Kim Suzanne Rathke

Kim Suzanne (Lenz) Rathke passed away peacefully on November 24, 2024, at age 62, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born on December 7, 1961, in Pueblo, Colorado, she was a longtime resident of Layton, Utah. She touched the lives of all who knew her with her kindness.

Kim graduated from Skyline High School in 1979 and subsequently held several jobs: as a legal secretary, an insurance claims adjuster, and at the food court at K-Mart, where she often joked about coming home smelling like hot dogs.

In 1992, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher and went to college, ultimately graduating in 1997 with a Bachelor's Degree in English and Secondary Education, with minors in Communications and History from Weber State University. During her time there, she served as the Non-Traditional Student Senator, worked as an English tutor, and won the Woman of the Year Award.

After graduating, she worked for one year at Northridge High School, where she taught English and History. The next year, she got her dream position teaching English at Central Davis Junior High School, where she taught for the next 17 years. During that time, she was the yearbook and student newspaper advisor, served as department chair, and inspired countless students to develop a love for reading and to become the best writers they could be. She loved teaching junior high students and considered them to be the best grades to teach. She was a National Board certified teacher, a Standard Examiner Golden Apple Teacher Award recipient, and received many other awards and recognitions. She also spent many summers traveling the state to improve education for every student.

In 2010, she earned her Masters in Education from Utah State University, where her thesis focused on using assessment tools to improve essay writing. She eventually decided to take her skills out of the classroom and into a position at the State Office of Education, where she ultimately rose to Test Administration & Data Coordinator. During that time, she and her fellow authors, Daron Kennett and Kristin Brunt, published a book called: The Game Plan: A Multi-Year Blueprint to Create a School Culture of Literacy and Data Analysis.

At home, Kim could be found reading, baking, or indulging in her love of home improvement shows and Hallmark Christmas movies. Her nightstand always had multiple books either currently being read or waiting to be. She was a fantastic baker and cook, treating everyone to delicious home-cooked meals, including her famous pies. A visit to Kim’s house almost always included a serving tray full of snacks to be devoured, and no visit was complete unless everyone was full. She made every day special, but holidays were where she shined, as the house was always decorated for the occasion and there was always magic she created. Christmas was her favorite with her love of Christmas books, pencil Santas, countless snowmen, and enough ornaments for multiple trees.

Kim and her husband, Tom, are the proud owners of Aer Ratis, their hot air balloon. Kim loved to be the crew chief while Tom pilots. She loved spreading the joy and wonder of ballooning to the people who came to one of the many festivals they attended together. Spending time with the other balloon crews was always something she looked forward to, and she loved sharing stories from those adventures.

She loved camping, whether with just her husband or the entire family. She could be found exploring the area, cooking a delicious feast at the campsite, or relaxing in her camp chair with a good book. She especially loved visiting national parks and monuments to ensure her grandchildren would get another Junior Ranger badge for their vests.

Around the time Kim was four years old, her parents divorced and her mother remarried. Kim was adopted by her stepfather, Gene Lenz, so the family could move to Japan for a job transfer. Kim has known most of her life that she had a biological father, Gary Gray, and was able to happily reunite with him in September of 2023 in Pueblo, CO. In the last year, Kim has enjoyed traveling to Pueblo, reigniting memories from childhood and meeting her extended family that includes a sister, Carrie Gray-Fetty, and a brother, Dean Gray, a stepbrother Gary Zerfas, along with their spouses and children, and many, many cousins.

Surviving Kim are her beloved husband, Tom Rathke; her two devoted children, Danelle Godfrey and her spouse, James Godfrey, and Collin Johnson and his spouse, Maria Muñiz; and her adoring grandchildren, Ellie and Ben Godfrey. She is also lovingly remembered by her parents, Peggy and Gene Lenz; her sister, Sherri with her husband Paul Reid; her brother, Trent Lenz; her nieces and nephews.

Many thanks to the nurses, doctors, and staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute and University of Utah Hospital. The care Kim received was a comfort to her and to those close to her. Her family is also grateful to the generosity shown by Kim’s friends and coworkers for their time, gifts, and well wishes.

Kim's life was a testament to her love for her family and her profound impact on the educational community. Her legacy will endure through the many lives she touched.

A private service celebrating her life will be held on December 3rd at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary. A public celebration of life will be held at Central Davis Junior High on December 14th from 1 to 4 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Huntsman Cancer Institute in her honor.

https://hope.huntsmancancer.org/diy/kim-rathke-in-memorium