Katherine Marie “Katie” Leiker, 36, and Emmett James Leiker, her unborn son, of Munjor, Kansas, died Friday, February 17, 2023, at their home.
She was born December 30, 1986, in Enid, Oklahoma, the daughter of Todd and Terry (Washtak) Smith. In 2005, she graduated from the Galena School District in Alaska, and in 2010, graduated from Magdalen College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. On January 3, 2015, she was united in marriage to Jeff Leiker in Topeka, Kansas. Katie worked for St. Francis Ministries, was a devout Catholic, and a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. She was an avid reader, writer, published author, and a talented artist at sketching and painting. This creativity flowed into special activities with her sons. She enjoyed nature, oceans, marine life, singing, acting in theater productions, and drinking tea. Family trips to zoos, museums, and historical landmarks were always special to her.
Survivors include her husband Jeff and three sons, Elliot, Ewan, and Edward Leiker of the home in Munjor, her parents, Todd and Terry Smith of Nebraska City, NE, a brother, Ben Smith and wife Breeana of Vacaville, CA, a sister, Betsy Sharp of Syracuse, NE, and a niece Olivia.
Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 am on Friday, February 24, 2023, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Hays, Kansas. Private family inurnment will be at a later date. Visitation will be from 5:00 pm until 8:00 on Thursday and from 9:00 am until 9:45 on Friday, all at Hays Memorial Chapel Funeral Home. A vigil service and rosary will be at 6:30 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.
Memorials are suggested and payable to St. Joseph Catholic Church or to St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Munjor. Condolences and memories of Katie may be shared with her family at www.haysmemorial.com