IN MEMORIAM
EXPANDED EULOGIES
Kathryn Armstrong
Services for Kathryn Ann (Park) Armstrong, who passed away March 9, 2022, at her home, will be 10 a.m. Thursday at the Christian Church of Florence.
Kathryn was born April 4, 1939, to Willard “Bill” Grant Park and Edith (Caress) Park at the Stubenhofer home in Strong City. She grew up south of Clements with her sister, Mildred and brother, Bill.
At the young age of 4½, she lost her mother. After the loss of their mother, they lived with their grandparents until their father married Jesse Fagg from Emporia. The family then moved to their family farm south of the stone arch bridge near Clements.
Kathryn attended school in Clements, where she graduated as valedictorian in 1957.
In September of 1958 she was united in marriage to Delvin O’Dell. To this union they welcomed three children, Rhonda Leigh, Bret Wade, and Brenda Dee.
From the time she graduated, she had numerous jobs as a bookkeeper for several businesses in Florence and Marion.
In 1970, she and Delvin purchased the Florence Beaston’s Market and started O’Dell’s Grocery, which they ran together with their children until 1987.
In 1988, she married Dean Armstrong in Arizona, and together they owned and managed many businesses in Florence and Marion, where she did all of the bookkeeping.
After their retirement, they enjoyed traveling and going to antique shows, where they made many friends. During this time, they wintered in Florida and came back to Kansas to enjoy time with family during the summer at their cabin at Marion County Lake.
Kathryn enjoyed playing host to many friends and family in their home and always was ready to finish the evening with a good round of Rummikub or pitch. She loved all holidays, but her favorite holiday was Christmas, when she loved having all of the family in for a meal, gift exchange, and a traditional pitch tournament with everyone trying so hard to beat Grandma!
If she knew someone was coming, she immediately had to bake fresh cookies. Her cookie plate was never empty.
Kathryn was a member of Florence Christian Church, where she taught Sunday School.
She was baptized on Easter Sunday with her daughter Rhonda. She recently told one of her granddaughters that her greatest accomplishment in her life was her family, who she adored as much as they adored her.
Kathryn enjoyed many hours reading and playing board games and cards with family and friends.
She is survived by daughter Rhonda Hett (and husband Eldon) of Marion and Brenda Clouse (and husband Bill) of Smithville, Missouri; daughter-in-law Randi O’Dell of Peabody; stepdaughters Ann Heide (and husband Tim) of Texas and Ellen Egan (and husband Mike) of El Dorado; grandchildren Jerod Hett (and wife Natalie), Justin Hett (and wife Brea), Shawna Johnson (and husband Albert), Megan Thomas (and husband Joel), Alysha Haines (and husband Alex), all of Marion; Kellan Clouse of Milton, Florida, and Keaton Clouse of Smithville, Missouri; step-grandchildren John Egan, Jaymie Adams (and husband Jesse), Ashley Heide and Olivia Heide; great-grandchildren Easton, Nina, and Ian Hett; Lily, Otis, and Guss Hett; Caileigh and Carlynn Johnson; Rylee and Clayton Thomas; and Tessa, Rhett and Lucas Haines; sister Mildred Hein (and husband John) of Wichita; brother Bill Park (and wife Donna) of Sanger, Texas; sister-in-law June (Armstrong) Hoffman of Arizona; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Dean, and son Bret.
Her family will gather with friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Yazel Megli Funeral Home, Marion.
A memorial fund has been established with Good Shepherd Hospice in care of the funeral home. Please sign her online guestbook and leave a memory of Kathryn at www.yazelmeglifh.com.