Kathleen "Kathy" Marie Smestad

Kathy grew up in the Big Sky country of Montana. Her love of mountains and all things western never left. She was the Homecoming Queen and a cheerleader at C.M. Russell High School and thought of as the most beautiful girl in town by many. She was an accomplished swimmer competing in numerous meets; even establishing a record in Canada.

Kathy met her future husband Steve when they were twelve years old and they married on May 21, 1977, in Great Falls. Steve’s career took them from Montana to various locations including San Antonio, TX, Reston, VA and Prestwick, Scotland before their final move to Gilbert, AZ. Kathy embraced each move with a sense of adventure and made their homes welcoming to all with whom they had contact, whether by a casual Texas barbecue or a formal British ten course dining experience. She was a warm and charming hostess, a wonderful cook, whose hours of work behind the scenes never showed through her cute smile and fun laugh.

Kathy was a devoted mother to Brandan and Cody who were the center of her world. Her favorite sports team was whichever one Brandan or Cody were playing on. She was at each game, complete with bags of snacks, water, first aid kit; and lungs that cheered on every player. It was fun to share in her excitement traveling to baseball tournaments as a baseball mom.

A spiritual woman with a strong Christian faith, Kathy’s kindhearted and generous soul was witnessed throughout her life in many ways but especially through her love of children and animals.

In 2008, Kathy had a stroke resulting from a brain tumor. It was a life changing experience, but she remained independent while confined to a wheelchair. Her cheerful outlook continued. In 2022, another tumor was diagnosed and she underwent a second brain surgery. Her life was more challenging after that but still, her kindness and cheerfulness remained.

Kathy was preceded in death by her son, Cody Smestad; father, John Sechena; mother-in-law, Beulah Smestad; father-in-law, Harris Smestad; and brother-in-law Douglas Sill. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Stephen Smestad; son Brandan Smestad; and grandchildren Freyja and Branson; mother, June Sechena; brothers John (Ruth) Sechena, Mike Sechena and Robert “Bob” (Dawn) Sechena; brother-in-law Gary (Brenda) Smestad; sister-in-law, Sharon Sill; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 1, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm followed by a Celebration of Life at 12:00 pm. Both events will take place at Valley of the Sun Mortuary and Cemetery, located at 10940 E Chandler Heights Road, Chandler, Arizona, 85248.

Memorials in Kathy’s memory are preferred to Friends for Life Animal Rescue, 952 W. Melody Ave. Gilbert, AZ 85233, 480-497-8296, [email protected].