Kim Therese Dumble

Kim Therese Dumble, 68 years old and a long-time resident of Topeka, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Kim will be greatly missed by her dearest friend and adventure buddy, Carol Shannahan of Topeka, her sisters Joan and Lynn and their families, her cousins, and pretty much all of the people she ever met.

As a child she and her family lived in several states and cities, always near a good place to swim and some woods to explore, two things that Kim really liked to do. Kim became a dedicated rock collector at this time and continued the hobby throughout her life, attending rock, gem and mineral shows whenever she could.

After high school Kim earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. A highlight of her time at college was having her photo on the front page of the school newspaper for being part of a march to promote women’s safety on campus, a march that still happens every April.

Kim will be remembered for her honesty, insights and always knowing a person’s name. She reminded all of us of the importance of genuine person-to-person connection, and these connections were one of the many reasons that Kim so loved her adopted state of Kansas. Kim loved the land and the sky and the sunflowers but most of all she loved the people, the people of the heartland who have huge hearts and kindness to spare. She
truly enjoyed meeting and getting to know people, whether in Topeka or out on her travels with Carol to other parts of Kansas and beyond.

A faithful letter writer, Kim often wrote to her beloved nieces and nephew, frequently on the inside cover of a book that she thought they might enjoy or learn from. Many family members, friends, and acquaintances benefitted from Kim’s kind and thoughtful advice, and many were lucky to also enjoy Kim’s spirit and sense of humor.

Kim also applied her letter-writing skills to effect change on a larger scale. She wrote to various elected officials to express her concerns for the Tibetan people, endangered polar bears, and animals affected by national disasters like Hurricane Katrina. Kim’s great love of animals was most evident in her fierce devotion to Mooncat and Halfmoon, her beloved cats. Kim also loved to hear tales of the antics of the pets of friends and family, cats and dogs alike.

Kim’s family and friends are beyond grateful to all who have been there for Kim over the years in Topeka; so many people, so much love. And words are inadequate to express the kindness, loving care, and moments of laughter and fun that Kim most recently experienced while living at Heritage Gardens in Oskaloosa. You are all angels on earth.

A loving friend, sister, aunt, cousin, and at times, fondly, a spitfire and a firecracker, Kim will be greatly missed by all whose lives she touched.

An informal celebration of Kim’s life will be held on July 15, 2026 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Topeka (4746 SW 21 st St.) at 10:30 am. Please join us to share your stories and memories. Afterwards, at about 11:45 am, there will be an interment service at Rochester Cemetery in Topeka (1200 NW Menninger Rd.).

In lieu of flowers, it would have pleased Kim to know that donations might be made to the Cat Association of Topeka (https://topekacats.org) or the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity (https://fscc-calledtobe.org) in her memory.