Katherine Mae Overfield Lear, of rural White Cloud, died February 26, 2020 at The Pines South in Hiawatha, Kansas.  

She was born to Verner and Rose (Gladhart) Overfield on May 3, 1923 on a farm in Irving Township, Brown County.   She graduated from Hiawatha High School in 1941 and then graduated from Highland College in 1943.  Katherine taught in several schools in Brown County before she married Carl Lear on September 7, 1947. They moved into their home on the Lear farm soon after and remained there until October 1996 when they moved to Hiawatha. 

Katherine was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Carl, and daughter-in-law Debra Lear.

Katherine was an active member of Mount Zion Methodist Church and then at Zion United Methodist Church.   She played piano, taught both children and adults, and loved her life on the farm.  Her column, “News from the Farm” ran in the Hiawatha Daily World for many years.  Her Christian faith was an integral part of her life.

Katherine is survived by her sister Marian Curtis of Eudora KS, sons Jim (wife Sheryl) and John Lear of rural White Cloud; Grandchildren Jessica Ezell (fiancé Jeremy Enns) Kansas City MO, Andrew Lear of Hiawatha, Anna Johnson (husband Jeremiah) of Lawrence KS, Caleb Lear of rural Horton and Tessa Lear (Derek Wilke) of Kansas City MO; great grandchildren Ruth and Ronen Johnson, and special step granddaughters Ashley and Samantha Rudder; Nieces and nephews Larry Curtis, Cynthia Petrehn, Bonnie Reetz, Jerry Bryan and Bea Pray; and numerous great nieces and nephews.  

Friends may call at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hiawatha after 12 noon Sunday. The family will meet with friends from 5 until 6:30 Sunday evening.

A Celebration of Katherine’s life is planned for 1 p.m. Monday, March 2, at Zion United Methodist Church, northeast of Robinson.  Pastor Darlene Sheffer will officiate.  Interment will follow at Olive Branch Cemetery, White Cloud.

Memorial contributions are suggested Wycliffe Bible Translators or Olive Branch Cemetery, sent in care of the funeral home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha 66434.

The family extends its appreciation to the Pines South for their many years of loving care to Katherine.
www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com