Apr 16, 2023

Kathryn B. Compton

Posted Apr 16, 2023 3:45 PM

Kathryn Berniece Kahoe Compton
1926 - 2023

Born 11 January 1926 at her Aunt Verna’s home in North Platte, Nebraska, Kathryn Kahoe was the only child of George William Kahoe and Rose Mildred Musser Kahoe.

Kathryn taught in rural schools for three years after graduation from High School at the age of 16.

Starting in the summer of 1943, Kathryn took classes at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln for three summers.

On February 25, 1946, Kathryn married Billy Perry Compton and Kathryn graduated from Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen, South Dakota in 1948 with a BS Degree in Education.

After living briefly in Stillwater, OK; Emporia, KS; Quincy, KS and Texas City, TX; Billy and Kathryn moved to Wichita, where they both worked for Boeing.

Kathryn’s volunteer work was extensive and included eight years on the Haysville Board of Education, 20 years in PTA, 20 years as a Volunteer Income Tax preparer for the IRS, 20 years as a Docent at the Wichita-Sedgwick County Historical Museum, and work as an Election Supervisory Judge in Sedgwick County.

Kathryn was a Registered Parliamentarian and a member of the Sunflower Unit National Association of Parliamentarians. She was a 57-year member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, held many offices at the state and local level, and served as their National Vice President General for three years. She was also a 54-year member of the National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, where she also held many offices at the state and local level. She was a member of the American Association of University Women for 54 years and served as their local branch Treasurer for 10 years until her death.

Kathryn was also a member of the Haysville Friends of the Library, Haysville Genealogy Group, Red Hats ‘N Kansas, and many other civic organizations.

A life-long learner, Kathryn often attended Life Ventures classes at East Heights United Methodist Church, and Lifelong Learning Online classes through Wichita State University. She also loved to travel. She visited all 50 states, Europe, Canada, Mexico, and South Korea.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband, and her parents.

She is survived by her son, Carl, and his wife Suzie (Konkel) Compton of Derby, KS; grandchildren, Claire Compton and David Dawdy of Atlanta, GA; Dr. Caty Compton of Columbia, SC; Craig Compton of Wichita, KS; Colleen and her husband, David Thompson, of Alexandria, VA; Christian Compton of Manhattan, KS; and great-granddaughter, Clarke Kathryn Thompson.

In lieu of funeral, a celebration of her life will be held at the Haysville Community Library on July 15, 2023 from 10am to Noon. Please consider honoring Kathryn by donating in her name to the Kansas DAR Scholarship, the Haysville Community Library, or one of the many other charitable organizations she was involved with. Kathryn made her final generous donation by bequeathing her body to the KU Medical Center’s Willed Body Program to help train young medical students to become doctors. Donate Here