Kathleen (McKune) Newton, 61, of Russell, Kansas, left us peacefully and joined her husband and lifelong love, Ramon “Ray”, on Monday, March 26, 2018, at her daughter’s home in Piedmont, Oklahoma.  She was surrounded by her loving family.

Kathleen  was  born on  January  13, 1957 in Hutchinson, Kansas, to Robert M and Gladys (Hicks) McKune Hatfield. As a young girl and throughout her life, Kathleen’s deep and abiding family values were always present. She was often the one who provided the bond that kept the family rooted together. Her siblings described her as “always there, always present in life”. If you were down, she brought you up; whatever you needed, she would fill the void.

After graduating from Russell High School, Kathleen met Ray.  It didn’t take long to discover they were soul mates and destined for everlasting love.  They shared a joy for music and community involvement. After Ray passed away, Kathleen’s generous spirit continued.

Kathleen was a loving wife and proud mother of three wonderful children – Christopher, Joshua, and Sarah. For most of their children’s lives Kathleen was a stay-at-home mom. She was an incredible seamstress and home cook, and seized every opportunity to instill her love and family values into her children. With her children growing into adulthood, Kathleen started volunteering at the Assembly of God church and then hired on as a part-time secretary. She transitioned to a full-time position at the Lutheran Church for the following 8 years. For the last 15 years Kathleen was employed at Southwind Bank as a loan processor, and was recently promoted to Assistant Vice President.

Grandma Kat, as she liked to be called, was blessed with six beloved and adoring grandchildren – Landen, Avery, Kylie, Paxton, Braedyn, and Caylee. Her love for her grandkids was present in all that she did. Her favorite time of year was Summer when she would host the grandkids for an entire week. She was always engaged with them, playing with them, being with them – making sure that each one of them knew they were deeply loved and a special part of her life.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her husband Ray Newton, her father Robert M. McKune, and her brother Michael McKune. She is greatly missed by her mother Gladys (Hicks) McKune Hatfield; her three beloved children Christopher, Joshua (Kristan), and Sarah (D.J.) Gregory; and her grandchildren Landen Newton, Avery Newton, Kylie Newton, Paxton Newton, Braedyn Gregory, and Caylee Gregory. She is also dearly missed by her siblings David (Kathleen) McKune, Deborah McKune, Kevin (Rose) McKune, and Steven McKune; Nephews Austin, Zachary, Alex, and Jeffrey; Nieces Carolyn and Jaqueline.

Celebration of Kathleen’s life will be held at ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­11 A.M. on Monday, April 02, 2018, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Russell, KS. A private family inurnment will be at Russell City Cemetery.  Lunch will be served at the Trinity Church Fellowship Hall immediately following the church funeral services.  Memorial donations may be made to Kansas City Hospice or Integris Hospice of Oklahoma.  Contributions and condolences may be sent to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these arrangements.