Obituary for Kathie Lynn Vest
Longtime Alamosa resident Kathie Vest, 70, died December 7, 2021, at her home in Alamosa in the presence of her family and under hospice care.
Kathie was born in Alamosa to and Lloyd and Rose Schoolland, farmers in the Wavery community. After graduating from Alamosa High School, she attended Dordt College in Iowa where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology/Sociology. She immediately put her degree to work teaching in a private, Christian school in Oskaloosa, Iowa. After a few years, she then returned to Colorado and worked for the El Paso County Motor Vehicle Division in Colorado Springs. While there, she met and married John Vest who was in the Army, stationed in Fort Carson. After the birth of their son, Dave, they moved back to Alamosa to raise their children in the comfort of this community. Their daughter, Deanna, was born soon after.
Kathie’s primary focus in life was her faith and caring for her family and those around her. During the early years of her children’s life, she worked diligently as a home maker: growing a garden, canning fruits and vegetables, sewing clothes, and doing all she could to ensure her family was well cared for. As her children entered elementary school, she took a part-time job as an administrative assistant at Adams State College (now University). During this time, she and her husband started purchasing and refurbishing houses in Alamosa and renting them out. In the mid 1990’s Kathie returned to her love of teaching by becoming the kindergarten teacher at Alamosa Christian School and later she served as a para-professional for special needs students in the Alamosa School District. At one point, she was the office manager for the Furniture/Appliance store that she and John had purchased after their kids were grown. In her retirement years, she focused her time on serving others by volunteering with local organizations including Tu Casa’s Women Shelter and the Colorado Welcome Center.
Kathie loved the outdoors and especially the mountains. She always looked forward to summer when she could camp and fish, or simply go hiking with friends and family. Kathie also loved to travel. She had a deep love of God and was active in her church where she often played piano and attended Bible studies. Kathie simply loved people and spent most of her time thinking of ways she could bless those around her.
She is survived by her children Dave (Wendy) Vest of Portland, TX and Deanna (Dale) Bartee of Center, CO; her grandchildren Jacob (Bailey), Corbin (Andi), Alexa, Kiera, Tyler, Luke, and Kolby; her great-granddaughter Aurora; her brother and sisters Elaine Schoolland of Colorado Springs, CO, Laura Bennett of Colorado Springs, CO, and John (Cheryl) Schoolland of Alamosa; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.
Kathie is preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law Pat Bennett.
Cremation was chosen and a Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 18, 2021 at the Living Water Bible Fellowship Church in Alamosa. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Living Water Bible Fellowship or Hospice del Valle in her memory.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes or words of comfort for Kathie’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com
Kathie was born in Alamosa to and Lloyd and Rose Schoolland, farmers in the Wavery community. After graduating from Alamosa High School, she attended Dordt College in Iowa where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology/Sociology. She immediately put her degree to work teaching in a private, Christian school in Oskaloosa, Iowa. After a few years, she then returned to Colorado and worked for the El Paso County Motor Vehicle Division in Colorado Springs. While there, she met and married John Vest who was in the Army, stationed in Fort Carson. After the birth of their son, Dave, they moved back to Alamosa to raise their children in the comfort of this community. Their daughter, Deanna, was born soon after.
Kathie’s primary focus in life was her faith and caring for her family and those around her. During the early years of her children’s life, she worked diligently as a home maker: growing a garden, canning fruits and vegetables, sewing clothes, and doing all she could to ensure her family was well cared for. As her children entered elementary school, she took a part-time job as an administrative assistant at Adams State College (now University). During this time, she and her husband started purchasing and refurbishing houses in Alamosa and renting them out. In the mid 1990’s Kathie returned to her love of teaching by becoming the kindergarten teacher at Alamosa Christian School and later she served as a para-professional for special needs students in the Alamosa School District. At one point, she was the office manager for the Furniture/Appliance store that she and John had purchased after their kids were grown. In her retirement years, she focused her time on serving others by volunteering with local organizations including Tu Casa’s Women Shelter and the Colorado Welcome Center.
Kathie loved the outdoors and especially the mountains. She always looked forward to summer when she could camp and fish, or simply go hiking with friends and family. Kathie also loved to travel. She had a deep love of God and was active in her church where she often played piano and attended Bible studies. Kathie simply loved people and spent most of her time thinking of ways she could bless those around her.
She is survived by her children Dave (Wendy) Vest of Portland, TX and Deanna (Dale) Bartee of Center, CO; her grandchildren Jacob (Bailey), Corbin (Andi), Alexa, Kiera, Tyler, Luke, and Kolby; her great-granddaughter Aurora; her brother and sisters Elaine Schoolland of Colorado Springs, CO, Laura Bennett of Colorado Springs, CO, and John (Cheryl) Schoolland of Alamosa; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family and friends.
Kathie is preceded in death by her parents and her brother-in-law Pat Bennett.
Cremation was chosen and a Celebration of Life will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, December 18, 2021 at the Living Water Bible Fellowship Church in Alamosa. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to Living Water Bible Fellowship or Hospice del Valle in her memory.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes or words of comfort for Kathie’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com