Kathryn (Noll) Blocksome, age 89, died November 3, 2009 at the Rhode Island Suites, Ransom, Kansas. She was born September 24th, 1920, in Ransom, the daughter of Leonard Jr. and Eva (Daniels) Noll.

She was an elementary school teacher in the Arnold and Ransom School Districts, starting her career in 1939 in a country school house. She retired in 1984 after teaching for almost 30 years with 15 years off to raise a family. She received her bachelor's degree in education, graduating with distinction, and later her master's degree - both from Fort Hays Kansas State College. She was a member of the Gay Ginghams EHU and a 4-H club leader.

On May 25, 1940, she married Keith Blocksome in Hays, Kansas. He preceded her in death on October 27, 1996. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Wilma Sim.

Survivors include:

Her brother: George and Mary Noll, Ransom

Three sons: Rod and Elizabeth Blocksome, Robins, Iowa; Kent and Bettie Blocksome, Chester, South Carolina; and Craig and Carol Blocksome, Ransom;

Eight grandchildren: Will Blocksome, Auburn, Alabama; Deborah and Andy Moon, Ft. Mill, South Carolina; Michelle and Robb Hornback, Glasgow, Kentucky; Michael and Darcy Blocksome, Rochester, Minnesota; Myron Blocksome, Brookings, South Dakota; Dan Blocksome, Ransom, Kansas; Rebecca Blocksome, Lenexa, Kansas; and Patricia Blocksome, Manhattan, Kansas;

Eight great-grandchildren: Alex Hornback, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Brad Hornback, Murfreesboro, Tennessee; Chelsea Hornback, Cornersville, Tennessee; Christian Hornback, Glasgow, Kentucky; Ethan Hornback, Glasgow, Kentucky; Reed Blocksome, Rochester, Minnesota; Tyler Moon, Ft. Mill, South Carolina; and Dalton Moon, Ft. Mill, South Carolina.

Kathryn grew up southwest of Ransom on the farm on Wild Horse Creek established by her pioneer grandfather. She and her sister named it the "Alfadangus Farm" because they raised alfalfa and black Angus cattle. She rode her pony, "Black Beauty", six miles each day to attend Forrester Valley School. These were the brutal days of Kansas dust storms, winter blizzards, and the great depression of the 1930s. Growing up in this environment surely forged the strength of character we remember in Kathryn.

Her family frequently took long road trips by automobile and occasionally by train where, at an early age, she developed a strong interest in travel and other cultures – particularly England and Scotland, which she was able to visit in 1993. She also developed a life-long interest and talent in creating art and writing short stories of her experiences growing up on the Noll farm.

She and Keith were high school sweethearts and quietly married in 1940 without any of their friends' prior knowledge. They established a home on a 160-acre farm southeast of Ransom, where they raised wheat, cattle, and three sons. In 1961, they moved into Ransom, only one block from the school where she taught 4th grade.

She was a dedicated teacher who loved her 4th grade students and strove to instill in them a desire for learning. This drive for education was also passed on to her children and grandchildren. Some of her former students went on to become the doctor, nurses, and staff who lovingly cared for her in her final years. Prior to entering the nursing home, Ruth Buller and her sons, Peter and Josiah, became her "extra" daughter and grandsons.

Funeral services will be Saturday, November 7, 2009, 10:00 a.m. at the First Mennonite Church, Ransom with Pastor Eldon Epp presiding. Friends may call at Fitzgerald Funeral Home on Friday from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. with the family present from 5 to7 p.m. Burial will be in the Ransom Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to the Keith and Kathryn Blocksome Memorial Scholarship Fund at The First State Bank in Ransom, Kansas. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com