Lois Katherine Eisele, 86, of Overland Park, Kansas, passed away peacefully into eternal glory on May 27th, 2021 at Sunrise of Leawood. Katherine was born on February 1, 1935 in Rocky Ford Colorado to Harold and Lela Hamm. She was married to her college sweetheart George A. Eisele for 64 years. He preceded her in death on April 7, 2020 at the age of 90. Katherine attended McPherson College in 1953. After George graduated, they were married, and she began teaching in a one room schoolhouse. In 1961 they moved, along with their two daughters to Nigeria, Africa and taught in the Waka schools for three years. There they had their third daughter and lots of adventures on the mission field. They returned to Lincoln Nebraska, where Katherine ran her own business for 35 years in drapery design and developed a reputation of excellence, while simultaneously keeping up a household and supporting her family. They moved to Overland Park, KS in 2006.
Her joy was found in pouring into her family, her daughters, their spouses and mostly her grandkids. Katherine’s interests also included a love of gardening, cooking, and sewing. She made houses into homes, gardens into retreats, and meals into memorable moments. She made birthdays, graduations, holidays reasons to celebrate life and made them special with her talent and extra effort. She taught future generations all that she learned by example, whether it be her girls, church family, refugees, neighbor kids or grandchildren. She invested into the lives of all that she knew.
She was a passionate servant and caretaker throughout her life. Whether it be the years of activities through the Church of the Brethren, cooking for large fellowship groups and summer camps, teaching Sunday school, and serving on various church committees. Katherine also gave of her time and talents to renovate the church sanctuary and for years covered the church alter with beautiful flower arrangements. She served on a committee for CROP to support hunger, cleaning up after tornado disasters and faithfully served the homeless weekly while in Kansas City. Partnering with George, she supported him in his career and accomplishments and was an anchor for the family through the years. She loved spending time with grandkids passing on family traditions, having long talks and being a great listener.
Together with her husband George, she served, taught, and loved people. She was a cheerful face, humble, selfless, faithful, always noticing those that needed encouragement and giving from her heart to set an example of Jesus. Her example and spirit lives on in all the lives that she touched. Katherine is survived by five daughters, Cindy Eisele of Overland Park, KS; Kim (Michael) Schneider of Champaign, IL; Kathleen (Brian) Howard, Leawood, KS; Sandra (Tony) Moeller of Overland Park, KS; Michelle Blakestad of Omaha, NE. And eleven grandchildren Connor (Mandy) Schneider, Derek Schneider, Tucker (Lauren) Howard, Justin Howard, Taylor Howard, Jake Moeller, Luke Moeller, Tess Moeller, Seth Blakestad, Alec Blakestad and Lizzie Blakestad.
A Celebration of Life for Katherine will be held on Saturday, July 10, 2021 at 2:00pm at the Church of the Resurrection, Overland Park, 8412 W. 95th St. Overland Park, KS 66212.