Kathryn Lois (Ratzlaff) Gering, age 86, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2023, after a 3 year battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family.

Kathy was born in Menno, Oklahoma, the 3rd of 5 children born to Walter E Ratzlaff and Alice (Unruh) Ratzlaff.

Kathy grew up on a farm outside of Menno, Oklahoma and attended one room schools. The family moved to Lehigh, Kansas in 1952. Kathy went on to graduate from Lehigh High School in 1954 and attended Bethel College for two years, studying general education. From 1956 to 1978, she worked at Bethel Clinic doing various jobs, “All but patient care.”

Kathy married Douglas Gering in 1959 and later divorced in 1983. Together, they adopted son, Jay David in May of 1965 and daughter, Kay Annette in June of 1968.

Kathy will be remembered for her zest for life. She enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, canning, arts and crafts, sewing, crocheting, baking, music, singing and dancing. She stated, “You can’t live without music!” Some of her favorites included Frank Sinatra, Bing Cosby and Tony Bennett. She loved being active and spending time with friends.

Kathy’s sense of adventure took her to live and work in Florida. After several hurricanes, she moved to Rogersville, Tennessee and enjoyed the beauty of that region of the country. She enjoyed working and was a long time Mary Kay consultant. In 2019 she moved back to Newton to be close to family. She was a member at the First Presbyterian Church of Newton. She never lost her smile, even in the face of her greatest challenges, and she will be remembered with love and laughter.

She was preceded in death by both parents and brother, Ivan Ratzlaff. She is survived by a son, Jay Gering of Garfield, Arkansas. Daughter, Kay (Gering) Schrag, husband Randy of Hesston. Two grandchildren, Alyssa (Schrag) Neises, husband Nathan Neises of Oxford. Grandson, Cameron, wife Callie (Berger) Schrag of McPherson, four great grandchildren; Krisitan Schrag, Kylor Schrag, Brynlee Schrag and Thea Neises. She is also survived by brothers; Johnny Ratzlaff, wife Carol of Newton, Bruce Ratzlaff, wife Maxine of Jet, Oklahoma and sister, Iris Boss, husband Dale of Denver, Co.

Family will host a memorial at a later date with close family and friends. Memorials can be sent to Harry Hynes Hospice.