Kathryn Love, 70, of Manhattan and Wamego, passed away early Tuesday, March 29th, at Ascension Via Christi Health Hospital surrounded by loved ones.
Kathy was born January 18, 1952, in Westmoreland, Kansas, the daughter of Laura M. Enlow and John L. Brown. She was a treasured community builder who worked in support and service for all those she knew. She spent many years working in public service with the State of Kansas. Her fondest memories were working to build a home and home business with her late husband, Ernie Love. Kathy was the foundation of their horse boarding business where they kept horses and created families for those that boarded with them.
Kathy loved life and took every chance she could to enjoy the everyday miracles with gratitude and joy. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her greatest joys. She loved to dance and her laughter was medicine to those she shared it with. Always willing to give her support to those in need, Kathy was an example of a vibrant, loving-hearted nurturer. Kathy was an avid traveler who was always ready for her next adventure. She enjoyed traveling to the mountains of Colorado and Tennessee, the beaches in California and Florida, and she had a special fondness for Texas. She had a passion for great food and baking. Kathy was always looking for her next favorite recipe and spent days making delicious treats for friends and family during the Christmas season. Her soft sugar cookies, fudge, and white chocolate popcorn were an expected treat for those she loved. Over the years she grew fond of gardening and was excited to begin planting her garden this spring. She had just begun to get her garden in order as the days were growing warmer.
Kathy is survived by her mother, Laura Crabs (Enlow); her sisters, Susie Hofmann (Brown) and Barbie (Brown); her daughters, Wendy Murphy and Marilyn Ortega, her grandchildren, Melanie Moss, Jordan VanderZee (Murphy), Malina Murphy, Nia Young, and Gracie Ortega; her great-grandchildren, Aubrianna Conard, Trinity Conard, Isaac Eytcheson, and Noah VanderZee; countless nieces and nephews; and all of her bonus family that she built over the years. Kathy was preceded in death by her stepdad, Kerwin “Corky” Crabs, her late husband, Ernie Love, and her cherished cherub great-grandson Reiker Murphy. Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society 1315 SW Arrowhead Road; #2 Topeka, KS 66601. Arrangements were in the care of the Carlson’s Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home, Manhattan.