Kathy Kay Bernhardt Hubbard, 64, passed peacefully from this life at her home on Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2016, in Wellington, Kansas.

She was born Nov. 26, 1951, to Theodore and Adeline Bernhardt in Herington, Kansas. On Dec. 16, 1951, Kathy received the gift of holy baptism.

Kathy received her undergraduate degree from Emporia State University and her master’s degree from Wichita State University.

Kathy was a woman of strong faith, dedicated to the Lutheran church. She also had a passion for education and touched many lives through her 41-year teaching career, 30 of those years spent as a third grade teacher at Eisenhower Elementary in Wellington.

She was honored as a teacher with the Richard LeMaster Outstanding Teacher Award, the Wellington GEM and NEA awards, and was a Golden Apple nominee.

Kathy lived life to the fullest and will be remembered for her unwavering faith, love for her family and friends, her thank you cards, party planning abilities, and her cheerleader spirit.

Her father, Ted Bernhardt, and her grandparents preceded her in death.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 31 years, Carl Hubbard; her mother, Adeline Bernhardt; brother, Barney Bernhardt and wife Linda; daughter, Jennifer Rusk and husband Mitch; daughter, DeeAnna Stout and husband Chris; son, Clinton Hubbard; grandchildren, Chandler Rusk, Kelsey Rusk, Gabrielle Stout, and Perl Lintecum; sister-in-law, Donna Hubbard; two aunts, cousins, and many nieces and nephews; and devoted best friends Paul and Diane Ring and their daughters, Melinda and Megan.

The family wishes to thank the staff of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America and Rivercross Hospice, as well as many friends that graciously gave their care and support over the past three years.