Kathryn Jean Schwende

Seven months after being diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, Kathryn Jean Schwende (Kathy) died Sunday morning, June 21, 2026, at Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins, Colorado, with Francis Joseph Schwende, her husband of 52 years, by her side.

Kathy was born on September 23, 1949, to Robert D. and Helen F. Taylor. She graduated from Cuyahoga Falls High School and went on to Kent State University, earning a B.A. in Music in 1971 — piano, studying under Margaret Baxtresser — with a minor in Office Administration. Years later she returned to school at Kalamazoo Valley Community College to study computer programming. After completing her Associate of Applied Science degree in 1995, she worked as a Senior Programmer Analyst for National City Bank until 2002, when she left her job to care for her son, Peter. After moving to Ann Arbor, Michigan, she worked for the EPA through its Senior Environmental Employment program until moving to Fort Collins in 2010.

Kathy and Frank raised two boys, Karl William and Peter Albert. Peter preceded his mother in death in 2003, at age 20, after battling leukemia. The family made its home in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Kathy and Frank formed lasting friendships — with former Upjohn colleagues of Frank's, and with fellow members of Kalamazoo's First United Methodist Church — that sustained them for decades.

Besides being a skilled pianist and software developer, Kathy was an enthusiastic knitter and crocheter. She also tried her hand at quilting and bead-work, and played the flute. While in Bloomington, Indiana, where Frank was a graduate student, she nurtured a love of carillons by taking carillonneur lessons. She and Frank attended many carillon concerts at the University of Denver, and after their 50th anniversary trip to Paris, they spent a week in Amersfoort, Netherlands, where the carillon of the Onze Lieve Vrouwetoren rang out two or more times a day. She loved puzzles of every kind, from the daily Jumble to the most difficult Sudoku. Her baking was much appreciated over the holidays, especially her cookie-press Christmas trees.

Kathy is survived by her husband, Frank; their son, Karl; daughter-in-law, Amy; two amazing granddaughters, Hazel June and Greta Grace; and her two older brothers, William (Bill) and Amel.

Kathy’s cremated remains will be scattered off the coast of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, home to her close friend and fellow knitting-crochet artist and one of Kathy’s happy places. There will be an informal gathering of Kathy’s friends on Sunday, August 16, at 6:30 PM on the Sharps Court cul-de-sac. Kathy’s favorite food, sweet corn, will be served, along with pulled pork sandwiches, catered by Brothers BBQ. You will need to bring your own lawn chairs. In case of rain, food will be served inside the Schwende’s garage (3314 Sharps Court).

The family invites you to consider a donation to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation (https://www.npcf.us) as a memorial to Kathy, who will forever be in our hearts.