Katherine Anne (Hays) Bigler, 75, was born July 7, 1949 on her maternal grandparents farm northeast of Gaylord, Kansas, to Willis Dean Hays and Merna Lorraine (Roach) Hays and departed this earth on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Her fondest memory growing up was attending the United Methodist country church in Osborne County Kansas known as Mayflower. As a small child Kathy developed a love of reading that continued to her dying day. She always said reading was her escape from the cares and stresses of everyday life. The Gaylord Public Library was open on Saturday mornings and she rarely missed a visit during her early years in Gaylord. Her maternal grandmother, Lena Violet William Roach was very dear to her and the time spent with her until her death in 1992 was a precious memory for Kathy. Along with the loving memories she had for her paternal grandparents Ross and Kaitie Hays and her maternal grandfather Floyd Roach. As a child she also developed a love for animals that carried on through her life. Each of her pets that shared her life over the years were the recipients of much love.
Kathy graduated from Gaylord High School in 1967 and then Salina Brown Mackie School of Business. She was a public accountant for most of her working life and retired from Clubine and Rettele, Chartered in 2012. Professionally she was a past president of the Public Accountants Association of Kansas and a volunteer for the annual United Way fund drive.
The people most precious to Kathy were her family. She married Louis John Bigler on May 13, 1973. He was not only her spouse but he became her best friend and the love she had for him was never ending. Her last thoughts were of him and the happiness they had shared in making a home and raising a family. Likewise, her three children Jamie, Jessie, and Sean were her pride and joy. She was extremely proud of her daughter Jamie and how she became such a good mother. She was so proud of her daughter Jessie, her artistic ability, and her being the first in the immediate family to receive her college degree, doing so from Washburn University. In her heart her son Sean was promised to God on the day he was born. She had prayed for another son to help with the sadness of the previous miscarriage of Jon Louis Bigler in 1983. Sean grew to be a responsible young adult who graduated from Kansas State Salina of which his mom was very proud.
The love Kathy had for her grandchildren Joshua Lanahan, Kaitlynn Bigler, and Kylie Bigler was boundless. She enjoyed the time she spent with them. It was no secret that one held a very special place in her heart from the minute she was born. Kaitlynn Anne was an inspiration for her abundant happiness in everything about life, her enjoyment in the smallest of things, especially the times she spent with her grandmother.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Louis; two daughters, Jamie Lynn Bigler, Jessie Lee Bigler and husband Jacob Lanahan of Raliegh North Carolina; son, Sean Paul Bigler and wife Brandee of Salina; sister, Susan Marie Ruhnke and husband Jim of Junction City; and brother, Kevin Lyle Hays of Salina. She was preceded in death by a son, Jon Louis Bigler; parents, Willis Dean and Merna Lorraine Hays; maternal grandparents, Floyd and Lena Roach; and paternal grandparents, Kaitie and Ross Hays.
It is Kathy's wish you celebrate her life today as she goes to her final resting place. Her soul has gone to be with Jesus where she will be reunited with those who have gone before and she will wait for each of you. Her last wish is that you remember how much you were loved.
Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. with funeral services following at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, December 30, 2024 all at Ryan Mortuary. Burial will follow at Gypsum Hill Cemetery, Salina.
Memorials to Salina Animal Services or the Salina Rescue Mission.