Kathryn R. Smelser

Kathryn R. Smelser

Kathryn R. Smelser, a resident of Colorado Springs since 1948 and formerly of Hannibal, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 17, 2012 at her home in Colorado Springs. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great – great grandmother and foster parent.

Kathryn Roberta Hern was born on December 17, 1928 in Stoutsville, Missouri to the late Charles and Elsie (Lewis) Hern. She was the youngest of four children. After high school, she met and later married the love of her life, Elliott J. Smelser on May 29, 1941. Elliott passed away in 1995, after 49 years of marriage.

She is survived by her two children: Richard (wife, Shannon) Smelser of Queen Creek, Arizona and Terrill “Tee” (wife, Nancy) Smelser of Colorado Springs, four grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. She is also survived by a brother: Charles (wife, Beverly) Hern of Kansas City, Missouri.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and a daughter: Kathy Jean Smelser and 2 sisters: Aileene Harris and Edna Crimm.

Kathryn dedicated over 35 years to the foster parent program. She was an amazing foster mother to over 250 children. She had the ability to make a person feel loved and part of her family instantly. Her kind and generous spirit knew no bounds. She will be greatly missed.

Memorial services are planned for 2:00 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012 at the Shrine of Remembrance “America the Beautiful” Chapel. Cremation is planned and memorials in her name may be made to the Mountain View Presbyterian Church.

Blessed be her memory.