Kathy Pokorny, age 75, passed away peacefully at her home on January 12, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.
Kathy was born on June 16, 1950, in Pawnee City, Nebraska, to Hollis and Edis (Sheik) Winchell. She was raised in Pawnee City and graduated from Pawnee City High School, where she discovered a lifelong love of golf and was a proud member of the cheer team.
After high school, Kathy attended Kansas State University before moving to Lincoln, Nebraska. It was there that she began her longtime career in banking and met the love of her life. Kathy was united in marriage to Allen Pokorny on August 21, 1971, in Rulo, Nebraska.
Kathy and Allen lived in several communities before settling in Kansas, where they raised their family. Together they welcomed three daughters: Ashley, Kyra, and Kelsey. The family made their home in Axtell, Kansas, where Kathy worked alongside her family at The State Bank of Axtell for 32 years. She retired in 2009 after a fulfilling and dedicated career.
Following retirement, Kathy and Allen moved to Osage Beach, Missouri, fulfilling a long-awaited dream. There, Kathy truly thrived—spending countless hours on the golf course, celebrating her first hole-in-one, and enjoying the close friendships they formed. She loved spending time with family, antiquing, happy hours with friends, weekend golf getaways, reading, traveling, music, boating, and was always up for any adventure. She will be remembered for her kind spirit, gentleness, supportive nature, and the love she shared so freely with family and friends.
Kathy is survived by her husband, Allen Pokorny of Osage Beach, Missouri; her three daughters, Ashley Duncanson of Gardner, Kansas, Kyra (Anthony) Barbosa of Phoenix, and Kelsey (Casey) Kensinger of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; and her seven grandchildren, Trey, Ryder, Bowen, Leo, Luca, Saban, and Elbridge. She is also survived by her sister, Vicki Winchell of San Dimas, California, and her brother, Kim Winchell of Axtell, Kansas, who was preceded in death by his wife, Loretta Winchell, as well as several other family members and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Hollis and Edis Winchell.