Obituary: Arliss Virginia (Akers) Kater
EMPORIA — Arliss Virginia (Akers) Kater, 79, of Emporia,
passed away on Sunday (Aug. 26, 2012). Arliss had entered Holiday Resort of Emporia
in August following a lengthy illness. Arliss Akers was one of the
Newton-Harvey County New Year Babies born on Jan. 1, 1933, to Henry James Akers
and Mary Eva Ellen (Reed) Akers. She attended elementary school in Newton and
graduated from Newton High School in 1951. While in the eighth grade, Arliss
began skating with her future husband, Charles Richard “Dick” Kater, at the
local roller skating rink known then as Newton Skating Palace. The two married
on July 22, 1951, at First Baptist Church of Newton, and began raising four
children. Arliss looked forward to holiday gatherings, spending time with her
family, and vacations to Silver Dollar City. She and her friends enjoyed
luncheons and their time together as grocery store “sample ladies.” Arliss donated
her time to the PTA, as a Girl Scout Leader, and for the American Red Cross,
and she looked forward to KU basketball season, Wheel of Fortune, and listening
to her favorite George Strait songs. She is lovingly survived by her daughter,
Susan Turner and husband, Steve; son, Kevin Kater and wife, Denise, all of
Emporia; daughter, Jan Zellner and husband, Michael of North Newton;
grandchildren, Kelly (Turner) Sullivan of Gardner, Travis Kater of Kansas City,
Sarah (Kater) Albers of Topeka, Kristin (Kater) Rieman of Osage City, Kyle
Kater of Emporia and Javen Zellner of North Newton; and five
great-grandchildren. Arliss also is survived by a brother, Marvin Akers of
Oklahoma. The love of her life, Dick, passed away on April 14, 1997, and her
eldest son, Steven Kater, lost his lifelong battle with diabetes on Aug. 30,
2007. She also was preceded in death by sisters, Louise Anduss, Lois Buller,
Audrey Lee Higgens, Jeanne Sills, Dorothy Grochowsky and Joyce Ann Miller; and
brothers, Lawrence Akers, Howard Akers and Wayne Akers. Family will visit with
friends at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday (Aug. 29, 2012) at Broadway Colonial Funeral
Home in Newton, with services to follow at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment
will follow at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton. Memorial funds have been
established for the Emporia Friends of the Zoo and the Emporia Newman Regional
Cardiac Rehab Program, in care of the funeral home at 120 E. Broadway, Newton,
KS 67114. Friends may view the obituary and sign the book online at www.broadwaycolonialfh.com.
