Katherine Joanne Clouse

Katherine "Kathy" J. Clouse, 80, of Smithville, Missouri, passed away peacefully on November 8, 2025, surrounded by her family and loved ones after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Kathy was born on September 25, 1945, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Charles and Matilda Soetaert. She grew up on a 50-acre farm in Olathe, Kansas, alongside her brother Jim, though she was never particularly fond of animals. She remembered watching her mother tend to the dairy and her father prepare the tractors for the day's work.

Kathy graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1963 and began her collegiate studies at St. Mary's before embarking on her teaching career at Christ the King and later St. Augustine. After pausing to earn her bachelor's degree from the University of Central Missouri, she continued her career in the Park Hill School District, where she mainly taught sixth-grade social studies for 24 years before retiring in 2003. She is fondly remembered by her students for her cheerful spirit and her trademark silly earrings.

Kathy was known by all as a caring, loyal, and loving person. She enjoyed collecting gifts throughout the year to give to her family and friends, always thinking of what would make others smile. Her family loved teasing her for her spunky attitude, which she met with humor and good spirit. Friends and loved ones admired her remarkable ability to connect with anyone- she was truly a social butterfly who could make a friend wherever she went. Some of Kathy's favorite activities included traveling on mystery trips, supporting local businesses and restaurants, playing cards, watching Wheel of Fortune, and cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals.

Kathy married the love of her life, Mason Clouse, on August 7, 1988. Prior to her marriage to Mason, she was married to William Hale and Mehdi Daee, who blessed her with her three beautiful children-Diana, Shawn, and Allison. Together, Kathy and Mason shared a love of travel, exploring destinations around the world. They also took great joy in attending the many activities and sporting events of their grandchildren, a tradition Kathy joyfully continued with her great-grandchildren. A lifelong devout Catholic, Kathy was a proud and active member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church since 1990. She shared her time and talents in many roles, including teacher at the Parish School of Religion, member of the Parish Council, eucharistic minister, lector, and pastoral care volunteer. She also served as Altar Society president, was a member of the church building committee, and even founded a ladies' bunco club that brought laughter and friendship to many.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Matilda Soetaert, and her husband, Mason Clouse. She is survived by her brother, Jim (Trish) Soetaert; her sister-in-law, Sharron (Gary) Smith; her children, Diana (Kevin) Nolan, Shawn (Doris) Hale, and Allison (Matthew) Swanson; as well as nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Smithville, MO on Wednesday, November 12th. Visitation will begin at10:00am, with the praying of the Rosary at 11:15am, followed by the funeral mass at 12:00pm. Interment will take place at Terrace Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Kathy's memory to the Good Shepherd Catholic Church Debt Reduction Fund.

The family extends a heartfelt thank-you to the staff of McCrite Plaza and St. Luke's Hospice for their compassion, care, and friendship during Kathy's illness.