Haeju Kim Patel

Haeju Kim Patel, age 62, passed away on January 30, 2026 in Olathe, KS.

She was born on November 6, 1963 in Yeonggwang, South Korea, middle daughter of the late Kwi-Im and Yeon-Kyo Kim. Haeju grew up with two sisters, Hye-Wook and Hye-Hyun, and two brothers, Min-Gul and Min-Chul. After graduating with an English Literature degree in South Korea, Haeju moved to the US in 1986 and attended the University of Kansas, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and met her husband, Jash Patel. Jash and Haeju were married in 1991 and had two children, Anisha and Anil Patel. Haeju worked as a Project Manager and Systems Analyst for 34 years with Principal Financial Group, EDS, HP, and the USDA.

Haeju was an incredibly dedicated and loving mother and wife. She worked tirelessly every day to provide for her family and to uplift the people around her. Her work ethic wasn’t just something she practiced — it was a reflection of her love, her resilience, and her unwavering commitment to those she cared for. Her legacy lives on in the values she instilled and the example she set.

Haeju enjoyed being outdoors and spending time with the people closest to her. Throughout her life, she traveled the world with her family and enjoyed activities like sightseeing, hiking, and skiing. She especially loved playing golf with her best friends, David Simmons, Mark Nelson, and Clifton Cain. During her battle with SCA (Spinocerebellar Ataxia) over the last few years, she was supported by many wonderful people including her gym friends at Adaptive Athletes, her meditation group, her Ataxia support group, and caretakers. She will be missed by everyone that knew her and will be remembered with respect and affection.