Kathy Marie Schaiberger

Kathy Marie Coates Schaiberger passed away at 5:53 AM, Monday, January 18, 2021, in her home in Rye, CO, in the presence of her sisters-Denise and Cheryl, daughter-Susan, and husband-John. She was predeceased by her parents, Don & Eleanor Coates; brothers, Dick, Donnie, & Kenny (VietNam) Coates; George L Schaiberger, Sr; George L Schaiberger, Jr. She is survived by husband, John; sisters, Denise (Keith) Rubin; Cheryl (Cal) Neubecker; brothers-in-law-Chris(Gwen), Paul(Dianna), Tom(Terry), Peter(Jenny); mother-in-law, Elizabeth L Schaiberger (George, Sr); and numerous dearly loved friends, nieces, nephews, and cousins. Additionally, and most importantly, and the reasons for her multi-year and valiant battle (most people would not have guessed that there was anything wrong with her), she is survived by her beloved and treasured daughter Susan (Javy), and grandchildren Gabriel Mason and Victoria Elizabeth Lozano. Thanks to them, we received many wonderful additional years of her being a major part of our lives. Kathy’s life began rather fortuitously on August 22, 1951, when her future father-in-law (Dr. George Sr) delivered her at Tolfree Memorial Hospital in West Branch, MI; wherein he immediately began negotiating with Eleanor and Don to trade her for one of his six sons. Well, eventually she became a daughter, anyhow, just 18 years later. On April 11, 1970, she and John were married in West Branch, and lead to ensuing lives in Mt Pleasant/Shepherd, MI (10 yrs); back to WB, MI (5 yrs); and then the move to Rye, CO (1985). Everywhere, she developed close and permanent friendships which existed for the rest of her life. Along the way, she developed and demonstrated skills and abilities which blossomed into appreciable artistic productions. She actually mostly enjoyed the various jobs she had, including St Mary-Corwin Hospital and San Isabel Electric. She loved and enjoyed many varied activities, including snow skiing, paddle boarding, the ocean (actually, all outdoor waters), her cats (which began as ferals, but didn’t appear feral when they were with her—how many people do you know that go on daily walks with feral cats, &/or dogs & horses, no leashes saddles, etc.?), dogs (especially Midget & Stinky), her “She Shed”, vacations with her sisters and loved ones, and her friends. But especially she loved her Susan, Gabe, and Tori,—we will miss that love-and her-immeasurably. Special thanks to Cheryl B., Valley Pharmacy and to Sangre de Cristo Hospice. Services for Kathy will be held on Saturday January 23, 2021 1:00pm River of Life Church in Rye. Additionally, there will be a memorial and interment ceremony held this summer in West Branch, MI.