Kathryn Frances Culbertson

Kathryn Frances (Lansdowne) Culbertson, 99, passed away December 11, 2017. The daughter of J.E. and Sophie Lansdowne, she was born on January 8, 1918 in Wichita, KS. She graduated from North High in 1935 and Wichita University in 1939. While in college, she was a member of Alpha Tau Sigma sorority and an active member of the drama department. She graduated cum laude with a B.A. in English and minors in Speech and French. While a student at W.U., she met the love of her life, Sherman Culbertson, Jr. After graduation, she worked as a librarian at the Wichita Public Library developing a lifelong love of language and literature. She married Sherman in 1940 and the two of them lived for brief periods of time on both the East and West coasts while he served in the FBI during the war. When the war ended, the Culbertsons returned to Wichita to rear their family. Kathryns talents and energy were devoted to her roles of wife and mother. Her family was her highest priority. While her daughters were in school, she served as room mother, PTA member, and Girl Scout leader. Family vacations in Colorado, golf outings, and ski adventures were highlights. Katy loved gardening, playing golf, skiing, hiking, and traveling. She was a talented flower arranger, savvy bridge player, avid reader, excellent cook, and she loved to dance. Throughout her life she continued to be involved with libraries and literacy. She served as a volunteer librarian at Plymouth Congregational Church and later founded the library at University Congregational Church. Her career as librarian and love of language came full circle in her later years when she volunteered at the Friends of the Public Library Used Bookstore and as a literacy advocate tutoring elementary school students. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Sherman; grand-daughter, Kristi Wiggins; and sister, Jerry Rathbone. She is survived by daughters, Pat Wiggins (Charles), Kathy Frieze (Jess); grandchildren, Mike Wiggins (Christine) of Grand Blanc, MI, Stephanie Sladic (Peter) of Bellevue, WA, Katie Frieze El Mehdaoui (Mohammed) of Nanterre, FR; and great-grandchildren, Alexandre, Thomas and Emilie Wiggins, and Jack, Wyatt and Liam Sladic. A private graveside service will be held. A memorial has been established in her name with the Wichita Public Library Foundation, 223 S. Main, Wichita, KS 67202. Downing & Lahey East Mortuary.