Vernon L. Katz

Vernon Lee Katz

Vernon Lee Katz was born May 11, 1923 on the family farm outside of Offerle, Kansas to Bessie Lee Daley-Katz and Christian Henry Katz. He was the third of three children. He was baptized and later confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church. He attended a country school in Hodgeman county through the sixth grade then attended school in Offerle from the seventh grade until graduating from high school in 1942. In 1943 he married Elaine Rabe. They had four children during their seventy-four year marriage. Lyle Katz of Kinsley, Kansas, Carole Matter of Beloit, Kansas, Jeana Padgham of Kinsley, Kansas, and Thane Katz of Mesquite, Texas. Vernon was inducted into the army in 1944. He was wounded at the invasion of Okinawa and was awarded a Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged and returned home and was a farmer. Vernon and his wife Elaine lived in Kinsley, Kansas in the home where she still lives. He was an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kinsley for many years as well as being a member of the Lions Club. He was well known in the community. Vernon never knew a stranger and loved spending time talking with friends and family. Vernon was preceded in death by a grandson Ashely J. Katz, his brother Cleo Katz, and sister Christine Lippoldt. He was a grandfather to six and a great grandfather to eleven. Funeral services are at 10:30am Tuesday December 19, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Kinsley burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Kinsley. Memorials may be given to the church or Hospice of the Prairie both in care of McKillip Memorial Funeral Home, Kinsley.