Katherine J. Mendoza

Katherine “Katy” Mendoza, 100, of Kansas City, MO, passed away peacefully at home in the presence of her family and loved ones on Friday, December 12, 2025. Services will be held on Saturday, December 20, 2025,at Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 4232 Mercier Street, KCMO. Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m., Rosary will be said at 10:30 a.m. and Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. with interment to follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, 23rd & Jackson, KCMO.

Katherine (Juarez) Mendoza was born November 25, 1925, in Kansas City, MO, to Refugio Juarez and Delores (Camarillo). Katy was the fourth of eleven children and a lifelong resident of Kansas City, MO. She always emphasized education and putting family first. She met her husband, Robert P. Mendoza, when she was only five years old when he walked into her family’s neighborhood store. On April 2, 1943, while Robert was home on leave, they were married and she was a dedicated wife for 61 years. For the 21 years between each of their passing not a day went by that she didn’t talk about the enormous love she continued to carry for him. Katy dedicated her life to creating a warm, loving home for her family, never turning anyone away when it was time for dinner, she always would find a way to feed the crowd. Nana was the heart of our family, always there with a listening ear, a comforting hug, and a swift kick for anyone who crossed us.

Katy was a beacon of love, kindness, and unwavering devotion. Always putting herself in God’s hands, Katy leaned on her faith in good times and bad. She was a lifelong member of Guardian Angels Parish and credited her ability to love and care for others as a result of her deep faith. She exhibited a gentle spirit and caring nature pouring her heart and soul into her role as a wife, mother, and Nana. She was known for spoiling her family with her homemade tortillas; each one (and there were thousands) made with love. A lifelong sports enthusiast, Katy never missed an opportunity to cheer for her Chiefs and Royals. It gave her great joy to have witnessed the many championship successes over the last decade between the two teams.

Katy was a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, and Nana to her family, and a friend to all those who were blessed enough to have known her. Nana was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Mendoza; infant son, Robert Mendoza; son, Stephen Lopez; daughter, Mary Helen Sorrentino; granddaughter, Leslie Mendoza; great-grandsons, Leo Sorrentino and AJ Zahner; mother, Dolores Camarillo Juarez-Avila; father, Refugio Juarez; stepfather, Francisco Avila; sisters, Naomi Valenciano, Ruth Lopez, Irene Ruiz, and Rachael Aguirre; and brothers, Cesario and Refugio Juarez, and Daniel and Adolph Avila.

She is survived by her six children Roberto (Linda) Mendoza; Estella Zahner (Stephan); Rebecca Konzak; Jose (Cindy) Mendoza; Ruth (Steve) Jones, Glasgow, MO; and Charlie Lopez (Carlita); her brothers Salvador (Phyllis) Avila and Henry (Rachael) Avila; and her sister-in-law, Esperanza “Reina” Avila. She is also survived by 17 loving grandchildren, Anna, Bobby Joe, Angela, Misty, Aimee, Jennifer, Jamie, Andrew, Brian, Jake, Sara, Katie, Andrea, Amanda, Alisha, Adrienne, and Jose II; 38 loving great-grandchildren, Alaina, Alexis, George, Vinny, Tommy Joe, Tricia, Marianne, Michael, Avery, Lennah, Peyton, Kendall, Braylen, Aria, Brian, Royce, Vincent Rey, Graham, Olivia, Eli, Alyssa, Savannah, Estella, Issabella, Reagan, Charleigh, Alexia, Makayla, Anthony, Angel, Ariana, Adrianna, Ava, Gabe, Aaliyah, Alaina, Jose III, and Angelina; 9 loving great-great-grandchildren, JoAnna, Angelo, Charlie, Maria, Anthony, George, Gianna, Miles, and Lorelai; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 4232 Mercier, KCMO, 64111. The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Kansas City Hospice, particularly her health care nurse, Caitlin.

To most, one hundred years seems like an unimaginable amount of time. To us, her family, it will never feel like long enough. We love you dearly and will miss you always. Vaya con Dios. (Arr. Muehlebach Funeral Home, 816-444-2060)