Kathy Ellwein
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Kathy Ellwein, 66, of Kansas City, KS., passed away on January 11, 2019, at Shawnee Mission Medical Center after a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am Monday, January 21, 2019, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 5601 W. 62nd St., Mission, KS. Visitation will be held 6:00 – 8:00 pm, January 20, 2019, also at Trinity Lutheran Church.
Kathy was born June 22, 1952, to Gerhardt & Edna (Anderson) Ellwein. She attended Sioux City schools, graduating from Central High School in 1970. She then attended Freeman Junior College before graduating from The University of South Dakota at Springfield with a BS in Education in 1975.
Kathy taught for one year in Georgia before moving to Larned, KS to teach in 1977. In 1983, she added a degree in Social Work from Kansas State, and worked in Hays, Kansas for several years. In 1988, she moved to Kansas City, working for the Wyandotte County Developmental Disability Services. She began her career as a school bus driver in 1985, driving for several companies, until her death. Kathy enjoyed working with kids, and was especially good with kids with disabilities.
Kathy enjoyed art work: drawing, coloring, and creating stained glass pieces. She was an active volunteer in several organizations, some of which include: Trinity Lutheran Church; Johnson County NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness); Blessings Abound; Fibromyalgia support groups; TOPS; and was deeply involved in genealogical research, being active in the Shawnee German-American Club, and the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia. She participated each year in the school bus Road-eo, a driving competition for bus drivers. Kathy’s other great loves were her two cats, Gracie and Jiggs.
Kathy is survived by a brother, Steve (Rita) Ellwein of Sioux City, IA; two nephews, Jared (Stephanie) Ellwein of Papillion, NE; and Jesse Ellwein (Heath Shealy) of Tucson, AZ.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Blessings Abound in Kansas City.
I am so sorry to hear Kathy passed away. I worked with her for 11 years. She was the kindest person I have ever met. She really had a struggle with her cancer and I am glad she is in heaven and not suffering anymore. I will truly miss her and I will be praying for you and your family.
We in the Tops group that knew Kathy were so sorry to learn of her passing. She had struggled so long with her illnesses.
She was a unique lady, so witty and one of the school district’s best school bus drivers. We mourn her loss & give sympathy & prayers to her brother, Steve Ellwein, and the rest of her family. She will be missed!
To the family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. It was great working with Kathy at First Student. She was a great bus driver and friend. I’m so glad that our paths crossed.
Kathy’s RootMagic Genealogical Special Interest Group send their prayers and condolences to Her family. She was a big help and active participant in our group, and will be missed.
Kathy and I worked together at the bus companies for several years. She and I shared a love for cats. Kathy will be greatly missed by many people as she touched so many lives with her great love and kindness!