Katherine Schlapp

1949 - 2020

Katherine Schlapp

Bloomfield - Katherine Louise Schlapp was born on June 28, 1949, in Leadville, Colorado, and passed away suddenly on July 7, 2020, in Bloomfield, New Mexico. Kathy was born to Raymond Anton and Margaret (Durst) Schlapp. One year later, a sister, Rose, was born to the family. Later two more daughters were born and deceased in infancy. Kathy had a very strong influence in the Catholic community and would later represent Leadville in the Colorado State Youth Organization (CYO) in 1967. She also represented Lake County at the Colorado Girls' State in 1967.

She received her AB in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado in May 1971, her Masters of Art in Special Education from Adams State University in 1978 and her Education Specialist on July 26, 1991 from UNM in computer science. She had 81 hours above her degrees in a variety of subject matter from the Navajo Language to teaching Art. She taught at Blanco, Rio Vista, Naaba Ani and Central Primary School in Bloomfield, NM. She taught for 28 years in the areas of special education, gifted, computers, and computer education fo teachers. Kathy had extracurricular activities for the children in many areas including Young Astronauts. She also sponsored Terrific Kids at Central Primary which is supported by the Rotary Club. Kathy was also the technology site representative at Central. She also ran a tutoring business. According to one principal, "Kathy was willing to do anything that needs to be done." Other principals noted her "contagious enthusiasm for knowledge," "excellent staff support program and computer lab program" as well as "caring and sincere learning environment." She lived her vocation with all. After retirement, she contracted with Bloomfield Schools to mentor special education teachers, to help them with teaching techniques, and how to do the paperwork associated with special education. Kathy was the librarian at Sacred Heart School for 12 years. She was the story reader for the Teddy Bear Story Time Tea for the Festival of Trees for 12 years. Also she would read stories at the many libraries and classrooms in our area. She has mentored many teachers in their beginning years of teaching or helped teaches who have come back to teaching, catch-up. Kathy was named Bloomfield Teacher of the Year and Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year in 1999. She always dressed up for all the holidays. She had more hats than you could count, i.e. for Halloween, she had a spider hat and boa with appropriate buttons, a witch's hat and cape, character dresses and headbands that would bobble every which way. Kathy also had a bunny suit. You saw her coming. She always put a smile on your face. She also created parties for birthdays and holidays. She always celebrated a fellow teacher's birthday. She would organize potlucks on in-service days.

She also loved arts and crafts; Kathy started with cross-stitch and continued on to knit, crochet, and a Norwegian form of embriodery-hardanger. She won numerous Blue Ribbons plus Best of Show at the San Juan County Fair as well as Blue Ribbons at the State fair. She invited her dear friends to her home for dinners. She was a very good cook; she enjoyed their company and they, of course, enjoyed her cooking. She was always willing to give a helping hand to anyone in need. Kathy was very active in her church, St. Mary's in Bloomfield. She was on the Bloomfield Library Board. Kathy was predeceased by her parents and sister, Rose Willis. Also two cousins Pauline (Schlapp) Carrico and Bill Durst predeceased her. She is survived by one nephew, Raymond Anton "Tony" Willis, great nieces Joanne and Bethany, and great-great niece Paizlei Rose Willis. She was also survived by numerous cousins.

In lieu of flowers, there is a Go Fund Me account for Kathy Schlapp. Donations will be collected for the BHS Alumni Scholarship Foundation and a memorial in Kath Schlapp's name. Donations can also be made to the BHS Alumni Scholarship Fund, 925 N. Hare Street, Bloomfield, NM 87413. Mass will be on Saturday, July 25 at 10am at St. Mary's Church in Bloomfield, New Mexico. Due to social distancing, seating will be limited. Thank you for understanding.