Kathleen Marie Cerne

July 23, 1959 - May 5, 2018

Kathleen Marie Cerne, 58, of Frontenac, KS, passed away Saturday May 5, 2018, at Freeman Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. She was born July 23, 1959, in Pittsburg, KS, to Harry and Marie (Lenassi) Cerne. She attended Frontenac schools, graduating from Frontenac High School. She earned a Bachelor degree in Communications at Emporia State University and a Juris Doctor degree from University of Missouri-Kansas City Law School in 1992. She was a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She worked as a paralegal at the National Pizza Company prior to law school. Later in her career she was a court appointed attorney for Crawford County and the Pittsburg Municipal Court. She also was a board member of Skil Resource Center and an advocate on the behalf of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Kathleen donated the legal work and expertise to help Crawford County Community Health incorporate as a Kansas corporation and non-profit, so they would be eligible for grants. She also served as a founding board member. Kathleen is survived by a niece and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Harold Cerne, and grandmother Mary Botala. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 am Thursday, May 10, 2018, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Thomas Stroot as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Mt. Carmel Catholic Cemetery. The parish rosary will be at 6:30 pm Wednesday, May 9, 2018, at Friskel Funeral Home where friends will be received following the rosary. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Kathleen Cerne Memorial Scholarship. Friends may also leave condolences online at our web site www.bathnaylor.com.