Kathryn Louise Christman

Kathryn Louise (Milner) Christman received her angel wings at 1:30 a.m., January 10, 2018.

She peacefully passed with her immediate family surrounding her. Kathryn was happily married to John A. Christman for 44 years and is survived by him as well as their four children: Carrie Bradow (Christian), Joan Speicher (Jill), John H. Christman (Isabelle), and Emily Rohman (Brad); her three grandchildren Hannah and Jacob Bradow and Mia Christman; her sisters Judy Wolfson, Caroline Patricia McCallister, Sharon Obert, and Charlene Ziegler. Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents Henry and Mary Lou Milner and her brother Henry Vance Milner.

Kathryn “Kathy” was a born caregiver, and along with her four biological children, she inherited many non biological children along the way who always called her “Mom C”. As a genuine and thoughtful individual, there was no stranger when in Kathy’s presence. She loved deeply, whether it was thoughtfully sending cards and letters for birthdays, thank yous, or just because, to making nightly dinner for her family, Kathy always thought of making others feel included. Kathy was a natural and sincere lady that always led her life with kindness. She closely illustrated the model of trusting God, trusting love and trusting each other.

Kathryn (affectionately called “Kade”) first encountered cancer in September 2010. She continued to fight valiantly for over seven years, and in those times she endured chemotherapy, radiation, and two clinical trials, never once complaining about the pain that she was going through – she thought of it as a labor of love to continue to be with her family. #teamkade was organized and Kathy started showing up at Ovarian Cancer run/walks and has been a constant in helping spread awareness and support for those fighting this horrible disease.

A Celebration and Memorial Service will be held Saturday, January 27 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (4092 Blow Street, St. Louis, MO 63116), 11:00 a.m. The church doors will open at 10:00 a.m. for a chance to visit with the family before the service. A reception will follow at the IHM parish hall. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please send donations in the name of #teamkade to St. Louis Ovarian Cancer Association (SLOCA) 12015 Manchester Rd. Suite 130; St. Louis, MO 63131 or you can go to the following link: https://www.classy.org/checkout/donation?eid=107597

The following is a poem composed by Kathy’s children to describe the bravery of their mom:

While she fought through….

 

She supported and guided her children (biological and nonbiological) while she fought through.

She continued to have her aim worsen (sorry Mom, you cannot throw) while she fought through.

She continued to strengthen her marriage, while she fought through.

She attended five ovarian cancer walks, while she fought through.

She guided countless other “sisters” through the chemotherapy process, while she fought through.

She saw a granddaughter graduate from high school, while she fought through.

She celebrated her 60th birthday, (and many others) whlle she fought through.

She saw her daughter get her bachelor, and master’s degree, (all the while she was standing and waving frantically in the crowds) while her fought through.

She witnessed the weddings of all of her children, three of which, while she fought through.

She met our newest family additions, while she fought through.

She saw her grandson grow into a wonderful young gentleman who can take on the world, while she fought through.

She witnessed the birth of her newest grand daughter, while she fought through.

She witnessed one of the all time greatest wedding proposals (debatable by other siblings) while she fought through.

She celebrated 8 more anniversaries of her and Dad’s wedding, while she fought through.

She celebrated being proposed to 45 years ago, while she fought through.

She watched countless episodes of Days of Our Lives and Ellen while she fought through.

She yelled at Minnie barking, while she fought through.

She asked if Sasha the fish was fed, daily, while she fought through.

She gave her children roots and wings, while she fought through.

She brought more joy to every holiday, while she fought through.

She went through 2 clinical trials, leading research to help others with Ovarian Cancer while she fought through.

She went through radiation, and rang the bell (as we happy danced) while she fought through.

She endured YEARS of chemotherapy, as she fought through (She never once failed us) as she fought through.

She had scary hospital times, that brought family together, while she fought through.

She deepened the faith of those around her, while she fought through.

Her faith deepened, as she fought through, always unfailing in her path while she fought through.

She traveled West with Dad, while she fought through.

She went into official hot air balloon pilot areas, got a pilot’s *only* shirt, and was able to view the Great Balloon Fiesta in New Mexico, while she fought through.

She lost her hair three times, while she fought through.

She gave dad a disastrous haircut, while she fought through.

She crafted for weddings, showers, and holidays, while she fought through.

She spent several weekends with her sisters and vacationed with them in Las Vegas, strengthening their bonds, while she fought through.

She spent hours in her blue chair, greeting family and friends. making sure they felt loved, while she fought through.

She made meals, prayed, and sent cards/letters to others who were suffering, while she fought through.

She gave millions of hugs, thousands of kisses, and hundreds of “I love you”s, while she fought through.

Cancer didn’t win for Kade; Love did. Love was the constant, while she fought through.

We love you, Kathryn Louise Christman!
We will always be #teamkade

5 Comments

  1. Elvia Morales on January 12, 2018 at 9:00 pm

    I’m sorry for your loss Big John . My heart hurts for you and your family .



  2. Jody Christman on January 12, 2018 at 10:56 pm

    John and family, my sincerest condolences and prayers for peace in all of your hearts during this great loss. What a beautiful soul who is now singing with the angels in paradise. May you find comfort in your hearts knowing how much Kathy was loved and admired in her long fight.



  3. Tim Hennemann on January 14, 2018 at 4:11 pm

    My condolences to Uncle John and family.

    Aunt Kathy was one of the most beautiful souls I’ve encountered in my life. I have great childhood memories of her from the time our two families spent together. She always had a smile and had a way about her that made a somewhat shy and anxious child like me feel at ease.

    In 2011, she made the trip to Pennsylvania for my wedding; something that meant the world to me considering what she had been through at that point.

    Rest In Peace, Aunt Kathy. You will continue to be loved even though you’ve left this world.



  4. Betty Rupi Heine on January 17, 2018 at 10:32 am

    I am so sorry for you and your families loss. Kathy was so special to me when we meet at Roosevelt and became great friends who I had the honor of being in your wedding. Yes, heaven did gain a wonderful angel in Kathy. Sorry we didn’t keep in touch but I will always treasure my memories with getting the honor of bmy wonderful friend. Deepest Sympathy and prays to you and your family John.



  5. kathy luck on January 20, 2018 at 11:18 am

    love and prayers to you all i know you wil love and miss her. her struggle has been long and sometimes painful,through it all her faith prevailed. god bless her soul. kathy lucki



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