Katherine Marie (Birkby) Slover

Memorial services and interment will be held at a later date.

Katherine Marie Birkby Slover, age 62, most recently of Kansas City, MO passed from this life on January 25, 2011 at Hospice House of Kansas City with her brother and sister-in-law at her side.

Kathy was born on January 14, 1949 in Iowa City, Iowa. Kathy was the second of 5 children born to the Brothers family. Kathy joined her adoptive family in November of 1955 when she was in first grade. Her new family consisted of her parents James and Louella (Melton) Birkby and brother Larry of Tabor, Iowa. Kathy always considered them her true family.

Kathy lived most of her life in southern Iowa near Tabor where she grew up. At various times she lived in Independence, MO and spent the last six years of her life in Missouri and Kansas skilled care facilities.

Kathy was preceded in death by her husband Eldon Slover and her father James. She is survived by her mother Louella Birkby of Chillicothe MO; brother, Larry and sister-in-law Karen of Overland Park, KS; two nieces and their families. Stacy and Jon Bichelmeyer, J.T., Josh and Jack of Lake Quivira, KS; Beth and Duane Thompson, Sydney, Ella and Carter of Brookfield, MO. Also surviving are two aunts and two uncles and several cousins. Kathy is also survived by two sisters and a brother from her biological family. Leoma Haaland of Spence, IA; Julie Jene of Otis Orchards, WA; and Jeffery Jack of Keosauque, IA. Later in her life, Kathy became interested in her biological family and her family history. She made contact with several of her family members over the years.

One of Kathy’s first loves was music. She was introduced to music and piano lessons as a child. She developed her talent so that by 1963 she began playing the piano and later the organ for church and at times for funerals. She seemed to have a special touch with the organ and hymns. Kathy was also a Girl Scout and enjoyed scouting. She donated her Girl Scout uniform to the Tabor Historical Society.

Kathy had a great love of animals and enjoyed all the farm animals, large and small, when she was a child. As an adult she enjoyed having a dog for several years.

In addition, she developed an accomplished talent for handwork, especially crocheting. She made many afghans.

After graduation in 1967, from Fremont Mills High School, she entered LPN training at Iowa Western Community College in Clarinda, Iowa. In 1972 she graduated and began working at various nursing facilities until about 2000 when disability from an accident and Parkinson’s disease prevented her from working. Kathy was a compassionate nurse. She was a generous person and volunteered readily and was a good worker.

Kathy attended many church singles reunions and singles retreats. She easily made friends and was ready to assist others when she saw the need.

Visitation:Saturday, January 29, 2011
1:00 PM
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Service:Saturday, January 29, 2011
1:00 PM
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