Katherine Lorraine (Harkness) Wynn, age 88, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by members of her family, on January 17, 2026, in Fort Scott, Kansas.
Lorraine was born in Prescott, Kansas, on August 26, 1937, to Lawrence Phillips and Lille (Buchanan) Phillips. She was raised in Prescott, Kansas, where she graduated from Prescott High School and later received her degree in cosmetology from Stewart Beauty Academy in Topeka, Kansas.
Lorraine was married to K. W. Harkness for 40 years. They had four children and loved taking trips in the family camper and on Honda Goldwing motorcycles. K. W. and Lorraine eventually traveled the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks on a motorcycle. K. W. Harkness preceded her in death on May 24, 1995.
Lorraine married Ronnie Wynn on November 2, 2001, and they were married for almost 25 years. They enjoyed going on several cruises with her family and traveling across Kansas with Ron’s grandchildren.
Lorraine had several occupations during her life. She started as a beautician but soon worked in the family business painting and hanging wallpaper. She always said her most important career was being a housewife and mother. She liked collecting recipes and enjoyed cooking for her family. Some family favorites included homemade bread, cinnamon rolls, noodles, sugar cookies, ginger cookies, and raisin pie. She always made elaborately decorated cakes for family birthdays and even made wedding cakes for family and friends.
Lorraine loved Jesus and her family. She would do anything for her children. She loved her church family and was especially happy when she settled in Fort Scott, where she could attend Grace Baptist Tabernacle, and raise her children.
She is survived by her husband, Ronnie Wynn; three children, Angela Mae (Harkness) Russell and husband Rick of Arkansas, Shawna Lorraine Harkness of Fort Scott, and Jarett Stanton (Stan) Harkness and wife Deana of Texas; two stepchildren, Jeremy Wynn and wife Stanna of Colorado, and Julie Patton and husband T. C. of Oklahoma; five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by beloved cousins, nieces, and a nephew.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, K. W. Harkness; her son, Kevin Harkness; and two sisters, Irene Paddock and Ladeen (Vaughn) Poole.
Rev. Paul Rooks will conduct funeral services at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, January 22nd at the Grace Baptist Tabernacle, Ft. Scott, Kansas. Burial will follow in the Prescott Cemetery in Prescott, Kansas. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 P.M. at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to the International Waldenstrom’s Macrogloblinemia Foundation and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.