Catherine Richards Obituary

Catherine Jane (Scott) Richards, 88, of Baldwin City, KS died peacefully on September 22, 2012 at the Baldwin Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in the arms of family.
She and her twin sister, Sarah Jean, were born April 22, 1924 at the family home on West Fourth, Garnett, KS to Henry Kip Scott and Lillian (Archer) Scott. Jane, or Joan/Jo, as she was known during her childhood and teenage years, graduated in 1942 from Garnett High School. She entered the University of Kansas as a Watkins Scholar, and in 1944 moved to Los Angeles to study at UCLA and work as a draftsman. In 1948, she completed a bachelor's degree in Humanities, with an emphasis in architecture, in the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University. Her first job after graduation was with Temperature Engineering in Kansas City, MO, where she was the sole female drafting engineer.
Jane married Dean D. "Tutt" Richards, Jr., on March 25, 1950. They lived with their growing family in Baldwin City, Kansas City, MO, Prairie Village, KS and Omaha, NE before returning to Baldwin in 1956 to co- own and operate The Baldwin Ledger and The Wellsville Globe. From 1958 to 1974, Jane was the managing editor of The Ledger and, after 1965, when she and Dean established a controlled circulation newspaper for Eudora, The Eudora Enterprise. She also wrote a weekly column for The Ledger, "On the Street." Following the sale of Baldwin Publications, Jane worked as interim editor of The Hoisington (Kansas) Dispatch and The Claflin (Kansas) Clarion, then joined Baker University as Director of Information Services, a position she held until 1988. After departing from Baker, Jane worked as Archivist for the Franklin County Historical Society, Ottawa, KS, where she conducted genealogy research, contributed to publications, and gave tours.
A 25-year member of the Kansas Press Women (KPW), as well as a past officer and member of the KPW Board of Directors, Jane was named Top Woman Editor in Kansas three times, received eight first- place awards from the KPW in news editing, writing, layout, and features, and received a first-place award from the National Federation of Press Women in the special editions of weekly newspapers category. Other journalism and publication honors included Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics-Sports Information Directors (NAIA-SIDA) awards. Baker University also named her an honorary alumna.
Jane was exceptionally engaged with her community and the activities of her children. Her professional and civic awards include citations for public service from Rotary International, the American Legion, Business and Professional Women, the Parent-Teachers Association, the Baldwin City Jaycees, and the Baldwin City Chamber of Commerce. She was a two-term member and former president of the Baldwin City School Board, USD 348, a board member of
the East Central Kansas Cooperative in Education, a past president and life member of the Baldwin City PTA, a member and past president of Chapter CK of PEO, and a member of the Baldwin City Council, the Baldwin Library Board of Trustees, the Douglas County Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Franklin County Historical Society, the Hestia Study and Tuesday Reading clubs of Baldwin City, and the Baldwin Biddies. She was also a Boy Scout den mother, and the mother of four and the grandmother of two Eagle Scouts.
Jane was an ardent gardener, landscaper, interior decorator, photographer, reader, family genealogist, and seamstress. She was a devoted member of the First United Methodist Church in Baldwin and, later, the Episcopal Church in Ottawa, KS. She greatly enjoyed singing and listening to music, watching movies, swimming, and caring for wild and abandoned animals, as well as the many dogs and cats that she and her husband welcomed into their home. She also made the best potato salad on the planet. Above all else, Jane was a loyal and caring mother and grandmother, who considered her children her greatest treasures.
Jane is survived by her husband of 62 years, Dean, a resident at the Baldwin Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center; her six children and their spouses: Dr. Dean Richards III and Nancy, Leawood, KS; Nancy Jane Richards, Oakham, MA; Susan Richards Johnson and Karl Johnson, Kansas City, MO; Scott Richards and Terrie, Lakewood, CO; John Richards and Nancy, Baldwin City; and Kip Richards and Denise, Overland Park, KS; twelve grandchildren; four great- grandchildren; and an elder brother, Bill, of California. She was preceded in death by her parents, her twin sister, her elder sister, and her elder twin brothers.
A memorial Service will be held Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Baldwin City, followed by interment at the Garnett Cemetery.
The family would like to extend its profound appreciation to the staff of Baldwin Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center for their loving and seemingly tireless care of our mother during her stay there, and to the Good Shepherd Hospice for the comprehensive and sensitive care they extended to our mother and her family during her final hours.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to Baker University for a scholarship, the details of which will be announced at a later date.
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