Abate fetel is called zone 5 by a few nurseries but cold tolerance is the reason most call it zone 6. It was a risk growing it but i recall when you decided to try it. We zone push in kansas as well. If you do try it again i would graft it to a cotton easter or aronia that is low to the ground you can cover in the winter with wood chips. You will be able to grow anything with enough effort but the question is do you want to? The southern side of a house or building gains some warmth also in the winter. Sometimes it takes all your tricks to grow things Grafting compatibility for pears - #41 by clarkinks