Kathy J Ediger

Kathy was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, on December 15,1963 and got her midwestern values from her parents Lew and Julane Ediger. She got her work ethic, boundary setting skills and business sense from her father and her playfulness and conversation skills from her mother. Kathy's grandparents, Art and Mary Smisor, managed the Landmark Hotel. When Kathy was three and a half years old, she answered the switchboard. Kathy loved spending time with her Grandma Mary who was a great storyteller and filled her mind with the possibilities of imagination. She and her mom were models for Lew's Belco company which specialized in Ultra Vans and the Tiara RV. Kathy was proud to model in her white vinyl go-go boots. She graduated from Hutchinson High School where she was a cheerleader and part of the drama department. Kathy went to Wichita State University and later auditioned and was accepted into the prestigious acting conservatory at Webster University in St. Louis. She was a talented actress, but, inspired by her grandmother's storytelling, switched to writing classes. Kathy's adventurous spirit took her to New York where she was one of the editors for a magazine called Gifts and Decorative Accessories. She lived in Denver, Colorado, Atlanta, Georgia, Mobile, Alabama, and later moved back to St. Louis. She wrote for St. Louis Magazine and was an award-winning writer. She wrote poems and short stories about growing up in the Midwest. She told stories of childhood characters she met along the way. Kathy's story of how her parents met and their tradition of gifting an old red shoe found in the gutter on their first date; at weddings, birthdays, and holidays, was published in Mary Engelbreit's magazine. Kathy had a great eye for visuals and was a stylist for magazine photoshoots. She loved animals and had many beloved pets throughout her lifetime. Kathy had a frog, a gerbil, an iguana, several fish, a huge dwarf frog, a twenty-six-year-old newt, a pet squirrel and several beloved dogs she cared for like her own children. She reunited with her childhood friend, Sam Torrence, in Atlanta. Kathy and Sam loved their hometown of Hutchinson and moved back to be closer to their families. They got married in Lindsborg, Kansas and honeymooned at Coronado Heights. Kathy loved mid-century modern furniture and antiques. She operated a successful Esty store, including selling items to famous Hollywood television shows. She loved preserving history and helped save the Ye Old Mill ride at the Kansas state fair from being torn down. Kathy was also interested in helping restore the Landmark Hotel that her grandparents managed. She used her eye for antiques, writing skills, and ability to style photoshoots to start her own business called Paper Moon Estate Sales. Kathy worked hard conducting estate sales up until the very end.
Kathy passed on May 15, 2025, at her home. She is survived by: Sam Torrence, husband; Julane Ediger, mother; Mike and Virginia Torrence, in-laws; Ryan, Leah, and Sarah Torrence, stepchildren; Steve, Kelly and Jon Ediger, brother, sister-in-law, and nephew; Sherry Wray, a very special cousin; Brad Smisor, cousin and Maizy and Griffin her two beloved dogs. She was preceded in death by: her father, Lew Ediger; Art and Mary Smisor and John and Martha Ediger, grandparents.
Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will take place at a later date.
Kathy was a unique, wonderful, and loving wife, daughter, friend and animal parent who will always and forever be in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to The Hutchinson Animal Shelter in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main St, Hutchinson, KS, 67501.