Kay A. Raab, 90, of Overland Park, KS passed away on Sunday morning June 30th, 2019.
Kay was born July 27, 1928 in Frontenac, KS. and grew up in Pleasanton, KS. She graduated from Pleasanton High School and the Ursaline Academy in Paola, KS. Shortly thereafter, she began teaching in a one room school house commuting in her Model A touring car. She moved to the Kansas City area in 1950 and it was there she met the love of her life, Louis Raab. The two were soon married and they set off for a life of adventure and fun. Kay was a loving mother of five children, four boys and a girl. In her early married life, she was the co-founder of the family business. After the last of five children went off to school full-time Kay decided to pursue her dream for a career in teaching. She embarked on studies through the School of Education at Avila University and Rockhurst University to complete her undergraduate work. She would later earn a master’s degree in Reading from the University of Kansas in 1979. In total, Kay’s career in teaching spanned three decades. During that time, she was named “Girl of the Year” 1980 in Beta Sigma Phi social service sorority. A long-time member of the professional teaching sorority Kappa Kappa Iota, Kay served as Kansas State President (1986) Gamma Chapter. In 1992, she was inducted into the Who’s Who among America’s Teachers. Kay taught at Frank Rushton Elementary school for 26 years and taught a total of 30 years in KCKS District #500. She received distinction from the Kansas City Kansas School Board for her numerous years of service upon her retirement in 2003.
Kay exuded a free spirit and love for life. Family and friends were incredibly important to her. She was proud of her Irish heritage and reveled in the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. She spent her free time and summers with her children and grandchildren riding horses, playing tennis, appreciating the arts, dining out, enjoying Kansas City Jazz and photography – taking pictures – lots and lots of pictures.
She was preceded in death by her parents Michael and Martha Riley, her sister Shirley Ann Riley and brother Joseph Riley, her husband Louis C. Raab, son Louis M. Raab, Linda (Barket) Raab, Daughter Joan K. Raab.
She is survived by her family:
Sons: Stephen (Natalie) Raab, Mark (Patricia) Raab, Thomas Raab and Becky Gredell. Daughters-in-law Sharon Hurley-Raab, Laura Vera-Raab and Kristen Zane.
Grandchildren: Timothy Raab, Jeremy Raab, and Eliese Raab. Jami (Mike) Pelzl, Gregory Raab, Stephen Roper, Daniel Raab. Katie (Raab)-Zotti, Laura Raab and Chris Raab. Mark Vera (Eline Cabecas), Stephanie (John deceased) Phillips, Jon (Kaylyn) Vera, Paul Vera, Edward (Sasha) Raab and Mary Kate Raab.
Great Grandchildren: Avery Pelzl, Ella Zotti, Liv Reif, Alex Vera, Sophia Vera, Isabella Vera, Ryder Paige Ortego-Vera, Edith Raab
Visitation will be 9:30-10:30 AM with Funeral Mass starting at 10:30 AM Saturday, July 6, at the Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St. Overland Park, KS.
The Family extends its appreciation to the staff at Bickford of Overland Park for their professional care. The family requests no flowers and suggests memorial contributions to Catholic Community Hospice, 9740 W. 87th St., Overland Park, KS 66212.