Kathryn Grahn Obituary

Kathryn Fay (Karn) Grahn, a life-long resident of Prowers County, passed into her heavenly home on June 18, 2025, at the age of 95. Kathryn was born on September 13, 1929, in Kaw City, Oklahoma, to Lewis and Wilma (Harding) Karn. She spent the majority of her childhood and adult life on or near the family ranch which her grandmother homesteaded in the early 1900's.
Most of Kathryn's elementary schooling was at Star School south of Granada and a 3-mile horseback ride from the 7K Ranch. (Kathryn, her twin brother, and two sisters rode one horse). After graduating from Lamar High School and attending Lamar Community College for a year, she married her lifelong sweetheart, Lars Alexander Grahn, on November 27, 1949, making their home a mile from the ranch headquarters.
Together they farmed, ranched, and raised five children. Kathryn enjoyed everything about ranching, focusing on caring for the cattle while Lars focused on the farming but always working together. Riding horses was also a lifetime joy until her sons finally sold the last horse on the ranch when she was in her 80's. She loved to recall the years of herding thousands of turkeys on horseback with her siblings when the cattle market fell off and the family had to find another source of income. They would move them over the pastures often setting up camp overnight if they were too far from home by nightfall. When her own children were still at home, she enjoyed the 20-mile horseback rides with family moving cattle to summer pastures then home again in the fall. She never seemed to tire of calving season, and long winter months of feeding and caring for the cattle often doctoring them herself and getting her nose broke twice as she was milking wild cows!
Kathryn had a passion for telling others about her faith. She taught Good News Clubs and Sunday School classes form many years telling children of Jesus' life, death and resurrection leading many to faith in Christ, including many of her own grandchildren.
She and Lars served on the Child Evangelism Fellowship Committee for Southeast Colorado and were active in Star Community Church. Many of their family and friends have beautiful memories of Lars and Kathryn reading their Bible and praying for others at the breakfast table every morning.
Kathryn worked outside the home driving the school bus to Granada and working in the kitchen at Granada School even after her own children were grown. Lars and Kathryn moved to Lamar for a few years where she worked at a small clothing shop. They moved back to the farm and eventually to the 7K Ranch home place in 1997, where she lived until her death. Kathryn enjoyed gardening, canning fruits and vegetables, hunting, sewing, tending her rose garden and bird watching – learning to identify many species that migrated through the ranch. She most loved being a wife, mom, grandmother, great grandmother and aunt. She and Lars especially enjoyed visits from their family, often hosting gatherings of 30 – 50 people when all the 'kids' (friends of kids, cousins, nieces, nephews, etc.) came home. The grandkids especially enjoyed Grandma Kathryn's signature cinnamon rolls that were a staple at the Grahn home.
Throughout her lifetime Katheryn had an adventurous spirit. Her love of travel and adventure didn't diminish as she grew older. A few of her notable adventures were riding a horse at 90 years young, relishing the thrill of going down an ice slide, and riding a side-by-side with Matthew never admonishing him to slow down. She was so happy to be able to travel to Florida three times. She loved the ocean! On her last trip to Florida, she was able to revisit many places she remembered going to when she was young girl. She clearly remembered names of places and was able to share many memories with her family that was with her.
Kathryn had one last travel adventure to experience. She was to be flown to Colorado Springs by helicopter but at first the weather didn't seem like a flight was possible. Even though she was in pain and not feeling well at all she was giddy with excitement when she knew she would take that trip in a helicopter and during a storm! Kathryn was fearless.
Kathryn is survived by her five children; LaVerne (Leda) Grahn, Lamar, CO, Cheryl (David) Stoeger, Torrington, WY, Lars (Bonni) Grahn, Two Buttes, CO, Kathy (Dennis) Jordan, Springfield, CO, Mona (Keith) Parker, Colorado Springs, CO.
Eighteen beloved grandchildren: Matthew (Chelsie) Grahn, Mark (Chantel) Hall, Mendi (Trevor) Choat, Melony Hatchett, Natalie (Danny) Gifford, Joshua Stoeger, (Alaina Davison), Matthew Stoeger, Abby Wells, Edison Stoeger, Lars LaVerne (Kelly) Grahn, Paul Grahn (Brandy Nordyke). Jessica (Jesse) Schrepel, Grac (Matt) Pawliuk, Casandra (Steven) Richardson, Dallas Jordan, Joshua Jordan, Ryan Parker, Sybrina Parker.
Twenty-nine awesome great-grandchildren: Zaren & Zavely Grahn, Tatum, Porter & Conley Hall, Chelsea Halll, Alexandra (Isaac) Tate, Kaitlin Hall, Colin Hatchett, Madison, Braely, Cooper & Hadley Gifford, Ami Stoeger, Aria & Liam Stoeger, Sydney Kathryn Wells. Lars Alexander & Talon Grahn, Dusty & Shelby Nordyke, Hason Schrepel, Kathryn & Jon Pawliuk, Archer, Xander, Janika & Izabel Richardson, Myra Jordan.
Four amazing great-great-grandchildren: Sophia Melgosa, Brently Hall, Saylor & Kameron Tate.
Her sister-in-law Diana Baxter along with many beloved nieces and nephews.
Kathryn was preceded in death by her sweetheart of 71 years, Lars, her parents Lewis & Wilma Karn, her parents-in-law, Ole & Mary Grahn, her twin brother Kermit, her sisters and in-laws Dora & Ji Caudill, Nola & Jack Shoemaker, Martin & Berniece Grahn, Dwayne Baxter and her dearly loved granddaughter Amy Birchler and great-granddaughter Amaris Grahn.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship to honor Kathryn's passion for children to hear the Gospel.
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