Today, as I eat around the table with my family, I have the opportunity to reflect on all the ways my grandma Katie shaped my life. Most of all, I am struck by how the values she lived by are those that I hold most important in my life. A love for animals and humans alike, the value of civic knowledge and participation, a commitment to justice and honesty, and a quick, hot wit are the qualities that most define my grandmother in my eyes and are qualities I hope to embody in myself.
Among my most treasured memories with my grandmother was spending time in the backyard, feeding lettuce to her little colony of turtles. Her home was full of animals; in addition to the turtles, birds and squirrels frequented her feeders and birdbaths. I succession of small energetic dogs, and secretive, comtemplative cats inhabited her little brick house and garnered her fierce protection and love. From my grandmother I learned how to read and treat animals, and that has been an invalueable lesson applicableto to humans and people alike.
As we say goodbye to a remarkable woman, who lived a long and full life, I hope to embrace the values she lived by more completely in my life. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have learned from Katie, and for the opportunity now to gather and appreciate the positive influence she has had on each of our lives.
Kathryn Brenner, 94 of Wichita passed away Thursday, October 15th 2015.
She was born February 4th, 1921 in Wichita to Herbert and Katie Madigan. Kathryn grew up in Wichita with her brother Herbert Patrick. She graduated from Wichita High School East in 1940. She was employed at Beach Aircraft, Best Roofing, Ultra Modern Pools and St. Francis Hospital over her long life, retiring from St. Francis Hospital. Early in her adulthood she was a member of Sweet Adelines, and later in life she voluneered to teach local children how to read.
On August 3rd, 1945 Kathryn Brenner married Donald W. Hibarger. They had 5 children together, Donna (Crist), Walter, Ann (Weeks), Robert and Don Curtis. Kathryn had a happy but brief second marriage to Harold Brenner. Her marriage to Harold made it possible for her to call herself a "world traveler" much to her enjoyment.
Kathryn enjoyed singing, was an avid reader, loved family gatherings of any sort and kept herself politically informed. She instilled a love of animals in every one of her family members and always kept pets in her home. She made it a daily routine to feed and water the birds in her back yard. Kathryn spent the last 2 years of her life at Comfort Care Homes, a facility specializing in Alzheimer care. She was a favorite at every location because she would always sing along when musicians were in house.
Survivors include her daughter Donna Crist, sons Walter and Curtis Hibarger, grandchildren Cheryl Crist, Rio Jose, Mariah, Ivan and Julie Hibarger, Cody Hibarger, Jesse Hibarger and Valerie Lillich, Jeff, Ryan and Jeremy Burnam, Curtis Ray and Julie Hibarger, Kelly and Christina Hibarger and Hayley Hibarger. Kathryn also had 6 great grandchildren at the time of her passing.
She was preceded in death by her mother, brother, father, step mother, first husband Don, second husband Harold, son Robert and daughter Ann.
Kathryn’s wish was to be cremated and buried with her mother at Calvary Cemetery in Wichita. A Memorial service celebrating her life will be held at The Hungry Heart at 222 S. Commerce in Wichita from 11am to 1pm on Sunday November 1st.
Tributes are short messages commemorating Kathryn, or an expression of support to her closest family and friends. Leave your first tribute here, and others will follow.
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In the End
"In the end, only three things matter,
How much you loved,
How gently you lived,
and how gracefully you let go
of things not meant for you ." ..Buddha
Katie achieved all three of these, with charm, wit and strength.
Katie with daughter Donna, son Walt and holding daughter Ann