Kathryn "Kay" Bachofer

Kathryn Ann 'Kay' Bachofer, 72, of Salina, passed away peacefully Tuesday, May 15th, at Hospice of Salina. Kay was born in Salina on December 29, 1939, to Mildred (Wallerius) and Charles T. Swedenburg. She was a high school graduate of Sacred Heart High School class of 1958 and earned her bachelor's degree in Sociology, Cum Laude from Marymount College in 1966. Kay's professional work was dedicated to children. She served as a field director for The Girl Scouts of Central Kansas Council for 10 years, as a caseworker and then Executive Director of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Salina for 14 years, and most recently as a paraprofessional at Cottonwood Elementary School. Kay was also a member of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Salina. Her energetic and nurturing spirit was well known and her numerous volunteer efforts reflected her love for the Salina community. She participated in the revitalization of the Salina Women of Achievement program and recently was awarded the Juliette Gordon Low Achievement Award established this year to honor individuals who have made significant and unique contributions to Girl Scouting. Kay is survived by her daughters; Christine (Scott) Elston, of Owasso, Oklahoma, Catherine (Mark) Gunther, of Houston, Texas, Constance (Garry) Banning, of Montgomery, Ohio, and Cynthia Bachofer, of Austin, Texas; son, Andrew Bachofer, of Salina; sisters, Charlene Meidlinger of Salina and Sue (Mike) Wilson, of Derby, Kansas; brothers, Robert (Marilyn) Swedenburg, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, John Swedenburg, of New York, New York, and James Swedenburg, of Cincinnati, Ohio; as well as grandchildren, Timothy, Kaitlyn, and Ryan Banning, Aaron and Emmett Elston, and Natalie and Abigael Gunther. Kay was preceded in death by her parents, husband Rodney and grandson, Troy Michael Banning. Cremation has been selected. The Rosary will be held at Carlson-Geisendorf Funeral Home at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 17th. The Memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Cathedral at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 18th. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cottonwood Elementary Girl Scout Scholarship Fund c/o Girl Scouts of Kansas Heartland, 360 Lexington, Wichita, Kansas 67218; Hospice of Salina, 730 Holly Lane, Salina, Kansas 67401; or the Kansas Cancer Center, 600 S. Santa Fe Ave., Ste. E, Salina, Kansas 67401. Those who knew Kay adored her and will miss her greatly.