January 24, 2024, Katie Gillum, 87, of Cape Fair Missouri passed away peacefully surrounded by many of her beloved family members following a short stay at Cox Medical Center South. That afternoon, she joined her daughter Patricia George and her son Lonnie Ray Viles in heaven. Katie was also preceded in death by her loved ones including Charles Robert Gillum Sr., John McGrew, Albert Viles. Katie also joins her parents, Charley High, and Emily (Tharp) High as well as her siblings; Jerri Viles, Jesse Jennings, Vernon Tharp High, and Donnie High in the celebratory afterlife.

Born in Fairdealing (Ripley County) Missouri on July 23, 1936. Katie carried that rural midwestern spirit throughout her life, mostly spent in the Topeka and Osage County areas of Kansas where she ran a farm, a tavern, and a family in a way that showed all around her just how to love with your whole heart. A feisty woman with the grit and determination to stand up to the toughest person in any room, she always cared deeply about the golden rule of treating everyone the way you would want to be treated.

A person who loved without condition and judgment, she was the perfect combination of spunk mixed with a loving heart that would extend grace and forgiveness along with a few quirky words of wisdom to live by. During her final chapters living her retirement years out in Cape Fair, Missouri, you may have seen Katie trolling the lake neighborhood in a golf cart, sitting on the dock, or going for boat rides with her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids.

While the woman had the work ethic to make anyone feel as if they may be falling behind, she knew how to equally enjoy the small things. She loved Taco Tuesdays and evenings by the Lake. The rolling hills of a rural scenery and the changing fall leaves. Sending sticks of gum inside greeting cards to her loved ones and beating her own solitaire records were some of her favorite pastimes.

She is survived by one child, Charles (Rob) Gillum, Jr., and his wife Jami. Her grandchildren: Jeremy Bowers (Ivy), Katie Bowers, Brandon Bowers, Tara Mays (Aaron), Myra Gillum, and Evan Gillum (Ryan), ten great-grandchildren, as well as siblings: Bertha Hurt, Charles High, Nita Crable, and Earlene High.

Celebrations of Katie’s legacy are planned on February 16^th at 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Eagles Lodge at o 8089 State Highway 76 Cape Fair, Mo, and the family will also receive guests on February 17^th from 3:00pm to 6:00pm at Jefferson’s Topeka, 2915 SW Wanamaker, Capital Room Basement in Topeka, KS. Katie will be buried alongside her late husband Charles Robert Gillum Sr., near Valley Falls at Spring Grove Cemetery.