Kathleen Mary Brown

Kathleen Mary Brown, age 78, of Hill City, Kansas, passed away January 2, 2023.

She was born Kathleen Mary Newell May 2, 1944, in Damar, Kansas. She was the second daughter born to Lawrence and Rita (Brin) Newell. As she grew so did the family—a total of nine children.

Kathy attended school in Damar. As a young woman she met a boy from Natoma by the name of Lyle Gene Brown. He was the love of her life. Lyle and Kathy were married April 15, 1961. The couple were blessed with eight children: Darrell, Lila, Ricky, Shawn, Tracey, Gale, Cindy, and Tony.

Kathy had several jobs before settling in at the Graham County Hospital as a nurse’s aide for several years and ended her 15 years as a ward clerk. She loved working at the hospital, caring for people and loved the staff. One thing about Kathy was she always came home with a pocket full of pens and medical tape.

She was very active in the Catholic Church. Kathy and Lyle attended Marriage Encounter and became very involved in this ministry, traveling all over the United States sharing their wealth of wisdom to other married couples for almost 20 years. During these travels they took their children and made numerous friends and acquaintances they still have to this day.

There are so many memories with Kathy Brown. No doubt you certainly have a few of your own. Kathy loved to hunt, fish and go camping. The family would leave for the lake the day after school was out for summer and return the day before school started. The vacation was spent fishing, boating and lots of family time. Hunting season came around and Kathy was right there deer hunting with the best of them. Kathy loved every minute of family time.

The door was always open wide for visits from family, friends and other peoples’ kids. There were no strangers. Although they were welcomed with open arms, they knew rather quickly they were going to adhere to Kathy’s rules.

In her lifetime, Kathy made hundreds, maybe thousands of bierocks and sticky buns. She would make them for anyone at any time. Her recipes are still closely followed, but somehow, they are just a pinch off somewhere. Many people knew her simply as “The Bierock Lady." But she was so much more than that. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, loyal sister, friend, and confidante.

Kathy loved her grandkids and they so enjoyed the ornery side of her. She was the prime instigator of all water balloon fights, water gun fights, and of course the spraying water out of the kitchen window on anyone that was in the yard.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lawrence and Rita Newell; her sons: Ricky Lee and Tony Blake; brothers: Leland Newell, Harold Newell, and Michael Newell; sisters: Louise Newell, Albertine Garcia; and an important man in her life that was a part of this family for a long time, Adrian Yeo, who passed away almost seven years ago.

She is survived by her children: Darrell (Trish) of El Dorado, Lila Brown of Hill City, Shawn (Janet) of Hill City, Tracey (Ronnie) of Diamond, Ill., Gale (Robin) of El Dorado, and Cindy (Robert) Hall of Hill City; 19 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; her brother Dale Newell; two sisters: Lois (Pat) Sumner of Laferia, Texas and Carmen (Don) Sims of Sedan; many nieces and nephews; and Brad (Boot) Hill of Bogue, who is always there for the family.

A unique, one-of-a-kind lady, Kathy Brown, will always hold a special place in our hearts. Woo-Hoo to you, dear Kathy. We love you always.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 7, at 10:00 a.m., at the Immaculate Heart of Mary, 110 N. 10th, Hill City, Kansas. Final resting place will be Plainville Cemetery.