Martha "Kathryn" Ralston

Martha Kathryn Ralston (“Kathryn”)

February 14, 1926 – February 12, 2026

Martha Kathryn Ralston, lovingly known as Kathryn, passed away peacefully at home on February 12, 2026, in Derby, Kansas, just two days shy of her 100th birthday. She was born on February 14, 1926, in Wichita, Kansas, to William “Tom” T. Lacy and Bertha Katrina Lacy (Larson).

Kathryn spent most of her life in Wichita, where she built a legacy of strength, generosity, learning, and deep compassion for both people and animals.

She worked as a social worker and earned her Master of Social Work degree, something she was immensely proud of. Her love of learning never faded. She even returned to WSU in her late 70s as a classroom auditor simply for the joy of it, and is remembered for saying, “If you’re not learning, you’re dying.”

Kathryn married Don Ward Ralston in 1952. They shared 54 years before his passing.

She was a devoted mother to Mary Kathryn Ralston, Martha Donn Freeman, and Harold “Harry” Ward Ralston (Harold preceded her in death in 1997).

Strong, intelligent, and fiercely independent, Kathryn had an incredible work ethic and a strong belief in helping people and animals in need and quietly did so whenever she could.

She had a lifelong passion for music, playing piano and organ, had a talent for playing by ear, and ensured her love of music was passed down to her kids and grandkids. She loved all kinds of music, going to concerts even in her 80’s.

Kathryn loved flowers and rocks, and traveling to New Mexico collecting Native American artifacts.

She adored animals of every kind. She fed raccoons, cared for injured wildlife and once joked that when she got to heaven, she hoped to work in the department that paints markings on animals.

She believed in God and carried her faith sincerely.

She is survived by her children Mary Kathryn Ralston and Martha Donn Freeman, and grandchildren Becky (James) Ralston-Borden, Jen (Christy) Kozushko, Kaylie (Pedro) Galindo, Khloe (Levi) Burton, and numerous great-grandchildren.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband Don, her beloved son Harold, her parents, all of her siblings, Vernon, William, Geneva, Leroy, Harold, Thomas, James, Donald, her dear best friend of 55 years, Vickye Steffan, and many friends and loved ones. She often shared how deeply she missed her mother.

Kathryn loved the following poem, which brought her comfort, and she would want this shared with everyone:

“To Those I Love and Those Who Love Me”

Now I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do. You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears; be thankful for our beautiful years. I gave you my love and you can only guess how much you gave to me in happiness. I thank you for the love that you have shown, but now it’s time I traveled on alone. So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must, then let your grief be comforted by trust. It’s only for a time that we must part, so bless the memories within your heart. I won’t be far away, for life goes on, and if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near, and if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear all my love around you soft and clear. And then, when you must come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and say, “Welcome Home.”

Graveside services will take place Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery in Derby, Kansas.

Memorial donations may be made in Kathryn’s honor to the Kansas Humane Society.