Kathryn Kay Wilson

Kathryn Kay (Swenson) Wilson, a 54-year resident of Manhattan, Kan., died on September 13, 2025, in Traverse City, Mich., where she had lived since 2019. Kathryn, commonly called Kathy, was born on March 22, 1939, in Lyons, Kan., to Twylah M. (Mullen) and Walter G. Swenson. She is survived by Fred E. Wilson of Traverse City, Mich., her devoted husband of 64 years; Natalie D. Wilson of Cedar, Mich., her beloved only child; Olivia E. (Nave) Beachy of Athens, Ga. and Adam T. Nave of Kalamazoo, Mich., her treasured grandchildren; and nieces and nephews in Kansas. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, her stepfather Harold H. Sauers, an older sister Patricia R. (Swenson) Brothers, and younger brothers Robert R. Swenson and L. Eugene Swenson. Kathy graduated in 1957 from Lyons (Kan.) High School and in 1961 from The University of Kansas School of Nursing. While still in high school, Kathy appeared as an extra in the Academy Award-winning movie Picnic filmed on location at nearby Sterling Lake. Nine days after receiving her bachelor’s degree in nursing, the smitten former starlet married Fred in Lyons. They spent their honeymoon en route to Pullman, Wash., where Fred had been accepted for graduate study at Washington State University. Soon after arriving in Pullman, Kathy passed state board examinations and became licensed to practice as a registered nurse. Her nursing career spanned 38 years, during which time she worked as a staff nurse at St. Ignatius Hospital in Colfax, Wash., a surgical nurse at Gritman Memorial Hospital in Moscow, Idaho, and a board-certified inpatient obstetrical nurse at the then Memorial Hospital in Manhattan. Kathy was a charter member, and served as first president, of District 18 of the Kansas State Nurses Association. Kathy was a former member of Beta Sigma Phi, Konza Prairie Quilters’ Guild, Kansas State University Social Club, and First Baptist Church, where she served in multiple capacities and sang in its chancel choir. The engaging smile that Kathy projected from the choir loft endeared her to worshippers and encouraged and lifted their spirits. After serving as president of local and regional American Baptist Women organizations, Kathy combined her leadership and professional skills and conducted for American Baptist Churches of the Central Region a yearlong fund-raising effort in support of health care services for sub-Saharan women afflicted with obstetric fistula. Attracted by its ministry of music, Kathy joined First Presbyterian Church in 2015. As a member of its choir, Kathy shared both her joy of singing and her sweet, infectious smile. Kathy was an avid reader and enjoyed traveling, bridge, the performing arts, and needlecrafts. She knitted socks and sweaters, for family members and herself, from yarn that she had purchased while vacationing in Maine, Scotland, and the Falkland Islands. She also sewed quilts, crocheted baby blankets, and embroidered tea towels that are treasured by her family members. Most recently, she enjoyed making monogrammed placemats for fellow residents of Independence Village in Traverse City. No longer wracked by the pain and challenges of multiple chronic health issues, Kathy now rests in peace. Her body was cremated; her ashes will be commingled with Fred’s after his passing and interred in the Wilson family plot at Johnson County Memorial Gardens in Overland Park, Kan. A private gathering to celebrate Kathy’s life will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial donations to the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (memo: Senior Center Fund) may be sent to GMCF, 555 Poyntz Ave #269, Manhattan, KS 66502.

Kathryn Kay Wilson

March 22, 1939 - September 13, 2025