Vivian Kirkpatrick

Vivian Kirkpatrick passed away on May 16, 2018 at the age of 99.  She was known to her parents and brother, Gene, as Viv, and to her friends as Maxine, and to her grand and great- grandchildren as Mimi.

Vivian Maxine Murray was born in her maternal grandparents’ house in Westline, Missouri on December 26th, 1918, six weeks after the armistice ending World War 1, while her dad was in the Army.  The family settled in Louisburg, Kansas where her mom, Margaret and dad, Herman, worked to develop a grocery business into a thriving family endeavor.  She graduated from Louisburg High in 1936 and attended Pittsburg State College for one year, which was all the family could afford.  She married TJ Kirkpatrick in 1939 who was a measurement engineer for Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Co.  During the war years they lived in Springfield Ill., where daughter Kathy was born in 1944.  TJ was called in to the main office in Kansas City in the late forties and they settled in Prairie Village, and son Tim was born in 1949.  TJ passed away in 1971, and Maxine began a new life, entering the cable TV business with her brother Gene and other investors in Paola, Kansas.  The business grew and prospered and was sold years later, after which she moved back to the Kansas City area to be closer to family and old friends.  Maxine and Gene rejuvenated the USD 416 Endowment Association, which has provided college scholarships to students in Louisburg for decades.  Maxine was very involved in church activities, including service as a Sunday school and vacation bible school teacher, women’s circle leader, and Women of the Church board member.

Maxine remained fiercely independent, living in her own home until the age of  95, and driving her own car until 97. She had, in fact, started driving Model A Fords at the age of 12 or 13, and never had a ticket or accident her entire life!  She moved to Aberdeen Village in Olathe, Kansas in 2015, and remained there in independent living until shortly before her death.

She will be best remembered for her loving nature, good sense of humor, and devotion to family.  She was always fun to be with, and was much loved by family and friends alike.  Maxine was an avid Royals and Jayhawk fan, an accomplished pianist, loved to travel, and was quick to attempt any new challenge. Her spirit and demeanor were always positive and gracious, which simply made her pleasant to be around. She is survived by her two children, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren, whose paths through life will always be inspired by their Mimi.  Her family includes her daughter Kathy and husband Mike, and son Tim and wife Gretchen; grandchildren Scott and wife Gretchen, Kerry, Corey and wife Akara, TJ and wife Becca, and Jeremy and wife Sherry; great-grandchildren Isaac, Seth, Joshua, Ian, Kyla, Taylor, Karina, and Vivian.  Her life of 99 years was indeed remarkable for its length and commitment to family and friends.  She will forever be loved and missed by all.