Katherine Smith

Katherine Christina Smith, 97, of Axtell, KS died Monday, August 29, 2011 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Marysville, KS.

Katherine was born July 10, 1914 on the family farm south of Waterville, KS to Diedrich Wichman and Carrie Knudson Wichman.  She went to school at Chapman School in Washington County, KS where graduated from the 8 ^th grade.

She married Edmund B. Smith on April 2, 1935 at the Washington County Courthouse.  They farmed in Marshall County for 66 years, farming in rural Waterville from 1914-1940 and then rural Axtell from 1940 until retiring in 2001.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church, Beattie, KS and had been a member various other community groups in her younger days.

She is survived by her son, Gerald Smith and his wife Kathryn M. (Kathy) Smith of Axtell, KS, a son-inlaw, John L. Hawkins of Beattie, KS.  Four grandchildren Rick Smith, Tom Smith, Dennis Hawkins and Judy Dannar; nine great grandchildren, Ben Hawkins, Kevin Hawkins, Mark Hawkins, Cody Dannar, Jamie Smith, Kevin Smith, Lindsey Smith, Brandon Smith and Alex Smith.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Edmund Smith who died March 29, 2001, a daughter, LaNea Hawkins March 26, 2010, four brothers, Julius, Wayne, Rudolph, Clifford a sister Lorayne Fincham, and two grandsons, Gary Hawkins who died on September 12, 1976 and James Smith who was stillborn on August 6, 1960.

Funeral services will be Friday, September 2, 2011 at the Beattie United Methodist Church at 10:00 am.  The Rev. Norma Jean Miller will conduct the services.  Darlene Porting will play the organ and Marilyn Rogers will sing and play the guitar.  Casket bearers are great-grandchildren, Ben Hawkins, Kevin Hawkins, Mark Hawkins, Cody Dannar, Lindsey Smith, Brandon Smith, Alex Smith, Jamie Smith and Kevin Smith.   Honorary casket bearers are Barry Buessing, Gene Porting, Jim Runnebaum, Jeff Koch, Al Porting, Gerald Porting and Virgil Ronnebaum.  Burial will be in the Rose Hill Cemetery, Axtell, KS.  Mrs. Smith will lie in state all day Thursday at the Landreth-Popkess Funeral Home with a family visitation from 7:00 - 8:30 pm, Thursday, at the funeral home.

The Landreth-Popkess Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.  www.popkessmortuaries.com