Vida "Katie" Clothier

SOUTH HUTCHINSON - Vida Katherine “Katie” Clothier, 87, died Thursday, February 3, 2011 at Hospice House, Hutchinson. Born December 26, 1923 at Kinsley to Delbert and Vera Bland Clothier, she was one of 7 children. She was a former resident of Wichita, Stafford, and Mennonite Manor, Hutchinson.
Since her father was a minister for the church of Christ, she lived in many towns in Kansas and Arkansas. She graduated from Wichita East High School, Emporia State Teacher’s College and received her Master’s Degree from WSU. During WWII, she was a “Rosie the Riveter”, working on aircraft at Boeing in Wichita.
Katie taught school for 38 years, beginning in Scott City, Kansas and retired from Wells Elementary in Wichita.
Katie’s life was devoted to teaching children in grade school and in Bible classes. She also touched thousands of lives through her correspondence and teaching others about Jesus Christ through the World Bible School, which she taught for 25 years.
Katie is survived by: brother-in-laws Wilbur Kinnamon, Sylvia and Doyle Rottmayer, Los Alamos, NM. Nephews: Jerry and Kay Kinnamon, St. John; Phil and Tricia Guinn, Ponca City, OK; Mark Clothier Indianapolis, ID; Tommy Clothier, West Virginia. Nieces: Carol and Bob Stratton, Sylvia; Gay and Dwain Farley, Los Alamos, NM; Terry Jo Thompson, Lawrence. She is also survived by great nieces and nephews: Kurt and Cindy Kinnamon, McPherson; Clint and Tara Kinnamon, St. John; Whitney Guinn, Ponca City, OK, Spencer Guinn, Oklahoma City, OK, Melissa and Travis Brown, Los Alamos, NM; and many great-great nieces and nephews. She will also be missed by a special teacher friend, Peggy Miller, who cared for her in the Wheaton House, Mennonite Manor. She was preceded in death by her parents and her 6 siblings: sisters: Eunice, Dessie, Geraldine, and Betty; brothers: Austin and Willard.
A celebration of Katie’s Life will be Wednesday, February 9, 10:00 a.m. at Minnis Chapel, Stafford with Richard Foster presiding. Katie has requested that her body be donated to the KU Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice House, Hutchinson in care of the chapel.