Kathryn Gerstner

Send Flowers Kathryn "Kit" "Kit" Gerstner June 27, 1929 - June 4, 2014 Kathryn “Kit” Gerstner June 27, 1929 - June 4, 2014 Kathryn “Kit” Gerstner passed away at her home in Colby, Kansas on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at the age of 84. She was born in Salina, Kansas on June 27, 1929, the daughter of Cecil and Anna Hammett. After graduating from Sacred Heart High School in the spring of 1947, she married Alfred Gerstner on April 20, 1948 in Salina, Kansas. She continued her work as a nurses assistant and the young couple lived in WaKeeney, Kansas, as she and Al began their life together. In 1949 her first child, Linda, was born and she began her career as a fantastic stay at home mother and wife. In the next few years additional daughters blessed her family, Cindy and Diane. She continued to be a leader in many social and church functions, and she brought the values of sharing, worship and commitment to life in her family and friends. A job promotion for Al was presented and with it a move to Colby, Kansas. Kit took charge of the move and made another wonderful home there for her family. The addition of five more children, Ann, Chris, Rex, Laura and Melissa, brought more joy to her life and she continued to be a wonderful homemaker and teacher for her children. For a brief time the family moved to Dodge City as Al was given another job promotion, but soon thereafter, Kit and her family found their final destination in Colby. With her family active in many different directions, Kit immersed herself once again with Sacred Heart Catholic School activities, charity events to benefit the school and church; prayer circles and social circles; and enveloped herself with family and close friends. Kit was an avid reader and enjoyed many novels and stories. Her favorite stories were of 16th century history, biographies and mysteries. Another of her great passions was the art of sewing, where she mastered and created many beautiful items. Sewing was a passion she pursued with great perfection and shared this talent not only with her own children and grandchildren, but also others as a 4-H leader. Kit was entrenched deeply in the community of Colby, and her ability to bring a smile to others and make them feel important and special was a trait that made others respect and admire her. She was a great listener and her kindness and generosity made her a treasure for the community. Kit is survived by her husband, Alfred Gerstner of Colby and by her eight children; Linda Stockman and husband Garold of Colby; Cindy Cutting and husband Dane of Chandler, AZ, Carol Diane Gerstner, Colby; Ann Siemsen and husband Cary of Colby; Chris Gerstner and wife Diann of Colby; Rex Gerstner and partner Michael Graham of Dallas, TX; Laura Mueller of Derby, KS; and Melissa Haberkorn and husband Robert of Beaufort, SC, and her sister Karyn Simon of Montreal, Canada. Kit has a total of 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Roland and LeRoy and sister Irene. The funeral will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Colby, Kansas, officiated by Father Gale Hammerschmidt (great nephew) and Fr. Dana Clark on June 9, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. The burial will follow the funeral service in WaKeeney, Kansas. The pall bearers will be Shawn Stockman, Damon Belshe, Zachary Piper, Michael McKay, David Miley, Michael Hink, Tucker Gerstner and Kaleb Mueller. Kit will be laying at rest at Kersenbrock Funeral Home with a viewing Sunday, June 8, 2014 from 2-5 p.m. and the rosary will take place at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Colby on Sunday, June 8, 2014 at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations made to Sacred Heart School would be an appropriate and appreciated way to celebrate her devotion to the church.