Katherine Marie Garrison

Katherine Marie (Lacer) Garrison, 71, (Olathe, KS) died gracefully on Saturday, February 1, 2025. She had a sweet, peaceful smile on her face while her husband tenderly held her hand. Several friends surrounded her bedside as her gentle spirit took its last earthly breath.

Kathy was born on March 13, 1953, at St. Francis Hospital in Marceline, MO, to Anna Marie (Arbuckle) and Robert Drew Lacer. During her early childhood, she resided in Bucklin, MO, with her mother, father, and younger brother, Rob Lacer. She began her schooling in Missouri, and eventually attended the Kansas School for the Deaf (KSD) in Olathe, KS. In 1973, Kathy graduated from KSD and continued to reside in Olathe for the rest of her life.

Shortly after graduation, she began working for Allied Signal Corporation continuing her work with them through the transition of changing the company name to Honeywell, Inc. As an employee, Kathy received many certifications, awards, and recognitions for completing countless hours of training workshops and courses to build her knowledge as a cooperative team member. She retired from Honeywell, giving them more than 34 years of dedicated service!

Kathy married Robert Lewis Garrison—twice! She married Robert in the Kansas Court in June of 1989. Her husband grew up Catholic, and after a few years, she decided to go through the Rite of Christian Initiation for adults (RCIA) to join the Catholic Church. On March 26, 1994, Katherine and Robert received the Sacrament of HOly Matrimony, uniting their lives and hearts with a common faith. Together they attended interpreted Masses on Sundays and participated in the monthly potluck and Deaf Mass celebrations, where Kathy often read prayers of petition. For several years, Kathy was also active in her larger deaf community as a coordinator for the Olathe Deaf Senior Citizen Club. She was quiet and humble, always serving with a caring heart.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Anna Marie Lacer. She is survived by her father, Robert Drew Lacer and her brother Rob Lacer. She is also survived by her devoted husband Robert L. Garrison. She was his constant companion, and he misses her very much.

Robert says Kathy liked to collect butterflies, and she enjoyed decorating the walls of their home with various kinds of butterfly art. Family and friends will miss her gentle spirit, faithful heart, and kind manner. Each time we see a butterfly quietly float by, we will remember you and your sweet smile. Rest in peace, friend. May perpetual light shine upon you.

A Funeral Mass for Katherine will be held Monday, February 17, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at St. Paul Catholic Church, 21650 W 115th Terrace, Olathe, KS 66061. Following the Funeral Mass will be an Interment of Ashes from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, 13901 S Black Bob Rd, Olathe, KS 66062. A luncheon will be held at 2:00 PM at St. Paul Catholic Church.