Kathryn Lorraine Guilford Ponder “changed addresses” as she would say, on July 27, 2024, to rest eternally in Heaven with her Lord and God and dearest loved ones. Her last days were especially blessed with visits from family, longtime friends, and very special caregivers, surrounding her with stories of happy memories, laughter, tears, and gratitude for her amazing life of love and care of others. Katie, as she was affectionately known by all, was born on February 28, 1936, in Chariton County, Salisbury, MO to Judge Eunice T. Guilford and LouEdna (Edwards) Guilford. Katie was the 9th of eleven children. She graduated from Salisbury High School in 1954, where she met her future husband, Edward Leroy Ponder. She was the beautiful blonde cheerleader and Ed, the handsome basketball star. They married on August 24, 1957, while students at the University of Missouri, where Katie earned her degree in 1958 from the School of Nursing.
They began their United States Air Force life adventure with Ed’s assignment in Alaska and Katie as a medical floor nurse at Elmendorf AFB 5040th Hospital. It was in Alaska that she obtained her private pilot’s license with a lifelong love of flying. She continued her nursing career at Maxwell AFB where their only child, Eddie Lee, was born. While Ed was stationed in Saudi Arabia, Katie returned to her Missouri home with “little Eddie.” Future assignments took the young family to Washington, D.C. and then on to Alconbury Joint AFB in England. It was here that Katie served as Anglo-American Chairman of the Officers’ Wives Club and was recognized with the Most Extraordinary Representative Award. Deep grief followed with the tragic death of their beloved son while at Alconbury. Upon their return to the States, Ed was stationed at the USAF Academy where Katie served as OWC president.
Katie had a smile that lit up the room. She always had a kind word or a sincere compliment for everyone she encountered, making others feel special, encouraged and loved. She found conflict and disagreement disheartening and would express simple words of wisdom, “why can’t people just love one another?” Her heart was gold, welcoming all into her home with generosity and warm hospitality. She immersed herself in the care of others, volunteering for many years with Meals on Wheels, the Golden Hills Homeowners Association and the Marian House Soup Kitchen.
Fitness and fun were important to Katie. She enjoyed waterskiing, pinochle and was a lifelong doer of the XBX Exercise Program. She and Ed enjoyed the beautiful Colorado skies in their two Cessna Skyhawks, and Classic 1947 Navion and explored roadways on their motorcycles, hers being a Honda 202. First and foremost, though, Katie loved God. She studied His Holy Word daily and lived in His Way always. She would conclude every conversation with her blessing to each, “God loves you and so do I.”
Katie is survived by her brother, James Guilford and wife, Linda, of Salisbury, MO; sisters-in-law, Mae Guilford and Inell Guilford; brother-in-law, Larry Ponder; many nieces, nephews and their children; devoted and loving friends; and her dedicated care givers. She is joyfully reunited in Heaven with her parents; her husband, Ed, of nearly 65 years; young son, Eddie Lee; along with brothers: Eunice, Jr. and wife, Veda, Granville and wife, Versa, Kenneth and wife, Norma Jean, Francis and wife, Leota, Floyd and wife, Bonnie, Charles and Phillip; and her sisters: Anita and husband, Del Watkins, and Gwendolyn and husband, Willis Linneman.
Katie’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 2650 Parish View, Colorado Springs, CO. A viewing and receiving of friends and family will be at 9:30AM followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM. The graveside service and burial in the family site will be at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Salisbury, MO on Friday, August 16, 2024, at 11:00AM. Funeral arrangements have been provided by Shrine of Remembrance Funeral Home in Colorado Springs, CO and Summerville Funeral Home in Salisbury, MO.
If you wish, memorial remembrances may be made in Katie’s honor to: The Kathryn Guilford Ponder Scholarship Fund – Sinclair School of Nursing, c/o Office of Gift Planning & Endowments, University of Missouri, 302 Reynolds Alumni Center, Columbia, MO 6521, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
God bless all who have known, loved and cared for Katie and may she rest eternally in the light and heart of God!