Kathryn "Kitty" G. Bronec

Mass of Christian Burial is 11:00 AM Friday, February 28, 2025, at St. Patrick Catholic Church, Kansas City, MO, where a visitation will begin at 10:00 AM. Interment will be at 1:30 PM Friday at Mt. Calvary Cemetery, 1011 Desoto Road, Lansing, KS 66043. The family suggests donations to the Kitty Goeters Bronec Endowed Scholarship, University of Saint Mary, 4100 S 4th Street, Leavenworth, KS, 66048.

Kitty was born January 5, 1932, in Houston, TX. Following her birth, she lived with her mother, Florence Goeters, two brothers, Pat Goeters (2 years older) and Joe Goeters (2 years younger) in Kitty’s grandmother, Katherine Carroll’s home. The family were active Catholics with Kitty attending the parish school. She attended Saint Mary Academy in Leavenworth, KS graduating in 1950.

Kitty entered the Sisters of Charity of Leavenworth Community taking the religious name of Sister Lucian Marie. She was a teacher for 24 years in schools staffed by Sisters of Charity. This included assignments in Chicago, Los Angeles, Denver, Laramie, Kansas City, Prairie Village and Leavenworth, KS. Her last teaching as a religious sister was at the University of Saint Mary.

Her education included a BA degree (history), University of Saint Mary, Leavenworth; a Master’s Degree (Sociology), University of Texas. Kitty loved teaching sharing many pleasant memories. She spoke of the supportive enjoyable relationship with the sisters with whom she lived and taught.

Following a dispensation Kitty left the religious life and married Leonard Bronec in Houston on August 24, 1974. Kitty continued teaching at San Antonio Junior College, and later at the University of Saint Mary. She helped establish an adult education Center in Leavenworth, Saint Mary Outfront, retiring from teaching in 1998. In many ways Outfront was the pinnacle of her educational career.

Kitty’s hobby was raising and showing Bichon Frises in competitive dog shows with five achieving championships. Weekends were often spent travelling to dog shows.

In 1980 Kitty and Len sponsored a refugee family of three siblings, two girls, Nai (18), Hoang (14) and one boy, Kheam (13) Taing , who lived with them for one year. It was a very rewarding experience. All three achieved college degrees and went on to live successful lives. Nai’s children affectionately refer to Kitty as “Grandma Bronec”.

To carry on her faith commitment Kitty remained active in parish committees, prayer and discussion groups, and attendance at National Call To Action Conferences. Leaving San Antonio in 1983, Kitty lived in Kansas City, KS and Gladstone, MO.

She maintained a relationship with Sisters of Charity. Committed to the charism of the Community she served as volunteer for the infirm sisters in Ross Hall for 12 years. She was invited to assist in developing an Associate program for lay people. Her involvement included serving on the Associate board and as a member of their Peace and Justice Committee. Kitty served with a serious purpose that reflected her deep faith and spirituality.

With a love of plants and flowers she beautified her yard with flower beds highlighted one year on a garden tour in Gladstone, MO. She had special skills in decorating making the home feel warm, inviting and comfortable. In 1998 Kitty moved from Kansas City, KS to Gladstone, MO, a move prompted by the Kansas Speedway buying their property.

When Kitty’s eyesight continued to deteriorate, she gave up driving and reading the printed word. She kept her love of reading using a device furnished by the Commission to the Blind. She continued this until her death. In January of 2013, with limited vision and some health issues Kitty and Len moved to a senior retirement community in Kansas City, MO. They were one of the,first to move into McCrite Plaza, in an Independent Living apartment where she remained until her death. This proved to be a positive move. Kitty was always grateful for the care of staff and fellow residents at McCrite. Kitty was known for her humor, wit and pleasant personality. Residents enjoyed her joke at their monthly Residential Meetings. She was a member of St Patrick Catholic Church, Kansas City, MO.

Kitty was intelligent, well-educated, humorous, personable, independent, and a strong willed, a steadfast Democrat, who cared for the poor and marginalized, a response to her deep Catholic faith. A recent joyful time was celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary in August. She will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, Kitty was preceded in death by her brother, Pat Goeters. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Len Bronec; her brother, Joe Goeters (Charlotte), Houston, TX; sisters-in-law Jackie Kahn Goeters, Boston, and Marilyn Goeters, Houston, and several nieces and nephews. Sponsored family: Nai Taing Straly died in August 24, 2024. Kheam Taing, Hoang Taing, Tad Straly, Liyi Straly and Kevin Straly survive.