Katherine "Katie" Schartz

Katherine “Katie” Anna Schartz, 85, of Leawood, passed away the morning of September 3, 2023.

Katie was born in Topeka, Kansas. Katie was a Polio survivor after she was diagnosed at the age of 12. She attended Kansas State University and met Clark who she married in 1963. Katie was known for her love of animals and was a “grammie” to many. She was known to be sweet and sassy to all and always knew what she wanted.

In her younger years, she enjoyed square dancing, tending to her rose garden, and spending time with her beloved animals; which included a skunk, cats, and dogs over the years. She loved playing Mexican train dominoes with her friends, doing Tai Chi exercise class with her good friend Dorris, and watching Let’s Make A Deal in the afternoons. Katie was a huge sports fan, including the Kansas City Chiefs, KU basketball, and the Kansas City Royals. Her all-time favorite athlete was Patrick Mahomes, or as she would call him, Patrick "MaComes."

Katie is preceded in death by her husband, Clark Schartz; her parents Emily and Robert Smrha; and her husband’s parents, Elsie and Wilfred Schartz.

She leaves behind her siblings and their spouses, Chuck Smrha (Julie) and Emmi Homman (Earl); her children, Lisa Shurtleff (Brian) and Jeff Schartz (Melissa); her grandchildren, Olivia Grant (Samuel), Hunter Shurtleff, Griffen Shurtleff, Dana Fishbaugh, Cody Wiley, Taylor Schartz, Jeffrey Schartz, and Samuel Schartz. Most importantly, she is survived by her “dog son”, Winston.

We would like to thank all of the healthcare professionals at Advent South Hospital in Overland Park, KS who took phenomenal care of Katie as she declined this past week. We are forever grateful for the work you do and all the love and compassion you showed Katie and our family during this difficult time.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in her honor at St. Joseph Catholic Church on September 5, 2023. Visitation will be held from 10 am to 11 am with Mass to follow at 11 am. Her service will be streamed and will be available to watch by clicking HERE.

We invite you to make a donation to Guiding Eyes for the Blind or to the Lenexa Police Department’s Canine Unit in her honor.