Kathy Haralson

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Our rock. Our love. Our Kathy.

On Sunday, June 16, Kathy Lynn (Schmidt) Haralson went to be with her Lord and Savior. Born July 27, 1957, in Emporia, Kansas, she was the first child of Henry Francis and Patsy Jo “PJ” (Mason) Schmidt. She was a beautiful, ornery, brown-eyed girl, full of life and heart. 

After four years, their family welcomed her sister Teri. Together, they were double trouble, swapping clothes, sharing stories, and yes, fighting over makeup in the bathroom. 

Kathy loved to tease with her family and stayed up on Sunday nights to watch the “Sonny and Cher” show and iron her hair so she had the stick-straight look of the woman she saw on TV.

In 1980, she met the love of her life, who was a groomsman at her sister’s wedding. It was love at first sight, and 11 weeks later, October 4, 1980, they were married. In 1982, they had their first child, Abby Leigh, who she always referred to as her “angel.” The three of them had seven amazing years together when Garry finally convinced her to try for a second child. And nine months later, they were blessed with a perfect boy, Branden David. If Abby was “my angel,” Branden was, “my baby,” and the four of them were solidified as a family forever.

Work took them to Bolivar, where they spent six blissful years together. Abby finished High School there, they grew their friend groups as a family, and built their favorite home together. She was even asked to have it included in that year’s Christmas parade of homes tour, and you better believe every florist and home decor store in Southwest Missouri knew Kathy by name. But that was Kathy’s way, she knew how to make friends everywhere, and she knew how to make a house a home.

Eventually, they found their way back to Carl Junction, where the family reconnected with old friends and made new work connections. Branden finished High School and moved to Kansas City, and Abby started her career as a nurse. After a few years, Abby got married and gave Kathy the ultimate friend and playmate in her granddaughter, Kyleigh Larie.

Her children and granddaughter continued to spread their wings, making her even more proud than she could have ever dreamed. Kathy held many professional roles at many different places, choosing to focus in the healthcare field, making lifelong friends wherever she worked. She was a natural caretaker at home and professionally. After retirement, she reveled in her new role as our family’s activities director and Kyleigh’s personal manager. She finally got the pool she always wanted, and had many projects to look forward to where she could cast her creative magic.

She will be missed by those who loved her most: her husband, children, granddaughter, mother, sister, in-laws, nephews and nieces, lifelong friends and their children, as well as thousands of community members who all knew her big smile and warm heart extended far and wide.

We will mourn her forever, but our hearts are full of warmth and peace knowing she is no longer concerned for her health or longevity and has reaped the rewards of her faith in God. Thank you for every kind word, gracious gift, and prayer said to lift our family. We couldn’t possibly thank everyone for their contribution, but we will try with our gratitude as we continue to move forward as a family. 

Kathy loved her beautiful flowers, so if you feel compelled to send flowers, she adored The Curly Willow and The Wild Flower in Joplin, Missouri. If you would prefer to memorialize Kathy in a different way, please consider donations to the Joplin Humane Society or the Bright Futures Fund of Carl Junction, two causes she loved dearly.

Services will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, June 22, at Joplin First Church, 501 West 4th Street, Joplin, MO 64801, with a visitation prior beginning at 10:00am.

Services in care of Mason-Woodard Mortuary and Crematory.