Katherine Fay Ragland

Katherine Fay Ragland, 70, of Ottawa, passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2020, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Saint Louis, Missouri. Private graveside services will be held at Meriden Cemetery, Meriden, Kansas. A celebration of Katherine’s life will be held at a later date after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Katherine was born September 4, 1949, in Topeka, Kansas, the daughter of William Donald and Leota Fay (Becker) Martin. She lived in Ottawa since 2015, moving here from Peabody, Kansas where she lived for ten years. Katherine also lived in Pretty Prairie and Paradise, Kansas growing up in rural Meriden, Kansas. Katherine graduated from Meriden High School with the class of 1967. She received her diploma from Baker University Stormont-Vail School of Nursing and graduated from Wichita State University in 1975 earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Katherine was united in marriage to David Ragland on January 3, 1976 at Valley Falls, Kansas. He survives of the home. Other survivors include two children, Leah Bengfort and husband Tim of Gardner, and Jeremy Ragland and wife Tanesha of Shawnee; brother, Edwin Martin and wife Brenda of Wamego; two sisters, Phyllis Gish and husband David of Topeka, and Ruth Wood and husband Roger of Meriden; two grandchildren, Lucas and Owen Bengfort of Gardner; and many nieces and nephews. Katherine was preceded in death by her parents. She was a registered nurse for 40 years of her life working at many locations in Kansas and was a member of the Williamsburg United Methodist Church and United Methodist Women. Katherine’s faith and church family were a big part of her life. She enjoyed walking, arts and crafts, crocheting and traveling. Her greatest love was spending time with her family, especially her children and grandchildren. The family suggests memorial contributions to Baker University School of Nursing c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.