Katherine L. Kresse

Katherine Louise (Jewell) Tompkins Kresse, age 79, of Sunrise Beach, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, on St. Patrick’s Day. She was born on August 29, 1946, in Kansas City, Missouri, the daughter of the late Arthur Lee and Mary Ellen (Hicks) Jewell. Kathy grew up in Northeast Kansas City. She graduated from Northeast High School and later worked as a candy striper at a local hospital and the renowned Harold’s Dairy Supreme in NE Kansas City. After graduation, she soon moved to Key West, Florida, where her husband was stationed at the Naval Air Base, after returning stateside from the Vietnam war. Eventually, they moved back home to Kansas City. Kathy and her new husband, Keith Kresse, lived in Liberty, Missouri, from 1975 to 2005. When they both retired, they moved to Sunrise Beach, Missouri, to the Lake of the Ozarks. Kathy attended Penn Valley Community College, Maple Woods Community College, and William Jewell College. She worked at Hallmark Cards for many years, Liberty Middle School, and the Clay County, Missouri Juvenile Justice System. She was also a youth group leader for her church and a church camp counselor for a week each summer for middle and high school students for many years. She loved them as much as they loved her. Kathy cherished her family, helping others, genealogy research, vegetable and flower gardening, camping, and traveling. In the early 80s, she embarked on a mission trip to Africa, making lifelong friends and creating cherished memories. Throughout her life, Kathy ensured that her family gathered to celebrate holidays and birthdays, planning and cooked elaborate meals, ensuring each event was enjoyable and memorable. She is survived by her husband, Keith Kresse, and her children. Son, Shawn Tompkins (Lori) Garnett, Kansas, Daughter, Kimberly Tompkins-Frick (Jeff), Smithville, Missouri, Granddaughters Kati Tompkins Beggs (Tim) Roeland Park, Kansas, Kara Tompkins Ozuna (Daniel), Reno, Nevada, Jenny Frick Carpenter (Ben), Hollister, Missouri, Grandsons Kyle Tompkins (Emily), Olathe, Kansas and Jake Frick, Smithville, Missouri. Two great-grandsons Damon Tompkins and Ezekial Ozuna. Two great-granddaughters Lucy and Lilli Carpenter. Sisters Joyce Jewell Fulps, Kansas City, Missouri and Martha Jewell Atchley, Buckner, Missouri. Brother Arthur Lee Jewell (Melinda), Liberty, Missouri. Numerous brother and sister in laws, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, her in-laws, Everett and Lillian Kresse, Bruce Tompkins, her former husband, sisters-in-laws Rita Kresse and Cindy Jewell, brothers-in-laws Karl Kresse, Daryl Kresse, Jim Atchley, and Walter Fulps, Sr. Per her wishes, cremation is under the care and direction of the Kidwell-Garber Laurie/Sunrise Beach Chapel. Private Celebration of life services will be scheduled at a later date.

Katherine L. Kresse

August 29, 1946 - March 17, 2026

About Us

What We Do

Contact KG/Locations

Grief & Healing

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Resources

Contact Information

Katherine L. Kresse

August 29, 1946 - March 17, 2026

About Us

What We Do

Contact KG/Locations

Grief & Healing

Plan Ahead

Obituaries

Resources

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support