Bessie Pauline (Kumberg) Seacat

Bessie Pauline (Kumberg) Seacat, daughter of Fred and Inez (Sundgren) Kumberg was born February 28, 1923 in Ashland, Kansas and died at the age of 98 years old on March 27, 2021 after a short illness at her home in Ashland, Kansas.

Bessie attended grade school at Sitka, Kansas and high school at Ashland, Kansas graduating in 1941.  She attended Ft. Hays State College 1941 to 1942 and then working at Cessna Aircraft in Wichita from 1942 to 1944.  She later attended Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas for a short time. Her dream was to become a concert pianist but soon decided that was too lofty a dream to make a living.

While walking home from work one day she saw a sign that stated, “Be a Marine…Free a Marine to Fight” at which time she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve and served from 1944 to 1946.

Bessie married George Owen Seacat on March 16, 1947 at the Methodist Church at Sitka, Kansas.  They lived on the Seacat farm in Lexington community until 1980 when they moved to Ashland, Kansas.

She was a member of the First Christian Church, Ashland, Kansas where she loved serving the Lord as a pianist, organist, children’s Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School superintendent.      Bessie was a wonderful homemaker, showing hospitality to many, many missionaries and friends.  She most of all was a wonderful mother and grandmother and great grandmother.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and sister Grace Redger.

Survivors include a daughter, Marilyn and husband, Gary Gooszen of Emporia, Kansas and sons Ronald and wife, Leta Seacat of Montrose, Colorado, Roger and wife, Kay Seacat of Dodge City, Kansas and Bill and wife, Tammy Seacat of Ashland, Kansas. 

Grandchildren and great-grandchildren include:

 Jennifer and husband, Craig Mueller and great-grandchild Anya of Bellingham, Washington.  Jeremy and wife, Tanya Gooszen and great-grandchildren Madison and Lucas of Emporia, Kansas.

Douglas and wife, Janelle Seacat and great grandchildren Dane, Dafne, Madeline and Mila of Montrose, Colorado.  Melissa and husband, Marshall Bender and great-grandchildren Charlotte and Daniel of Estero, Florida.

Michelle and husband, David Sloan and great-grandchildren Kahlan and Ransom of Manhattan, Kansas.  Tracy and husband, Kevin Salzman of Dodge City, Kansas.

Daniel and wife, Christi  Seacat and great-grandchildren Jordan, Logan, and Olivia of Sedgwick, Kansas. Darin and wife, Jeanette Seacat and great-grandchildren, Presley, Maci and River of Ashland, Kansas.  Dustin and wife, Kelli Seacat and great-grandchildren Ember and Easton Seacat of May, Oklahoma.