KATHRYN MERTZ

KATHRYN MERTZ ALL AMERICAN GAL" Kathryn Symms Mertz was born on February 19, 1942, in Caldwell, Idaho and entered heaven's gates on Sunday, July 20, 2025. Kathy was the daughter of Doyle and Myrtle Symms, the 2 of 3 children. Her older sister Carolyn was born in 1937 and died in a tragic accident in 1945 while riding horses with her cousins Ginger, Dick, and Steve Symms. Her younger brother Bill was born in 1944 and died in 2021. Kathy was raised and lived on the family farm, Symms Fruit Ranch, which was founded in 1914 by her grandfather, R.A. Symms, and run by her father Doyle and his older brother Darwin. She attended the Sunny Slope Grade School and at times rode horses to school along with her cousins and friends. After grade school, Kathy attended the St Paul's Boarding School in Walla Walla, Washington for her Freshman and Sophomore years of high school. She returned to Sunny Slope and attended Caldwell High School for her Junior and Senior years; graduating in the infamous class of 1960 and many are still friends to this day. Additionally, around this time she received her private pilot's license, a true feat for a woman in the 1960s. After graduating from high school, Kathy attended Colorado College in Colorado Springs, CO. She was a proud member of Kappa Kappa Gamma Sorority, sang in the college touring choir, and graduated in the Spring of 1964 with a degree in Cultural Anthropology. In the Fall of 1964, she was accepted into a Master's Degree program into Columbia University's Teachers College, with an emphasis in Special Education. Soon thereafter, Kathy met her beloved partner in life Jim Mertz who was also a member of his Master's program at Columbia. It was a mutual "Love at First Sight." Both received their Master Degree's in July of 1965, and were married a month later on August 14, 1965 at Boone Church in Caldwell, Idaho. Due to Jim's graduate program, they moved around to several areas of the Northeast. During this time, their oldest son Jamie was born in Pennsylvania (1967), daughter Carrie was born in New York City (1969), and youngest son Joe was born in Connecticut (1970). Kathy taught Special Education for a couple of years in New York and Pennsylvania until the children came along. A life and career change came in Spring of 1971 when Kathy's father Doyle called and invited Kathy and Jim to return home to Idaho to join the Symms Fruit Company. On July 4, 1971, Kathy, Jim, Jamie, Carrie, Joe, and the family dog Dandy pulled into Sunny Slope. While Jim began his life as a farmer in the family business, Kathy began her new life in her beloved Idaho as a mother of three and involved herself in many community and personal activities. Among these was when she joined THE BRIDGE CLUB in 1971 that became a testimony to faithful, deep friendships. Twice a month, this group of ladies gathered to play bridge, drink wine, and solve life's problems. It was during these gatherings that they became a lifelong support group for each other. In addition to joining the Bridge Club, Kathy joined PEO Chapter AU and served in several leadership roles including President. Kathy was active in Boone Presbyterian Church, doing everything from singing in the Church Choir, serving on the Board of Deacons, being a co-chair for a junior high school youth group, and numerous other committees. Kathy was also the Chair of a Vallivue Citizens Bond Committee, Co-Chair of the Canyon County Mental Health Ball, served as a mentor for Love Inc, and was the Canyon County Co-Chair to the Morrison Center Endowment Drive. One of her greatest pleasures, however, was being a part of her cousin Steve Symms' successful political campaigns for the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate in the 1970's and 80s. Following family tradition, Kathy served as a Trustee for The College of Idaho for 15 years. During this time, she served as Co-Chair for the College's Spring Symposium Series as well as other Trustee committees. She loved the Yotes and was a faithful attendee at many events, but most enjoyed all the football and basketball games. This love may have its roots in that her own mother, Myrtle Smith Symms, was a member of the College of Idaho women's basketball team in 1929. Kathy was also a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the family business - Symms Fruit Ranch in Caldwell. Additionally, she was heavily involved in the management and operations of Ste. Chapelle Winery. Kathy was the "All American Gal" and was a wonderful ambassador for the State of Idaho. She had a great love of life, was adventuresome, loved spending time at the family lake house in McCall, was an excellent swimmer, and enjoyed both water and snow skiing. Kathy was fortunate to live in the same house she grew up in for 50 of her 83 years. Despite not being in excellent health in her final years, her deep faith and determination helped her to want to stay active and she never complained or wanted to discuss her failing health. In her final weeks of life Kathy was blessed to spend time with all of her children and grandchildren. It was a wonderful ending to a beautiful life. Kathy is survived by her husband of almost 60 years Jim Mertz; her oldest son Jamie, his wife Zel, and their children (Hattie & spouse Sofia, Max, and Milo), daughter Carrie Clark, her husband Ric, and their children (Jack, Maisie, and Fran), and youngest son Joe, his wife Kimberley, and their children (Sean, Jay). Kathy also has many surviving extended family including cousins, nieces, nephews, and a group of great friends. Many Thanks to Grace Assisted Living and Hospice for making Kathy's transition peaceful and comfortable. Services will be held on August 13, 2025 at the Langroise Hall on the College of Idaho campus at 3:00pm, a reception will follow. The Rev. Dave McGarrah, Senior Pastor of Deer Flat Church, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the College of Idaho or Deer Flat Church.