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BORN
1933
DIED
2024
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Catherine Leeker Obituary
October 2, 1933 - December 28, 2024
Olathe, Kansas - Catherine Anne Leeker, 91, Shawnee, KS, passed away Saturday, December 28, 2024, at Hoeger House in Olathe, KS. Catherine was born in Lenexa, KS, on October 2, 1933, to John and Mary Elizabeth (McGrath) Leeker. She graduated from Ursuline Academy in Paola, KS and attended Avila College, where she earned her degree in teaching. She received her master's degree from Webster University. She taught second and third grades for the Shawnee Mission School District for 57 years. Catherine was a lifelong devoted Catholic and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Shawnee. Catherine touched the lives of many people, including her former students who were always so happy to see her. She believed in the value of a good education and took great joy in being a teacher, always calling her students "my kids." A former principal once said of Catherine that "she could teach a rock to read" and that she was "the master of the teachable moment." That describes her perfectly. During her teaching career, she received numerous awards, including being recognized as the 2003 Outstanding Elementary School Teacher of the Year by the city of Overland Park, the Lenexa Rotary Club, and the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers. The City of Overland Park proclaimed May 28, 2003 as "Catherine Leeker Day." In her spare time and in retirement, Catherine enjoyed spending time with her family and playing Bunco and Bridge with her friends. She enjoyed going to movies, reading books and The Kansas City Star, doing puzzles and watching Game Show Network. Catherine was a fun aunt to her nieces and nephews. She gave them many great memories from childhood all the way to adulthood, always being there for birthday and holiday celebrations, as well as every Sunday where her great-nieces and nephews also got to share their lives with her. She was always inquisitive and interested in the lives of others and remembered every detail that someone shared with her. She loved her birthday and will be eternally 19. She will be greatly missed. Catherine's family would like to give special thanks to the staff at Hoeger House, who were so kind and helpful to her for the last two years, and to Father Bala Miriyala for everything he did for her. Catherine was preceded in death by her siblings, Sister Celine Leeker, John Leeker Jr., Rose Leeker, Margaret Hutchinson, William Leeker and Patricia Leeker. She is survived by her sister, Agnes Phelps, Overland Park, KS; and her nieces and nephews.
A rosary will be at 9:30 a.m., Friday, January 10, 2025, with visitation at 10 a.m., at Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 555 W. Main Street, Gardner, KS. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m., with burial to follow at St. Columbia Catholic Cemetery in Gardner. Memorial contributions may be given to St. Mary India Society. Condolences can be left at www.brucefuneralhome.com.
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Memories and Condolences
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Sponsored by Kansas City Star.
3 Entries
Dennis and Becky Vrbas
January 26, 2025
We were heartbroken to hear of Miss Leeker´s passing. She was our daughters´s 2nd grade teacher at Apache. She was a wonderful teacher and became a role model for her desire to teach, which in years she did.
Dennis and I both taught in SM and through Jessica´s experience with Catherine we became friends.
She attended Jessica´s HS graduation, college graduation and her wedding. We exchanged Christmas cards with letters every year. We could not wait to read her yearly wrap up.
She was not only a one of a kind teacher and role model but she was a beautiful person inside and out. May she be in God´s arms now, and playing Bunko with the angels.
Peggy Andra
January 9, 2025
I taught with Catherine at Greenwood for the first five years of my teaching career. She was a master teacher! She had a positive influence on all staff, students, and parents!
Lynn Busch Head
January 8, 2025
My deepest condolences to Miss Leeker's family. She was always a blast to teach with. She always had a smile and encouraging word for me as a new teacher at Greenwood. She lived her life always very intentionally. She is a legend!
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Bruce Funeral Home, Inc. - Gardner106 South Center PO Box 192, Gardner, KS 66030
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