6th Ave, Topeka, KS 66603
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