Kathryn Cordell

Kathryn “Kathy” (Forssberg) Cordell of El Dorado, Kansas, died December 14, 2023, at home with family following an extended hospital stay. Kathy was a longtime resident of the Kelso community near Council Grove. She was born February 19, 1940, in Stockton, Kansas, to Edwin and Emilie (Vogel) Forssberg. Kathy graduated from Stockton High School in 1957, and attended Kansas State University, graduating with a B.S. degree in Home Economics.

At K-State she met Larry Cordell, the love of her life, and they were married for 61 years before his passing in February 2023. They had two children, Vickie and Bret. The family lived in Illinois from 1964 until they first moved to Council Grove in 1970, with a relocation to Burlington, Kansas, from 1972 to 1974. Both Kathy and Larry loved living in the country and when they returned to the Council Grove area in 1974 they settled on a farm north of the Council Grove Reservoir.

Kathy was devoted to her family and especially took care of Larry during his long hospitalization and early disability retirement following injuries he sustained in an automobile accident in 1970.

Kathy was active in 4-H in her youth and as an adult volunteered with the Busy Workers 4-H Club. She was also a county co-leader for the 4-H Horticulture project and assisted with the county Dairy Goat project.

Kathy loved gardening both vegetables and flowers. She was an avid reader and baker and was known for her gift plates of Christmas cookies and peanut brittle. She was also passionate about her many cats through the years.

Kathy is survived by her daughter Vickie Cordell (Patrick Byrd) of El Dorado, KS; son Bret Cordell of Paola, KS; grandson Greg Cordell (Sarah) of St. Augustine, FL; great-grandson Felix Cordell, and her beloved cats BB, Summer, and Sammy.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Larry; her brother, Kenneth Forssberg, and an infant brother.

Visitation will be held January 19, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm at Sawyer Funeral Home, Council Grove, KS. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the Morris County 4-H Foundation and sent in care of Sawyer Funeral Home, PO Box 273, Council Grove, KS. 66846.