Catherine "Kitty" Blume

Catherine “Kitty” Eleanor Blume, age 84, passed away in Topeka, Kansas surrounded by family and enveloped with love on Tuesday, July 7, 2026.

Kitty was born on February 14, 1942 in Leavenworth, Kansas to Martin J. Eggert and Ina M. (Carrier) Eggert. She is survived by her daughter, Mary and son-in-law, David; daughter, Michelle and son-in-law, Kevin; and grandchildren Nicole (Moss) Fernandez, Ashley Moss and Harlow Manning; great-granddaughter, Jasmine Fernandez; sister, Mary “Dee Dee” Hesse; nieces and nephews; and her beloved cat, Toby. Kitty was preceded in death by her parents Marty & Ina; sister, Marilyn Harre; ex-husband and dear friend, John Blume; and a host of past cats.

Kitty grew up in Leavenworth, Kansas and graduated from Immaculata High School in 1960. She married John J. Blume on April 11,1964, they were married for 22 years and found their friendship and fondness for each other grew following their separation. This was a great gift to their children for holidays and family celebrations.

Kitty had careers as a dental assistant working at the Veteran’s Administration and in oral surgery at Fort Leavenworth. Eventually she returned to the VA where she worked in food service. She retired with over 25 years of civil government service. As she eased into retirement, she worked part-time for the Leavenworth School District assisting children with disabilities getting on and off the school bus and the Leavenworth Council on Aging. Once fully retired, Kitty thoroughly enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, attending their various events, gardening, and tending her bird feeders and bird baths.

Kitty enjoyed residing with Michelle and Kevin in Topeka where she had a lovely mother-in-law suite with a view of nature, animals and wildlife experiences that a creek and wood filled rural backyard provided. She kept binoculars by the window and was thrilled to report sightings of various animals to include foxes, coyotes, birds of prey and even a bobcat and cub. This environment enabled her to feed just about any feral cat or wild animal which brought her great joy. Living with and seeing her youngest granddaughter, Harlow, on a daily basis was a great gift. Kitty also cherished her daily calls with her sister, Dee Dee. They never seemed to lack topics to discuss and both looked forward to their calls.

We want to share how deeply Kitty loved and cared for others. She had a kindness that we all hope to embody. She was the type of person who if you complimented her on a shirt, earring or other piece of jewelry, she would offer to give it to you. She loved travel and was grateful to enjoy RV road trips in the US and international travel to destinations like Belize, Tikal, Guatemala and her favorite, the island of Bonaire, which she first visited in the mid 1980’s and her last visit this past February to celebrate her 84th birthday. She has an enviable pajama collection that received many comments from others during her short stay in the hospital. We hope to carry on her love of awesome pajamas amongst our family. She had hand written data collection and organization skills of personal information, family details and medical history that would rival that of any computer program. She enjoyed thrift store shopping and was a keen “thrifter” long before it was trendy. She loved her friends and activities at the LULAC Senior Center and we are grateful for the camaraderie she enjoyed there.

Kitty was a life long Catholic and found great comfort and peace in the practices of her faith. We believe she was welcomed into paradise by Christ and is reunited with past loved ones.

We would like to thank the medical professionals at Stormont Vail and Kansas Rehabilitation Hospitals for their kindness, care and compassion. You have our deepest gratitude.

Service info:

• Visitation: Monday, July 13, 2026 from 5:30 pm -7:30 pm.

  • Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, 1321 SW 10th Ave, Topeka, KS 66604.

• Rosary: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 10:00 am

  • St. Matthew’s Catholic Church, 2700 SW Virginia Ave, Topeka, KS 66605

• Funeral Mass with luncheon to follow: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 10:30 am

  • St Matthew’s Catholic Church, 2700 SW Virginia Ave, Topeka KS, 66605

• Burial: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at 2:00 pm

  • Mt Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 1011 Desoto Rd, Lansing, KS 66043

In lieu of flowers, Kitty would be grateful and humbled by any gifts made to the National Shrine of St Jude Claretian Missionaries, the Topeka Helping Hands Humane Society or the Topeka LULAC Senior Center.

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