Kathryn J. Macan

Gracious. Kind. Beautiful. Gentle. Artist. Fashionable. Steely resolve. Pioneering. Learned. Terrific sense of humor----she once asked the doctor after her first hip fracture at age 85 if shed still be able to perform her own stunts! Mrs. Kathryn "Katie" Jane (Reed) Macan is once again "Side by Side" (their song) with her husband of 54 years, Peter C. (Pete) Macan. Born Feb. 22, 1930 in Kansas City, MO, to Walter and Maud (French) Reed, Katie passed away at age 88 Dec. 29, 2018 in Kansas City, KS. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Pete, brother, Walter Reed; sister, Margaret Reed; and granddaughter, Audrey Yadrich. Katie is survived by her daughters, Rita (Lew) Binns, Anita Macan, Donna Yadrich, and Patrice Scott; grandchildren, Drew (Lacey) Binns, Christopher (Sierra) Binns, Peter Yadrich, Matthew Scott, and Andrew Scott; her brother, Albert "Bert" (Betty) Reed and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her greatly beloved "Dolly Dog", Foxy. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Katies name to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church or the Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center. Friends and family can pay their respects at the visitation Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Rosary at 3:30 p.m.) at Skradski Funeral Home, 340 N 6th St., KCK. The funeral service will be held Monday, Jan. 7 at 10:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 708 N. 4th, KCK.
A devout Catholic, Katie attended St. Rita's grade school in Cameron, MO and graduated from Lillis High School (Class of 1948) in Kansas City, MO. She began working the night shift for Missouri Pacific Railroad as a temporary employee at the age of 16 while attending high school and became the first female Morse Code telegrapher in Kansas. Upon graduation, she was awarded a full scholarship to college; however, opted to attend Donnelly College and continued working at the railroad. A former "Miss Missouri Pacific," Katie spent more than four decades working for the railroad until her retirement from Union Pacific Railroad in 1987. Throughout her career, she personally fought hard for the rights so many employees take for granted today: maternity, sick and vacation leave; medical and retirement benefits, and overtime pay. She also championed nondiscrimination practices at work, within the community and within the home.
Katies childhood included all things Irish. But while working for the railroad, she met the love of her life, Pete. They married in 1953 and she quickly embraced and supported the Croatian culture. While deeply traditional, the couple were amazingly progressive inspiring their four daughters and six grandchildren to pursue their educations and dreams and quietly supported those around them. Katie was a selfless and fierce mother and the most fun grandmother ever. The quality of Katies life and her time on earth was extended thanks to the tireless efforts of her daughter Anita.
Katie was a member of AARP, ACLU, RARE (Retired & Active Railroad Employees), NARVRE (National Association of Retired & Veteran Railway Employees), Morse Telegraph Club, TCIU (Transportation Communications International Union), St. John the Baptist Catholic Church and SHECS (Strawberry Hill Ethnic Cultural Society).
Our loss is heaven's gain. We'd pick you again, Mom!
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Visitation SKRADSKI FUNERAL HOME

Sunday, January 06, 2019

2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

340 N 6TH STKANSAS CITY, Kansas 66101-3350
Directions Rosary SKRADSKI FUNERAL HOME

Sunday, January 06, 2019

3:30 PM - 4:00 PM

340 N 6TH STKANSAS CITY, Kansas 66101-3350
Directions Mass of Christian Burial St. John the Baptist Catholic Church

Monday, January 07, 2019

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM

708 N. 4th StreetKansas City, Kansas 66101
Directions Burial Mt. Calvary Cemetery

Monday, January 07, 2019

11:30 AM

38 & StateKansas City, Kansas 66102
Directions