Kathryn Sloan Ashby

February 3, 1924 - July 10, 2017

Kathryn Margaret Sloan Ashby was born to Charles Porter (Port) and Lillian Josephine Stiefer Sloan in Geneva, Nebraska on February 3, 1924 and passed away at Bryan Memorial Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska on July 10, 2017 at the age of 93 years, 5 months and 7 days. She was the third of four children in the family. Kathryn attended Geneva Public School, graduating as valedictorian of the Class of 1941. While in high school, she performed in several one act and class plays as well as being a member of the speech team, competing in extemporaneous speaking, original oratory, interpretive poetry and after dinner speaking. She was also a member of the debate team, winning the district debate tournament in her sophomore and senior years. After high school, she attended the University of Nebraska for two years on a Regents Scholarship, majoring in political science. During the summers, she worked as a life guard and pool manager for the Geneva City Pool. It was while she was working at the pool that she met Johnny Long, who was stationed at the Fairmont Army Air Base. They were married in September 1943, and moved to Tucson, Arizona where they lived until they divorced in 1954. Kathryn moved back to Geneva in 1956, where she worked as a secretary for Hugh Wilkins in the Geneva Insurance Agency. It was during this time that she re-connected with Sherman Ashby of Fairmont, Nebraska whom she had met while still in high school. They were married on May 16, 1958 in Chicago, Illinois. To them were born two daughters, Catherine Elizabeth (Kitsy) and Carol Frances. When her girls joined Girl Scouts, Kathryn became a Girl Scout leader, as well as Neighborhood Chairman, Neighborhood Cookie Chairman and serving a term as Secretary for Homestead Girl Scout Council. Kathryn 's involvement in the community continued when she joined the Geneva Library Board of Trustees in July of 1965, becoming president in July 1974, a position she held until January 2009. She also served one term on the Southeast Library System Board. In 1967, Kathryn was appointed pageant coordinator for Nebraska's Centennial Observance. She was a charter member of the Fillmore County Hospital Auxiliary, a member of Madre Kensington, Book Review and a member of the Geneva chapter of the Federated Women's Club for 50 years. Kathryn was a third generation member of PEO, Chapter O, Geneva, and received her 75 year membership pin in April 2017. She was a charter member of the Fillmore County Historical Society when it was established in 1966, and remained an active member for 40 years. Despite her many obligations, she attended all her children's activities from piano and dance recitals to basketball and track meets, speech meets and play productions. That dedication to her family continued with her grandchildren, and Kathryn spent much time on the road attending sports events and dance recitals for Kitsy's children in Plattsmouth, and sports events, dance recitals, and one act, music and band performances for Carol's girls. Kathryn enjoyed traveling, whether it was a trip to Girard, Kansas, Denver, Colorado or Thompson, Illinois to see family, or trips to Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone National Park, and Disneyland with Sherm and the girls. She and Sherm travelled to somewhere warm for a few weeks every winter, often joined by Louie and Beulah Issler, Charlie and Dorothy Allgood, or Claiton and Evelyn Lauber. After Sherm's death, she travelled extensively with Jean Lovegrove throughout the US and overseas. She loved sewing, reading and watching old movies, and was known to borrow Carol's books before Carol had a chance to read them. She was an avid bridge player, playing in a monthly bridge group for 40 years, as well as playing Monday afternoon bridge with her sister-in-law Jean Ashby, and friends Mildred Farmer, and Bonnie Grattop. These were serious games, as there was money on the line.....top winnings could be as much as $3.00! She played marathon bridge, and couples bridge one Sunday night a month with a wonderful group of friends. In January 2010, following an extended illness, Kathryn moved to Heritage Crossings Nursing facility. She made many friends among the residents and staff, and received excellent care there. Her move did not slow down her activities greatly, as she still played bridge, bingo, and read as much as she had before, as well as attending band, music and one act performances to watch her youngest granddaughter, Melissa. She was able to attend grandson Matt's wedding to Samantha Lester in Lincoln in 2015. The most recent highlight for Kathryn was the much anticipated birth of her first great-grandchild, Walter. Kathryn loved her dark chocolate, whether it was a dark chocolate brownie sundae, a Bakers chocolate or a purple wrapped chocolate Kiss, she wouldn't turn you down if you offered her one. She enjoyed going to Jim and Janice Ashby's home for holidays, as well as attending holiday meals with the Rosenquist family. She looked forward to weekly car rides, to see what had been going on in Geneva since the week before. These rides ended when Kathryn fell and broke her pelvis on May 23, 2017. She fought courageously to come back from the fall, but it was not to be. She passed away from complications of the fall. She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles "Porter"and Lillian Sloan; husband Sherman Ashby; brothers Frank "Blaine" Sloan and wife Patricia, and Charles John Sloan; sister Lillian Marie Sloan; brother-in-law Dr. Charles Ashby. She is survived by her daughters, Kitsy Hagge and husband Rick of Plattsmouth, Nebraska and Carol Rosenquist and husband Lee of Geneva; grandchildren Nathan Hagge, Matthew Hagge and wife Samantha, Emily Hagge, all of Omaha, Nicki Rosenquist and fiancé Danny Layher of Las Vegas, Nevada, and Melissa Rosenquist of Geneva; great-grandson Walter Hagge of Omaha; sister-in-law Jean Ashby of Geneva; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends. A Funeral Mass for Kathryn was held on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Geneva, Nebraska. A Rosary was prayed at 1:00 p.m. at the Church prior to the Mass. Father Scott Courtney officiated the services. Charlotte Bumgarner accompanied the congregation in the singing of “Amazing Grace” and “Nearer My Got To Thee.” She also accompanied Karen Eisenauer in the singing of “On Eagles’ Wings.” Karl Brinkman played guitar and sang “The Lord’s Praryer.” Pallbearers for the service included Nathan Hagge, Matthew Hagge, Emily Hagge, Nicole Rosenquist, Melissa Rosenquist, Jim Ashby, Charlie Ashby, and Tony Sawtell. Kathryn was cremated following the Funeral Mass and her cremains will be interred in the Geneva Public Cemetery at a later date. Farmer & Son Funeral Home conducted the services and online condolences may be left at www.farmerandsonfuneralhome.com Memorials are suggested to the Geneva Public Library or the Fillmore County Historical Society.