Kathryn (Kathy) Diane Manske

The kind, nurturing spirit of Kathryn (Kathy) Diane Manske, 61, of Sagerton departed this life on Nov. 29, 2011, at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene. Kathy was a loving wife and mother, special friend and nurse extraordinaire.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, 2011, at Faith Lutheran Church in Sagerton with lay ministers Dean and Patsy Quade officiating and the Rev. Jacob West of Stamford assisting. Burial will be in Sagerton Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Tankersley Funeral Home in Stamford. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

The oldest child of Wayne and Melba White Harris, Kathy was born in Odessa, Texas, on Sept. 10, 1950. She was a 1969 graduate of Haskell High School. She married Tommy Manske on Aug. 4, 1971, in Sagerton. They made their home there for 40 years.

After finishing nursing school in 1987, Kathy began her medical career in nursing as an LVN. She worked at the Stamford Clinic, and in 1988 began working for Dr. Neil Gibson and remained his nurse for 24 years.

Raising three sons and a menagerie of animals, she reveled in the fun of her sons' pranks. Her remedy for any situation was always, "let's eat." An excellent cook, Kathy loved to feed her family and friends, whether at the lake cabin or her home in Sagerton. An abundance of food and laughter accompanied mealtime at the Manskes. Her patient and caring ways coupled with a selfless spirit endeared her to those who called her wife, mother, grandmother, friend or nurse.
When the "Sisters by Heart" group congregated on the weekends to do home improvement projects on each other's houses, they hammered, painted and sawed to the oldies, especially Patsy Cline songs, a favorite of Kathy's. When not remodeling with her friends, she enjoyed planting flowers, working in her yard and playing with grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband; two sons: Philip and wife Jenna Lea of Lorenzo and Brian and wife Joni of Sagerton; stepmother Lavonne Harris of Glen Rose; one aunt, Delight Jones of Haskell; five grandchildren, Tyler, Hunter, Leanne, Lenzi and Lezli, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Her parents, a brother Mike and middle son, Michael, preceded her in death.
Pallbearers will be Tommy Casey, Ernie Manske, Jace Manske, Jerry Manske, Johnny Manske, Monty Martin, Garland Medford and Eric Strand.

Honorary pallbearers will be Julie Casey, Christyne Green, Kay Perry, Donna Saffel and Pam Thigpen.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association .
Online condolences may be viewed at www.tankersleyfuneralhome.com