Katherine Nianne Mohlstrom, 83, of Winfield, KS quietly slipped away in the ICU after complications from emergency surgery on October 24, 2020 at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis in Wichita.  She passed as her son and daughters said their goodbyes while her daughter, Carla sang their favorite songs and carols through Facetime from California.

A Celebration of her life will be announced and held at a later date when the COVID-19 virus is better controlled and safe for family travel.

Memorials have been established for Cowley County Historical Society and Museum as well as the Southwestern College Gertrude Hankins Scholarship for Women. Contributions may be made through Miles Funeral Service.

Nianne was born July 6, 1937 in Winfield to James E. and Phyllis E. Nichols, of Burden, KS. She attended New Salem Elementary School and graduated from Winfield High School in 1955. She obtained a Music and Liberal Arts degree from Southwestern College '59 and was united in marriage to Carl Donald Mohlstrom, August 24, 1958. After graduation from Southwestern, the couple moved to Dallas, TX while Don attended SMU Seminary, and Nianne took on the role of a United Methodist Minister's wife and taught Elementary and Middle School music in Arlington, TX. Their first Church appointment was UM Hurst, TX followed by FUM East Heights, Wichita, KS; FUM Garden Grove, CA; FUM Riverside, CA; Edge Park UM Fort Worth, TX; and College Hill UM Wichita, KS.

Nianne, a lifelong Democrat worked tirelessly for Fair Housing, various campaigns and women's reproductive rights. She received her certification as a Rape Crisis Counselor in '73 while working in Riverside at Concern Health Center, founded by her and her husband, Don. Later she was a certified contract specialist for the Army Corps of Engineers in Ft. Worth, while living in Arlington, and later became the Wedding Coordinator for College Hill UM in Wichita.

Music was always her passion. She enjoyed her performances in her high school musical: Winfield's My Home, and Southwestern College Operas, singing the soprano roll in "Bartered Bride" in '57.  In '58, she played the character Adele in "Die Fledermaus" by Johann Strauss. While living in Riverside, she was in the Riverside Chorale and sang the soprano role in two major works: "Elijah" and Hayden's "Creation". She also had the soprano solo in Verdi's Requiem for the LA County Master Chorale, 1981. Wherever they were living, she always got involved in several community musical groups, especially with children and youth. Throughout her life, Nianne was a choir member of every church for which they were appointed or wherever she attended.  She was well known for her beautiful soprano voice. Her final church home was First United Methodist, Winfield, when she moved back home in 2011. She was still singing in the church choir until the COVID-19 virus closed her church in April. She also sang soprano as a member of the Southwestern Community Choral Singers during this same time.

Nianne served on the Boards of the AFS, Para Ninos, Children's Home Society, and the Parent-Teacher Advisory Council while in Riverside. Most recently she served on The Board of Cowley County Historical Society and Museum, serving as President, and held various offices as well as worked as a busy volunteer. She was active on the Board of Village East Homeowners Association, an active member and officer in P.E.O. Winfield Chapter CU, transferring from a Wichita Chapter. She was an avid supporter of Winfield Community Theatre and Southwestern Musical Theater. She loved traveling to Santiago, Chile, on several occasions to visit her son, Eric and granddaughter, Josefina as well as visiting her daughters and friends in California. She also enjoyed the good times taking many trips with her friend and life partner, Don Potter and his family.

She loved her monthly events with her College Hill Church Builders Sunday School dinner group, lunches with the Retired Pastors wives and friends and her weekly coffee group at College Hill coffee until the COVID-19 virus shut down her community. She was a big presence at every social occasion whether it was with family friends or her beloved community.

Her parents Phyllis and Jim; her husband Don Mohlstrom; and her companion, Don Potter preceded her in death.

She is survived by her daughters, Donanne Kasikci (Ali), Los Angles, CA; Carla Mohlstrom (fiancè, Tom Tgovanis) South Pasadena, CA; son, Eric Mohlstrom who sadly passed away shortly after in November 2020 in Los Angeles while receiving cancer treatment; a granddaughter, Josefina A. Mohlstrom (Cruz), Santiago, Chile; sister Sue Simmons Bossi (Tom), Winfield; brother Stan Nichols (Mary), Winfield; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.