ELLINWOOD — Kathleen Joyce Gant, 97, passed away June 9, 2025, at the Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood, Kan. She was born April 17, 1928 in Portis, Kan. to Ross and LuCinda (Wolters) Rube. Kathleen attended Portis school until her junior year when her dad quit farming and they moved to Concordia, Kan. She graduated from Concordia High School. After high school, she worked and lived in KC, Wichita, Holyrood and Beloit. In 1962, Kathleen settled in Portis. She worked at the Treasurer’s Office in the Osborne County Courthouse. After a few years, she took a job at the welfare office which later became the Social & Rehabilitation Services. She retired in 1996 after 30 years. In the fall of that same year, she made a final move to Ellinwood to be near her daughter and granddaughters. Kathleen was a lifelong member of the Grace Brethren Church of Portis. Her spiritual life began at the age of 10 when she became a Christian and was baptized. Her favorite times were spent visiting family and friends. She blessed many people’s lives by serving them whether in everyday life or at work.

Kathleen is survived by her daughter, Rachelle Widener and husband Monte of Ellinwood, Kan.; two granddaughters, Candace Herrman and husband Brad of Ellinwood, Kan. and Dayna Ball of Ellinwood, Kan.; six great grandchildren, Olivia, Noah, Caleb, Isaac, Micah and Aria Herrman.

Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until service time Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Grace Brethren Church, Portis. Celebration of Life Services will be at 10:30 .m., Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at Grace Brethren Church in Portis, Kan. Burial will follow in the Bethany Cemetery, Portis, Kan. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be given to Grace Brethren Church of Portis and can be sent in care of the mortuary. To leave an online condolence visit www.rfmortuaries.com.

Funeral arrangements provided by

Rentschler Familh Mortuaries

238 N. 1st Street

Osborne, KS  67473

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, June 14, 2025