Kathleen Ellen West

Kathleen Ellen West, 61, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018, in Mercy Hospital, Springfield, after a sudden illness. She was born Oct. 15, 1956, in Wichita, KS, to June (Stephens) and Larry West, both of El Dorado Springs.

Kathleen attended kindergarten in Wichita and 1st through 3rd grade in Billings, MT. She attended school in El Dorado Springs from 4th Grade through her EHS High School graduation in 1974. She attended SMS, in Springfield where she was awarded her BA in Social Work in 1979, and then went to Houston, TX, where she worked for several years. When she passed, she was employed by Compass Health as an Integrated Health Specialist at the Missouri Psychiatric and Rehabilitation Center in El Dorado Springs.

Kathleen was known for her style and grace and her witty charm. She had a great sense of humor and her co-workers commented on how they loved to hear her laugh. She had a great joy for life and was passionate about all people and helping anyone less fortunate than herself. She loved all animals. Her cats, Bunni, Mutt and Blackie were her pampered babies, as were her dogs, Jackson, Cubby, Tesse and Lilly. She loved to read, watch sports and murder mysteries on TV and putter around her home. She enjoyed cooking, especially baking. Her cheesecakes were legendary.

Kathleen was preceded in death by her mother, June, in 1990, and several aunts and uncles. She is survived by the love of her life, Mike Norman, her very best friend and significant other; her father, Larry West (Carolyn), El Dorado Springs; her brother, Kirk West (Diann), Chesterfield; nephew, Adam West (Lauren), of St. Louis; niece, Sarah West Vols (Kyle), North Platte, NE; brother, Brad West, El Dorado Springs; one aunt, Sharon West Lansing (Jim Hargrave), El Dorado Springs; one cousin, Jeana D. Ochnser, El Dorado Springs; along with several other cousins and relatives. She is also survived by her very dear friend from 4th grade to present date, Rhonda Shellhorn Friar, her friend Linda Beaty, as well as many others. Kathleen will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew her.

Services for Kathleen West were held on Sunday, Aug. 26, in Bland-Hackleman Chapel with Rev. Brent Bland officiating. Burial followed in the El Dorado Springs City Cemetery under the direction of Bland-Hackleman Funeral Home.

Pallbearers were Allen Hicks, Terry Peters, Ronnie Whitesell, David Sibley, Kirk Sibley and Ron Swopes.

Memorial donations may be made to a no-kill animal shelter and left at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be left at www.blandhackleman.com.