Kathleen Snyder McMillan

Kathy was born, Kathleen Kocken Synder, on August 9th, 1940, in North Platte, Nebraska. Her father, Bruce Snyder was a rancher raising pure bred black Angus in Paxton, Nebraska and her mother Ruth Snyder, was a teacher before giving that up to raise her family. Kathy was the second of 4 children: Karen, Kathy, Bruce and Ken.

Kathy spent her primary school years, attending a one room school house a mile from the ranch where she lived. Moving onto Paxton High School and graduating Valedictorian of her class in 1958, she then attended the University of Nebraska after turning down a full scholarship so it could be given to another student who couldn't afford to attend.

Graduating in 1962 with a degree in Education with an emphasis in Home Economics, she married Stephen McMillan on June 20th, 1962 and moved to Germany with him where she taught in the American school for a year in Germany. They then moved to Bournemouth, England for a year where she taught part-time, then back to the states to Stonington, Connecticut where she taught kindergarten – 35 students in the morning and 35 in the afternoon without any aide. From there they made several more moves to both coasts before putting down roots in Loveland, Colorado. By this time they had 3 children. David, Sara and Andrew. While being a Mom was Kathy's full time job until the kids were in High School she continued to substitute teach on occasion before returning to college to get her Masters degree at the University of Northern Colorado. Later in her 50's, she decided to create a new career for herself called "Transitions Made Simple" as a professional estate liquidator, working with banks and lawyers for their clients. She ran this successful business until she retired.

Kathy was diagnosed with Dementia in her mid 70's and moved into a dementia care facility for 3 years. She was then moved home with the help of an in home caregiver before she died peacefully a week later. Sitting in her favorite rocking chair looking at the mountains, on Saturday November 15th. She was 85 years old.

With the warmth and love of the Indian Summer sun, Kathy's journey rose across the Sandhills of Nebraska and, set over the mountains of Colorado.

Kathy is survived by her husband of 63 years Stephen, her children and grandchildren David (Sonya), Sara (Jason), Dylan and Ashlyn, and Andrew (Julia), Grace. Two brothers, Bruce and Ken Snyder, one cousin and other nieces and nephews.