Obituary of Kathy Elaine Garber

Kathy Elaine Garber, age 67, of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away on Monday, December 21, 2020 at Jane Phillips Medical Center in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. Kathy was born on December 21, 1953 in Coffeyville, Kansas to William and Cora (Plummer) Benning. She grew up in Labette County and attended school at Snow Hill, Valeda, Edna and Labette County High School where she graduated high school in 1971. On March 22, 1974 she married the love of her life, Donald "Don" Garber in Angola, Kansas. They made their home on Kathy's childhood farm East of Coffeyville where they raised their children, Keith and Kristi. Kathy spent her life caring for others and helping people. She worked as a social worker for the State of Kansas, at Class Limited, at Davita Dialysis Center and was the owner and operator of Country Time Antiques for over ten years. She was of the Christian faith and a member of the National Autumn Leaf (China Club). Kathy was very active throughout her life. For a time she coached softball. She enjoyed antiques, arts and crafts and painting. She liked to camp and fish and loved the beauty of the outdoors. She took great joy in trying new things and going on new adventures. They often traveled and spent time in Arizona and other areas in the south western United States. Kathy had a soft spot and could be very sentimental; she also found it of high importance to carry on family traditions and passing them down to the following generations. Above all, she loved the time she spent with her kids and grandkids, watching them play sports and games, along with family gatherings were what she held most dear. Those left to cherish her memory are her loving husband, Don Garber of the home; children, Keith Garber of Kansas City, Missouri, Kristi Ditmer and husband, Stephen of Topeka, Kansas; grandchildren, Ryan, Corey and Nathan Ditmer; along with her cat that she loved. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, William and Cora Benning along with two brothers and one sister and her daughter-in-law Julie Garber. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Dearing Christian Church. Pastor Jamie Regis will officiate. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery east of Coffeyville. Friends may sign the guest register at David W Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville on Tuesday, December 30, 2020 from 12:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. There will be a visitation on Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Dearing Christian Church The family suggests memorial contributions can be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children or to the Johnson Cancer Research Center in Manhattan, Kansas; contributions can be left with the funeral home or mailed in care of David W Barnes Funeral Home 306 N Cline Rd. Coffeyville, KS 67337.