Born at the height of the depression in Marion, Kansas on December 15, 1934, Kathleen R. Blew Zimmerman (née Peterson) was one of six children born to George L. and Ilene F. Peterson (née Burgess). Kathleen peacefully entered the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 26, 2022.
Kathleen was a member of St. Peter’s United Church of Christ of Inman where she married Ross Blew in 1955. She later married Dale Zimmerman in 1979 in Nevada, both deceased.
A lifetime resident of the Inman and Hutchinson area, Kathleen attended Hopewell, a one room country schoolhouse in Rice County, through the eighth grade and graduated from Inman High School in 1953. In the 1960’s Kathleen and Ross enjoyed square dancing on weekends with the Lads and Plaids. Over the years Kathleen became an avid bowler and never let it be forgotten she hit a score of 200 on three occasions! Kathleen’s family was involved in 4-H and she became a cooking leader with 4-H. She assisted Verna Hofmeier in making home cooked meals at Countryside Elementary School and after 20 Years with Central Bank and Trust retired in 1996. Kathleen served on the Sunday School Board, the Church Board as the financial secretary, and served with amazing women in the Women’s Fellowship at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ.
Kathleen is survived by her three children: Curt Blew, Inman; Pamela Scholze, Los Angeles; Ken (Cindy) Blew, Wamego; and six grandchildren: Cami Blew, Atlanta; Ryan (Paige) Blew, Inman; Christina Scholze and Caroline Scholze, Los Angeles; Tyra Blew, Orlando; Taren (Shane) Neel, Wamego; and four great grandchildren: Ryder and Ellison Blew, Maya and Chloe Neel. She is survived by her dearly cherished sisters, Marcelyn Wittorff, and Phyllis Knackstedt, both of Inman; Stepchildren: Carolyn Pauls, Teresa Boykin, Steve Zimmerman and Julie Davis-Windler.
Kathleen was preceded in death by: her parents; brothers, LeRoy, Kenneth and Jim Peterson; brothers-in-law, Arnold Wittorff and Gene Allen Knackstedt, son-in-law, Alfred Scholze; grandson, Christopher Blew; as well as her close and dearly loved sisters-in-law, Maxine Hutton, LoRee Blew, Audrey Peterson and Elaine Peterson. A testament to the strong and loving women connected by the Peterson/Blew union.
Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 1, 2022, at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 111 N. Pine St., Inman. Burial will follow in North Inman Cemetery. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary. The family will greet friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Inman.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, Inman or Hospice House, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.
The family wishes to thank all the Hospice House employees and volunteers for the loving care provided to Kathleen.
Now that Kathleen is no longer with us, let us continue her legacy in honor of the life she lived.