My Mom

 

Kathryn “Kathy” Ann Atkins 1951 - August 20, 2008
Posted: Wednesday, Aug 27th, 2008


Kathryn “Kathy” Ann Atkins, 57, lost her battle with colon cancer on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008, at her home in Yoder, Wyo. Cremation arrangements were handled by the Colyer Funeral Home. A celebration of Kathy’s life for family and friends will be held Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, at the Yoder Community Center between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. with a carry-in potluck dinner, a tradition exercised by Kathy for many special occasions.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorial contributions to the Yoder Ambulance Service at P.O. Box 22, Yoder, WY 82244; or to the Prairie Haven Hospice at Two West 42nd Street, Suite 2300, Scottsbluff, NE 69361.

Kathy, daughter of the late Lester C. Atkins and Mary Lou (Mosley) Atkins of Torrington, was born in Scottsbluff, Neb., in 1951. In 1961 the family moved to Torrington, where Kathy attended school. Following her graduation from Torrington High School in 1969, Kathy attended the University of Wyoming at Laramie for two years. She returned to Torrington, where she went to work at First National Bank with her father.

Kathy married C. “Brent” Smith in Lusk, Wyo. The couple had a child, Lisa, in 1976. In 1977 the family moved to Montana, where Kathy worked on the ranch. In 1989, they moved to Jerome, Idaho, and Kathy worked in a fabric store and in later years as a florist. Kathy returned to Torrington in 1993 following her divorce.

She married Robert “Bob” Oaks in 1994. The couple lived in Yoder, raising their daughter, Jessica. They owned and operated the Yoder Bar, which Kathy continued to run following their divorce.

Kathy loved to garden and was a fantastic seamstress. She spent her time researching genealogy and crocheting projects for her grandchildren. She was initiated into Chapter M, P.E.O. and was an active member of the Goshen County Women’s Pool League as well as mixed league. She had completed the 2007-2008 season while undergoing chemotherapy.

Over the years, Kathy became a great friend to many who remember her with a shoulder to cry on, a thought of wisdom, a helping hand or an encouraging word. She was loved by many and enjoyed by everyone whose life she touched. She was a great mother, a beautiful daughter, a wonderful sister, a fantastic “Nana,” a true friend, and she will be deeply missed by all.

She is survived by her mother, Mary Lou Atkins of Torrington; her sister, Janice Atkins-Neva (Les Neva) of Eagle, Idaho; her oldest daughter, Lisa Smith and her fiancé Duane Lee; her youngest daughter, Jessica (Bob) Gladson; and grandchildren, Tyler and Tomas Carney and Caden Lee, all of Yoder, Jackson Oaks, Emily Morrison, Wyatt, Hunter and KayDee Gladson, all of Yoder, and Dalton and Tyson Gladson of Torrington.

She was preceded in death by her father, Lester C. Atkins.