Obituary for Kathleen Hartness

Ponca City Now - February 22, 2017 3:24 pm

Kathleen M. Hartness

(January 7, 1924 – February 22, 2017)

Kathleen Mary Hartness of Blackwell, Oklahoma, passes away early Wednesday morning, February 22, 2017, in the Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home at the age of 93 years.

Kathleen Mary Hartness was born on January 7, 1924, in Hayling Island, England, to Thomas Frederick and Rebecca (Radford) Mitchell. She grew up in England and as a teenager worked as a nanny. She later entered the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force serving during World War II and during this time met Charles Warren Hartness. Following the war, she came to the United States and reunited with Charles. They married on March 28, 1947, in Winfield, Kansas, and settled on a farm in Atlanta, Kansas, where she served her family as a homemaker. In 1953 they moved to Blackwell where her husband worked for Blackwell Zinc Company and in 1955 they moved to Braman to make their home. In 1963 she traveled to Oklahoma City where she received citizenship papers, becoming an American citizen. In 1968 they returned to Blackwell and she continued caring for their home and family. She served as a den mother during her sons Cub Scout tenure and enjoyed attending her children’s many activities. She was an active member of the Braman Baptist Church and Immanuel Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School and worked with the children in Vacation Bible School. She also enjoyed crocheting afghans and knitting slippers for the residents of the nursing home.

She is survived by a daughter, Susan Chriestenson and husband Les of Blackwell; a son, Stephen Hartness and wife Lorean of Miami, Oklahoma; a brother, Fred Mitchell and wife Peg of Hayling Island, England; a sister, June O’Shea of Hayling Island, England; a sister-in-law, Pearl Mitchell of Hayling Island, England; six grandchildren, Vicky, Charlie, Michele, Thomas, Krystal and Jaime; five great grandchildren, Geoffery, Cori, Brianna, Mariano and Autumn; and two great great grandchildren, Niah and Titus.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; two brothers, Bill Radford and Charlie Mitchell; and a sister, Daphne Greggs.

Services are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Monday, February 27th in the Immanuel Baptist Church in Blackwell with Rev. Matt Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Casketbearers will be Scott Bias, Cori Kennedy, Geoffery Kennedy, Ramee Pullin, Charlie Chriestenson, Les Chriestenson and Stephen Hartness.

A memorial has been established in her honor with the Immanuel Baptist Church in c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 W. Padon, Blackwell, Oklahoma 74631.