Slocum-Kissel, Rosemary 1941-2025 St. Joseph, Mo.

Rosemary “Kathy” Slocum-Kissel, 83, St. Joseph, passed away Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, at KU Medical Center. Kathy was born on Oct. 30, 1941, in Kansas City, Missouri, to the late Fred and Elouise (Blau) Slocum.

She was a 1959 graduate of the Convent of the Sacred Heart here in St. Joseph, and attended St. Teresa’s in Kansas City.

On Jan. 28, 1961, she married Dale J. Kissel at Immaculate Conception Cathedral, in Kansas City. In 1982 they moved to St. Joseph. They celebrated 56 years of marriage prior to his passing on Oct. 15, 2017.

Mrs. Kissel was the Early Childhood Center Director for the Cathedral of St. Joseph for over fifteen years, she was also a devoted member of the parish. She sang in the Cathedral choir and served in various Liturgical Ministries.

She was also a member of the St. Ann’s Alter Society, Daughters of Isabella, Women on the Go, and The Convent of Sacred Heart Alumni Association. She was a devoted classmate and enjoyed attending regular lunch dates with her alumni friends. She was an avid Notre Dame fan and enjoyed horse racing, planting flowers, reading and loved traveling with her husband.

In addition to her husband and parents, Kathy was preceded in death by her sister, Geraldine Gillett, and brother, Fred J. Slocum.

Kathy is survived by her son, Kurt Kissel, St. Joseph; daughter, Michelle (Lanny Jr.) Jones, St. Joseph; son, Eric (Missy) Kissel, Pryor, Oklahoma; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Jeanne (Bernie) Verssue, Liberty, Missouri, and Mary Solitt, Plainfield, Illinois; sister-in-law, Carol Slocum; brother-in-law, Conrad (Karen) Kissel; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at Cathedral of St. Joseph. Visitation will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at Cathedral with a parish rosary prayed at 11 a.m. Inurnment at a later date.

The family has requested memorial donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Cathedral of St. Joseph. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.