Carolyn "Kerry" Vanderhoof

Carolyn (Kerry) Sue Vanderhoof, was born in Springfield Illinois on August 3rd 1943. She was the eldest daughter born to Charles and Esther Davis. In the winter of 1968, she married John Vanderhoof. The couple were parents to three children Susan, Michael, and Sara. Later, they have been blessed with four grandchildren Lysle, Layne, Eade, and Hanna.

Kerry was a devoted grandmother. She never missed the opportunity to make her grandchildren feel safe and cared for. She loved them almost as much as she loved the slots. She also was an animal lover. The Vanderhoof cats have been referred to as the most spoiled in Johnson County, as she was an exceptionally devoted caretaker. At least eleven cats, seven grand-cats, two dogs, and three grand-dogs were waiting for her to join them at the Rainbow Bridge.

During her life she was not only a mother and a grandmother, she also had an active career. As a young woman, she worked at the Pentagon, then dedicated 40 years to the insurance business. The last 25 of those years being spent in partnership with her husband, John. Kerry also managed all of the household finances and was quite adept at investing. John, did most of the cooking in the home while Kerry was busy with the maintenance; cars, computers, the works. She was described as a regular," Mrs. Fix-it", and never met a tool she did not like. She fixed the TV and trimmed John’s toenails.

Kerry loved to travel. She grew up as an Army brat, lived all over the US, and spent several years in Germany when her father was stationed there for post-war reconstruction. Out of all her travels, Kerry was most drawn to the ocean. She often spoke about her trips to Oregon, Hawaii, and Florida where she would spend as much time as she could walking on the beach.

Kerry kept a beautiful home. After an extensive search upon moving to the Overland Park area from Indianapolis, she found her perfect one and spent the next 35 years making it even more so.

No one will ever forget Kerry’s famous spaghetti and meatballs at Christmas time. Though she did not cook often, when she did, it was spectacular. She had a feisty personality and was extremely intelligent. She had a wealth of knowledge and loved to share it. She was self-proclaimed as, “The Law”. And you better believe it!

In lieu of gifts or flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made in Kerry's honor to either the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Tribute- pettribute@vet.k-state.edu or the Great Plains SPCA - intake@greatplainsspca.org