Kendall Mae Ottley, age 75, of rural WaKeeney, Kansas, died Friday, March 22, 2019, at Wesley Medical Center, Wichita, Ks. She was born July 19, 1943 in Garden City, Kansas to Kenneth Durant and Ollie Mae (Slawson) Durant.

Kendall attended schools in Holcomb, Russell Springs, and graduated with her senior class in Monument, Kansas from Monument Consolidated High School in 1961. On April 20, 1963, she was united in marriage to William (Bill) A. Ottley at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Oakley, Kansas. Bill and Kendall’s married life began in Oakley, where Kendall worked as a telephone operator. They moved to Scott County when Bill found a job working for a farmer/rancher there and eventually they owned their own farm in Scott County.

In 1974, Bill, Kendall, and their family moved to WaKeeney. There they owned and operated their own farm operation raising crops and cattle. Kendall was involved in day to day farm operations and decisions, calving season was one of her favorites, as was summer wheat harvest. Kendall was a bus driver for USD 208 for many years and enjoyed meeting the children every morning and afternoon. Kendall & Bill owned/operated the Sprint Mart store for 14 years where she made many friends and loved the public. One of Kendall’s favorite hobbies was to read. She could sit and read for hours. She also loved to sew, and made all of her daughter’s clothes and clothing for her granddaughters. Kendall was involved in the Catholic Church and the alter society for many years. She worked part-time at the hospital auxiliary, the public library, and enjoyed working at the WaKeeney Livestock Sale Barn. Kendall’s proudest moments were of her children and her grandchildren. She followed her kids’ events and lives in just about everything they did.

Kendall’s grandchildren were so special to her. She spent time with them helping them to learn to sew and bake for 4-H, and hardly ever missed a sporting event. Teaching life lessons on the farm was where you would usually find her. Her favorite saying was “Hard work never hurt anyone”, and you had better pitch in or she would hand deliver you to a chore that needed done.

Her family includes two children, Tamera Mae (Ottley) Riedel & Glenn of WaKeeney, Ks., William John Ottley & Laura of Wichita, Ks.; five grandchildren, Courtney (Riedel) Berning & Braxton of WaKeeney, Ks., Cindy (Riedel) Hilgers & Ricky of Ogallah, Ks., Catie Riedel, Hays, Ks., Clayton Riedel, WaKeeney, Ks., Nicole (Ottley) Sherfick & Dylan of WaKeeney, Ks.; three great-grandchildren, Briant Berning, Brodie Berning, and Colton Sherfick all of WaKeeney, Ks. and identical twins due in June; two sisters, Kathy Wessel of Scott City, Ks., Janet Smith of Yukon, OK., two brothers, Bob Durant, Oakley, Ks., and Steven Durant, Omaha, NE. Many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews that she dearly enjoyed.

Kendall was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth Hand Durant and Ollie Mae (Slawson) Durant.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 6, 2019 at Schmitt Funeral Home, in WaKeeney, Ks.

There will be no visitation as cremation was chosen.

In Lieu of Flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Christ the King Church (for building improvements) or WaKeeney Public Library.

Donations made to the organization may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 N. 12th St., WaKeeney, Kansas 67672.