RIGGS, Catharine Ruth (Carter) - b. July 3, 1927 - d. April 9, 2018

[patyrn]

Catharine Ruth Riggs, 90, passed away on April 9, 2018 at Pratt Regional Medical Center in Pratt, Kansas.  She was a person who realized death was inevitable, but that during life, it could be filled with the sharing of special memories and happiness.  Catharine was a young strawberry blonde, active youngster, and throughout her life, she loved the outdoors and all her pets starting while living with her parents, Hazel (Barnaby) and Robert Benjamin Harrison "Ben" Carter on a farm outside of Howard, Kansas.  She was born on July 3, 1927 and had an older sister, Mary Hope Carter. 

Catharine graduated from Eastern High School in Washington D.C. in February 1945.  She and her family had moved to Washington to participate in the "war effort".  Even though she lived in Maryland, she felt Howard, Kansas was her home.

Catharine attended Kansas State Teachers College of Emporia where she received her elementary education teaching certificate.  Before her marriage, she taught 46 fifth-graders her first year of teaching in Colby, Kansas.  In 1949, she married Harold Richard Riggs and had one daughter, Phyllis Catharine.  In 1961, they had John Harold Riggs as a newborn infant who joined their family through adoption.

Catharine taught 23 years for nearby school districts when she and Harold settled in Olathe, Kasnas where he practiced law and later became a judge for the District Court.  She was a member of the Kansas Retired Teachers Association, a 50-year member of Hope Lodge OES, the Pratt Area Humane Society, and the First Christian Church of Olathe, Kansas. 

Catharine is survived by her much-loved family which include her children and their spouses, Phyllis (Mike) Farney of Pratt, Kansas and John (Tomma Lickliter) Riggs of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Catharine's grandsons include Christopher John Farney of Overland Park, Kansas and David Michael (Robyn Florshutz) Farney and their daughters Lyla and Molly Farney of Nampa, Idaho.  Preceding her in death was her husband, Harold who died while they were spending the winter in Texas in November 1983.  She is also preceded by her parents, Ben and Hazel Carter, and her sister and brother-in-law, Mary Hope and J.C. Wiseman of Howard, Kansas.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Olathe, Kansas.  Memorials may be made to the Pratt Area Humane Society, 10233 Bluestem Boulevard, Pratt, Kansas 67124  or the First Christian Church, 200 E. Loula Street, Olathe, Kansas. 


(published in the Prairie Star - (04/18/2018)