Stella Kim

Stella L Kim, 84, of Olathe, KS passed away on Sunday Oct. 11th following a sudden illness.
Stella was born Aug 10, 1931 in Cannon Falls, MN to Robert and Stella Terwilliger. She was the youngest of four children. Stella learned about life's lessons while growing up on the family's dairy farm. She walked uphill in 10 foot drifts of snow to school and returned home trudging through 15 foot drifts, uphill all the way.
She attended St. Catherine's Woman's College in Minneapolis/St Paul, MN. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Occupational Therapy and worked at the V.A. Medical Center in Denver, CO.
While at Denver, she met a young, aspiring internal medicine physician: Yong Whan Kim. They were married on Aug 20, 1955 despite the difficulties that their choice presented during an era immediately following the Korean War. Their matrimony was frowned upon culturally and severely opposed by several members of their families. Yet their marriage flourished in the face of these challenges and they proved to be pioneers for true love. They moved to Paola, KS where they celebrated the birth of their first of four children over the next five and a half years.
They moved to Concordia, KS where they stayed for 14 years. In 1975, the family relocated to Topeka, KS. They lived there for 20+ years. Stella was a warm and loving wife and mother, who devoted herself to her family. Her children were given the life every child dreams of; skinned knees, pollywogs, horses, dogs, dance lessons, piano lessons, pompoms, dinners together, and college educations! Stella and Yong made a good team, as parents and lifelong partners.
Both Stella and Yong have enjoyed their senior years at Santa Marta Retirement Community in Olathe, KS. They made many friends through bowling, water aerobics, bridge, crafting and shared meals.
Throughout her life Stella's love and interests were very broad and diverse. These included collecting souvenirs from nature: flowers drift wood, rocks etc. to painting beautiful flowers on porcelain china. Her main focus and love was her husband and children.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Stella Terwilliger; her sister Gweneth Pagel; and her brother Clifford Terwilliger.
She is survived by her husband of 60 years Dr. Yong Kim M.D.; son- Byron and wife Debra Kim; daughter- Deborah Fulkerson; son- David and wife Cyndy Kim; and daughter – Leysa Kim. Nine grandchildren: Miles Kim, Allison and husband Andrew Fonk, John Fulkerson, Sarah Fulkerson, Ryan and wife Elizabeth Kim, Scott Kim, Aaron Amador, Elyzabeth Amador, and Olivia Amador. And one brother, Nahum Terwilliger.
Family requests flowers can be arranged through Jennifer's Flowers and Events (913)498-1833. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Santa Marta Assisted Living Memorial Garden 13800 W 116th Olathe, KS 66062-7849
Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Fri Oct. 16th at St. Aiden's Episcopal Church, Olathe, KS. Visitation from 12:30 to 1p.m.. Burial at Pleasant Valley Cemetery.


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