Kathleen J (Katie) Leikam, 88, of Salina, passed away Wednesday, August 28th, at Salina Regional Health Center.
Katie was born in Marysville, Kansas on June 12, 1925, to the late Mabel R (Cooper) and Henry A Marquardt.
She worked as a telephone service assistant for Southwestern Bell Telephone. She retired after 23 years of service. Katie worked in offices in Hays, Salina, Concordia, and Wichita. Following her retirement, she worked as a cashier at St. John’s Hospital for 17 years, until her retirement. Then she worked for Market Aid in Salina.
Katie was a member of the Southwestern Bell Telephone Pioneers. She loved gardening and took great pride in her flowers. Katie will be remembered for her loving commitment to her family, and her deep devotion to her many friends. Her energetic spirit will be missed by all.
She was the widow of Joseph L Leikam. They were married in 1941 in Marysville, Kansas.
Katie is survived by her companion, Don Blaker, of Topeka, Kansas; daughters, Jean Koerner, of Hays, Kansas and Kathy J Creighton and companion Dennis Hackett, of Stockton, Kansas; sons Don Leikam, of Hays, Kansas; Joe (Barbara) Leikam, of Hays, Kansas; and Bill Leikam and companion Jaci Gottchalk, of Hays, Kansas; sisters, Maxine Farrell, of Beatrice, Nebraska, Marilyn Anderson, of Blue Springs, Missouri, and Joan Rossetti, of Wheatridge, Colorado; brothers, Don (Mary Lou) Marquardt, of Marysville, Kansas; Gary (MaryAnn) Marquardt, of Kansas City, Kansas, and Roger Marquardt, of Kansas City, Kansas; as well as grandchildren, Kim (Jeff) Dechant, of Hays, Sandy (David) Linenberger, of Salina, Jackie (Chad) Ruder, of Hays, Lori (Rod) Lebert, of Douglas, Wyoming, Leah (Chris) Rhoades, of Hays, Shelly (Albert) Gonzalez, of Theresa, New York, McKenzie (Emery) Myers, of Salina, Joe Leikam,III , of Salina, Bill (Katie) Leikam, of Victoria, Kansas, Mike (Kelly) Leikam, of Gypsum, Colorado, Jason (Rebecca) Creighton, of Stockton, Kansas, Justin (Fielzah) Creighton, of Stockton, Kansas ; 32 great-grandchildren, several great-great-grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Joseph Leikam, sisters Evelyn Schmidt, Helen Scott; son-in-law Arlen F. Koerner, daughter-in-law Shirley Leikam; grandson Brent Leikam; great-granddaughter Jannah Creighton; great-grandson Bryden Leikam.
Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home, Salina. Family will greet friends from 6-8.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 31, 2013 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Hays, Kansas, with Fr. Charles Awotwi, officiating. A Rosary and viewing will be held at the church at 9:30. Interment will follow the mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery.