Kathryn M. “Kay” Alford, 84, of Chetopa, died at 9:15 a.m., Saturday, April 14, 2012 at Chetopa Manor Nursing Home.

She was born June 20, 1927 in Cordova, Alaska to Leslie Archie and Frances Marie (Butler) Dyer. As a young girl, she attended school near Wichita.

In 1961, she enrolled in a pastry-baking course in Wichita offered by the Board of Education. Through the years she was employed in food service at Wichita City Schools, Wolfe’s Cafeteria and Wichita City Hall.

She and Ronald G. Knight were married in the mid 1950’s. Following marriage, she attended Beauty College at Venus Academy in Wichita. To this union, one daughter, Teresa Ann, was born. They later divorced.

She and Vernon E. Alford were married December 4, 1971 at Maize, Kansas. In 1982, they moved to Chetopa where she had lived since. While living in Chetopa, she was involved with the Green Thumb program and also worked in food service at Chetopa schools.

She was a member of the Homemaker’s Club, the National Camper and Hiker Association, and the former Chetopa Flower Club. She enjoyed playing the organ, flower gardening, and tending to her own yard. She also studied painting and had participated in the Chetopa Community Christmas Choir.

Survivors include: One Daughter – Teresa Ann Northrop and husband, Dan Wichita, KS One Stepdaughter – Julie Bucklin New Haven, NH Two Stepsons – Harold Alford Topeka, KS Vernon Alford, Jr. Oklahoma City, OK Nine Step-Grandchildren Seven Step-Great-Grandchildren

She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Alford on September 28, 1996; and one brother, Justin Dyer.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at the Wichita Park Cemetery. Friends may call at the Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Chetopa from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Memorials are suggested to The Rotary Foundation to help in the fight of polio. These may be left at or mailed to Bath-Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 346, Chetopa, KS 67336.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.