Beatrice J (Basgall) Coats

Beatrice J. "Bea" Coats, 85, died April 15, 2015 at Catholic Care Center in Wichita.   Bea was born June 3, 1929 in Dodge City, Kansas to Joe and Dorothy Moore Basgall.   She married Gordon L. Coats on August 19, 1950 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Offerle.  She was a lifetime resident of Kinsley until moving to Wichita in 2013.   Bea was a member of St. Nicholas Catholic Church and was very involved in the parish and with St. Nicholas Catholic School.  Bea played the organ for Sunday Mass for more than 50 years.  Receiving her B.A. in Music from Marymount College in Salina, Bea loved all things related to music and especially piano music.  Over the years, Bea taught dozens of Kinsley children to play the piano and perform at local and state recitals.   While Bea focused on raising her four children and on teaching music to others, she also had a keen interest in politics, good political processes, and public service in general.   She was a Kinsley City Commissioner and the first woman mayor of the city.   Bea also served as Edwards County Clerk.  Those who knew Bea, knew she was energized by being involved in helping to improve the community and was not afraid to roll her sleeves up to help get things done!   Survivors include her husband Gordon and four daughters: Leslie Coats of Paola, Jennifer Martino of N. Kansas City, Mo, Shannon Barnes of Valley Center,  and Stacy Kohlmeier of Manhattan, and six grandchildren: Ian Barnes, Caleb Barnes, Darrah Barnes Hodge, Emma Martino, Grant Kohlmeier, and Drew Kohlmeier, and three great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Basgall.  Vigil will be held on Sunday at 7:00 p. m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church in Kinsley.   The funeral service will be held at 10:30 a. m. also at St. Nicholas with Father John Strasser presiding.   Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery following the funeral service.   Memorials may be made to the St. Nicholas Catholic Church Music Fund, St. Nicholas Catholic Church, 706 E. 6th St., Kinsley, KS 67547.