Kathryn Hollopeter

MRS. KATHRYN HOLLOPETER Kathryn (Sark) Hollopeter, 95, a longtime resident of the Caney- Copan area passed away May 31 at the Guest Home Estates in Caney, where she had resided for the past 4 years. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday June 4, 2014 in the Caney United Methodist Church, officiated by Pastor Bob Clemence. After refreshments at the Church, final commital rites will given to her at about 3:30 in the Dewey Cemetery under the direction of the Stumpff Funeral Home & Crematory. Kathryn was born August 26, 1918 in Bartlesville to Elmer J. and Margaret (Gallogly) Sark. Her family lived in several locations with Phillips Petroleum during her childhood before returning to Bartlesville, where she completed her schooling and graduated with the Bartlesville High School class of 1936. In the spring of 1941 she realized her childhood dream of becoming a registered nurse by graduating from the Hertzler Clinic and Hospital in Halstead Kansas. Kathryn began a great adventure of her life when she traveled by train and ship to Anchorage, Alaska to marry the love of her life, Ernest Hollopeter, on August 24, 1941. Kathryn was evacuated because of the war, but returned and gave birth to Lois in Anchorage in 1943, later came Scott in 1947 and after 8 years Kathryn and her family left Alaska in a one ton Dodge truck down the newly built Alcan highway, arriving back in Oklahoma 17 days and 4,263 miles later on September 23, 1949. Shortly after returning to Oklahoma, Kathryn and Ernest moved to their farm/ranch in Cotton Valley, northern Washington County where they would raise their family and spend their lives. Kathryn made a warm home, was active with 4-H club and home demonstration club and in 1960 restarted her nursing career at the old and then the new Caney hospitals. She was a member of the Athenian club in Dewey, the RN club of Caney, the Methodist Churches in Copan and Caney, and a lifetime member of the Eastern Star in Montgomery county. Kathryn was a Cowboy fan, especially the Tom Landry Dallas Cowboys, who she traveled to see many times with her girlfriends and was always a big OSU Cowboy fan. A letter from Tom Landry and a phone call with Keiton Page were highlights. Kathryn had many close friends and admirers throughout her life because of her kind and gentle heart and her positive upbeat personality. One of her favorite quotes was "to have a friend you must be a friend" and that meant thinking of other people's needs, serving and caring for others; that is how she lived her life, personally as well as professionally as a nurse, and why others always enjoyed her company. Everything was always the best with Kathryn; she would tell you that the workers and staff at Guest Home Estates made it the best place in the world to live; and that she had the best life anyone could have because she had the best family and friends. A memorial has been established in her name at the Caney United Methodist Church; those wishing to contribute may do so in care of the Church office, 114 N High Street, Caney, Kansas 67333. Survivors include one son, Scott and his wife Gulya Hollopeter of rural Copan; her daughter, Lois and husband, Bob Ballard of Duncan, Oklahoma; 5 grandchildren, Lance Ballard and Shawn, Tess, Elena and Leeza Hollopeter, and one great grandson, Preston Ballard; many friends and other relatives. Friends who wish may sign the online guest book and leave condolences at www.stumpff.org. PDF Printable Version

Kathryn Hollopeter

August 26, 1918 - May 31, 2014