Kate Miner was born September 18, 1957, in Winner, SD, to Doris Putnam Miner and Kenneth Miner.  Her soul left us July 1, 2022, at the Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, MO.  Baptized at St. John Catholic Church, Paxton, SD, as Mary Kathleen, she was "Kate" from the beginning, coming home to join Jana and Kevin in the little square house on the Miner ranch.  Their memories of her homecoming centered on the new black and white Magnavox television that took center stage in the living room, next to the rocker and bassinet.

She walked early and became Kevin's constant companion, a partnership that lasted through chores, high school, and the infamous car delivery from Sioux Falls to California. Uncle Pat Putnam gave $300 to three nephews and Kate to drive a Mercedes and then return another car to South Dakota. As they crossed into Wyoming, the four cousins promptly filled the trunk with Coors. That trip symbolized Kate. It was fun, spontaneous, and filled with mischief – but the cars were delivered on time.

The ranch was her world. Not a fan of housework, Kate gravitated to playing and working outside. Horses and dogs were her first loves.  Being boosted up on the saddle on Rusty, Dad's beautiful, big cow horse, was joy. Frosty, a pure white Shetland cross, was the horse she forever loved. A surprise colt, Frosty captured her heart. She broke and trained him. When he developed sleeping sickness one summer, Kate slept in the corral with him, nursing him until he could stand and walk again.  Kate worked hard, haying, taking care of cattle and sheep, and any other chores assigned to her and Kevin. Through it all, there would always be a dog with her: the beautiful, gentle Collie Tippy Jo (Kate's dogs generally had middle names); then all the Australian Shepherds, Callie – Kate's protector for 22 years, her beloved Dexter, Shiloh, Cayenne, and the newest puppy, Scully.

Kate attended grade school at Pleasant Hill rural school. She graduated from Gregory High School in 1975 where she was in band, chorus, and "activities" with best friends Maureen Taggert and Teresa Flynn. During high school, she worked as an aide at the Gregory Community Hospital. She earned a nursing degree from Dakota Wesleyan College in 1978. Her career as a registered nurse began in hospitals in Gillette and Rawlins, WYO. She landed in the Kansas City metro area in the early 1980s. Her career included pediatric psychiatric nursing at the Menninger Institute, 15 years at Menorah Hospital, RN case manager/discharge planner for HIMS hospitalists group, case manager for Hospice Care of the Midwest, and then development and management of several skilled and long term nursing units. She ended her career as Director of Nursing and Clinical Education for ROI, Independence, MO. Kate truly lived the "give a hand up" philosophy, training and teaching her co-workers so they could advance in the nursing world. Co-workers loved Kate for bringing sunshine, an irreverent sense of humor, and great food into the buildings. Kate enjoyed her patients. On a good day in her last month, she brought crockpots of hot food for lunch and hugs for special patients at ROI.

She lived "north of the river" for many of her 40+ years in Kansas City. She served on the Gladstone Park Board Advisory Board from December 2004 through 2007 and was instrumental in developing the Gladstone Community Center.  She was part of the Northland Christmas Store committee which helps many families during the holiday season. Kate was involved in the Kansas City community supporting many causes from AIDS Walk KC to all the dog walks: Gladstone Walk 'n' Wag, Parkville Paws in the Park, Jackson County Dogtoberfest, Brooksides' Strut with your Mutt, Zona Rosa's Woodstock, and Art Unleashed where she was an enthusiastic and fierce bidder.

Kate supported political causes, Democrats, and was proud of Senator Doris Miner. Equality was her life and she advocated strongly for the LBGT community through her support of Hope House, Late Night Theater for over 20 years with Ron MeGee and crew, and many more fundraisers.  Not a natural athlete, Kate supported and enjoyed the HASSL softball league many Sundays with friends and fundraising events. If you knew Kate, you understood that phone calls were not answered during Chiefs' football games and KU Jayhawks men's basketball. Actually, the phone wasn't necessary because her yelling at the television was audible from KC to Waldo.

Kate loved her friends and lived her life fearlessly and with great joy. Cancer did not steal the essence of Kate. Lose your hair from chemo? Then ask Linda to draw a Chief's arrowhead with colored markers on that perfectly round bald head to celebrate the Superbowl. The screened-in deck was her perch day and night, hot or cold. She loved the feel of a breeze, where she could sit and talk for hours on the phone. And wherever Kate lived, there would be a garden or flowers.

A large part of her life, however, was lived without fanfare. Kate had a generous heart, supplying food, clothing, money, or whatever was needed to make life easier. That generosity extended to her parents, bringing them to Kansas City to live with her and Linda from January 2018 until their deaths. It was arduous daily care, that brought both heartache and happiness. In the end, it was the most precious gift her parents ever received.

She is survived by her wife, Linda Watson, and their Aussies Cayenne and Scully; siblings, Jana Miner, Fort Pierre, SD; Kevin (Judy) Miner, Bonesteel, SD; Lorrie Miner (Lee Brannan), Presho, SD; nieces Courtney Ewell (Todd), Bismarck, ND; Maj. Kristi (Chris) Miner, NJ; and Dr. Timmi (Jesse) Hutchison. Dayton, OH; her favorite uncle Pat (Linda) Putnam, Redwood, CA; and her tribe of close friends, Kansas City, MO. She was preceded in death by her parents and her grandparents, Frances and Bertha Putnam, and Harlow and Helen Miner.

A gathering of friends will be held on July 22, 2022, at the Gladstone Community Center from 5 to 9 p.m. to share tacos, cupcakes, and all the great memories of our Kate.