Kenneth “Ken” Lynn Hathaway

Kenneth “Ken” Lynn Hathaway, 77, of Winfield, died April 27, 2023, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Ken was born August 23, 1945, to Addison “Add” and Helen (Nix) Hathaway in Garden City, Kansas. He was the middle of three sons. Ken was raised in Hugoton, Kansas and graduated from Hugoton High School in 1963. He was involved in Boy Scouts and became an Eagle Scout, played high school sports, and worked at his parents’ Culligan Softwater business. Ken went on to Southwestern College, majoring in biology and playing college tennis. He graduated in 1967.
Ken married Janet “Jan” Heersche on June 11, 1967. They first lived in Linwood, where Ken taught high school science. After feeling a call to ministry, Ken left teaching and enrolled in St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, KS. He graduated with his Masters of Divinity in 1971. Ken went on to serve United Methodist churches in communities across Kansas, including Linwood, Edgerton, Wellington, Herrington, Burdick, Great Bend, Johnson City, Wichita, and Liberal. He and Jan also spent three years as missionaries at McCurdy School in Espanola, New Mexico. Ken was a warm and welcoming pastor and cherished his congregations. He served as a United Methodist pastor for 40 years.
Ken and Jan were the parents of two daughters, Joy and Robin. They also cared for 50 foster children over the years, most of them newborns. Ken was delighted to become a grandfather and was a wonderful “Poppy” to Katherine, Rachel, Blake, Orion, and Amanda. Ken and Jan retired in 2008 and moved to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Ken was active in Grace United Methodist Church, volunteered at Camp Horizon, and led Bible studies and other prison ministries at the Winfield Correctional Facility. Ken volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and was proud to have helped build homes for needy families. Ken enjoyed traveling and visited all 50 states and 14 other countries. He loved church camping, serving as a counselor for many camps over the years, including leading groups of youth to hike the Grand Canyon and canoe the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Ken read widely, loved watching sports, had a passion for nature, and enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s activities.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Gary Hathaway and Doyle Hathaway.
He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Jan Hathaway, of Winfield, his daughters, Joy Lenz (Steve) of Winfield and Robin Sommer (Brandon) of Wichita, and five grandchildren, Katherine Lenz, Rachel Lenz, Blake Sommer, Orion Sommer, and Amanda Sommer. He is also survived by a sister-in-law, several cousins, and many nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service for Ken will be held May 27, 2023, at 10:00 at Grace United Methodist Church in Winfield, Kansas. Private inurnment will take place at a later date.
Memorials have been established in Ken’s name for the Winfield Area Habitat for Humanity and for the Southwestern College Builder’s Fund. Contributions may be made through Miles Funeral Service.