Kathleen Ann Bledsoe

Kathleen Ann Bledsoe, affectionately known to so many as “Grandma Kathy”, passed away on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 at Hanover Hospital in Hanover, Kansas, at the age of 82.

Kathy was born on January 29, 1944 to Delphos and Amanda Ouellette. She grew up on a farm outside of Linn, Kansas, where she attended school and graduated from Linn High School.

On December 4, 1971, Kathleen married Milton Bledsoe. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter and family. They raised five children and shared nearly 48 years of marriage before Milton’s passing on February 15, 2019.

Throughout her life, Kathleen held a variety of jobs, including cooking at the local nursing home, and Friendly Corners, as well as working at the grocery store and dentist’s office. She and Milton also enjoyed coaching local recreational sports teams, giving their time to the children and families of their community.

Kathleen knew how to enjoy life. She loved playing bingo, cheering on the Kansas City Royals and Kansas State Wildcats, and making trips to the casino, where she always seemed to have a little extra luck on her side. She was a talented seamstress who enjoyed cross-stitching, crafting, and creating things with her hands.

But what made Kathleen truly special wasn’t just what she did-it was who she was. She was sweet, stubborn, and a little sassy, with a personality that could make you smile and heart big enough to love everyone around her. She loved fiercely, spoke her mind, and had a way of making people feel like family.

And to so many, she was simply Grandma Kathy.

Being a grandma was one of her greatest joys, and she was the very best at it. Her love wasn’t limited to her own grandchildren. She had a way of making everyone feel welcome, loved, and like they belonged. Whether you were family by blood or simply lucky enough to know her, there was always room for one more in Grandma Kathy’s heart.

Kathleen is survived by her five children, Warren Bledsoe, Silver Lake, Kansas; Robert (Amy) Bledsoe, Wasilla, Alaska; Margery (Larry) Wilhoite, Frankfort, Kentucky; David (Amy) Bledsoe, Lyndon, Kansas; Kayleen (Shawn) Schaefer, Palmer, Kansas. She also leaves behind 16 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter, each a part of the family she loved so dearly.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton Bledsoe, and daughter-in-law Tina Bledsoe who passed away April 19, 2023; her parents, and her siblings.

She may have been Kathleen to some, Kathy to others, but to so many, she will always be Grandma Kathy.

Visitation will be held Saturday, November 14, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. at Ward Funeral Home in Washington, Kansas. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m., officiated by Father David Metz. Sheila Ouellette will serve as pianist for the congregational hymns, "It Is Well with My Soul" and "How Great Thou Art."

The pallbearers will be Derek Bledsoe, Trent Schaefer, Nathan Schaefer, Jase Schaefer, Dalton Oehmke, Austin Bledsoe, Jordan Bledsoe and Cole Oehmke.

Burial will follow at Washington City Cemetery. Following the burial, family and friends are invited to gather for refreshments and fellowship at the KSDS East Training Facility in Washington.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ward Funeral Home.