Kathleen Sheldon

Kathleen “Kathy” Sheldon, 76, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Monday, March 25, 2024, at her home surrounded by her loving family.

Cremation is planned with a Celebration of Life to be scheduled.

Kathy was born Tuesday, September 9, 1947, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the daughter of Charles Joseph and Mary Kathryn (Barker) Kavanaugh.

Kathy grew up & graduated from Valley Falls High School, Valley Falls, Kansas, with the class of 1965. She was active in all school activities & was selected as Home Coming Queen her senior year. She attended Washburn University from 1965-1967 where she was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, and graduated from Emporia State University in 1969, receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education.

She was united in marriage on June 28, 1969, in Valley Falls, Kansas, to Richard L. “Dick” Sheldon. They were high school sweethearts & happily married for 54 years and 9 months. He survives of the home.

Kathy retired from Mobile Oil Credit Corp in Kansas City, Missouri, after 24 years and worked with Dick at their business, Sheldon Suburban Equipment Company in Olathe, Kansas until 1999.

She was a member of P.E.O. International for fifty-four years, most recently with the HL Chapter in Olathe. She was also a member of the First United Methodist Church of Baldwin City, Kansas.

She and Dick moved to Olathe after getting married in 1969 and built a home in Overland Park in 1985 where they lived until moving to a farm in rural Ottawa in 2000.

In high school & college Kathy loved swimming. She taught swimming lessons at the city pool in Valley Falls and was a member of the Dolphin Swim Club while attending Washburn University. After retiring she loved spending time with her family and friends, especially her four grandchildren. She was a friend to all she met and had an infectious laugh that put a smile on those around her.

She was preceded in death by her parents Charles and Mary Kay; and brother Giles Joseph Kavanaugh.

Along with her husband Dick, survivors include son Clay Sheldon of Ottawa, Kansas, daughter Ann Brown (Greg) of Edgerton, Kansas; sister-in-law Peach Kavanaugh of Yorktown, Virginia; four grandchildren Payton Henes (Philip), Regan Sheldon, James Sheldon and Mack Brown.

In lieu of flowers Kathy was a proud supporter of Tunnel to Towers and Wounded Warriors if you wish to donate in her name.

Please reach out to Ann Brown if you would like to be notified when the Celebration of Life for Kathy will be scheduled by either email at Aesb.7710@gmail.com or text at 913-207-0046 tentatively scheduled for May.