Katherine Mary Harding

Katherine Mary Harding, 92, Topeka, formerly of Drury Place, died Sunday May 22, 2011 at Winter Meadow Homes.

She was born February 4, 1919, in Seneca, KS the daughter of Albert A. Schrempp and Anna Agatha (Kuehle) Schrempp.

In March 1979 Mrs. Harding retired from Farmers Home Administration, USDA in Topeka after 30 years service.  Previously she had worked five years each at Blue Cross-Blue Shield and Topeka Steam and Boiler Works Company.

Katherine graduated from Topeka Catholic High School in 1936 and attended Clark’s Secretarial School.

She was a member of Mater Dei Assumption Catholic Church, also NARFE Chapter Two, the American Legion Auxiliary, Post #400, AARP and the American Diabetes Association.

Katherine was married to Henry W. Harding March 3, 1979.  He died August 29, 1992.  She was also preceded in death by her previous husband, Galen Powell, who died December 12, 1976, and their daughter, Helen Louise Powell, who died October 16, 1971 at the age of 16, a son, Harry A. Reece who died August 27, 2004, a brother Donald J. Schrempp who died June 1964.  Her marriage to Harry E. Reece of Coushatta, LA, ended in divorce in 1950. 

She is survived by a son Jerry J. Reece and his wife Louise of Berryton, a daughter Mary Kay (Reece) Pape of Cincinnati, OH, a brother Albert F. Schrempp and his wife Eloise of Oklahoma City, OK, stepsons Bill Powell of Orem, UT and Larry Powell of Rogers, AK, grandchildren  Mindee Reece and Jenny Tryon both of Topeka, Jerry Reece II of Webb City, MO, James Reece of Jackson, CA, Jeff Reece of Wichita, Tammy Palmer of Milford, OH and Brian Pape of Ohio, along with many great grandchildren and two great-great granddaughters.

Katherine will lie in state after 4:00 p.m. Friday at Mater Dei Assumption Catholic Church where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. with a parish rosary prayed at 6:30 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at the Church.  Interment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

The family suggests contributions to the American Diabetes Association or Topeka Grace Hospice sent in care of Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603