Catherine Katie Speer

Estes Park resident Katie Speer died at her home early Monday morning September 15, 2014. She was 84 years old. Catherine Kerins was born September 12, 1930 in Reading, OH. Her parents were Raymond and Marguerie (Wagner) Kerins. Katie grew up in Terre Haute, IN and attended schools there where she was a member of the Speech and Debate Teams. She received a scholarship to attend Northwestern University of Speech, majoring in Public Speaking and Labor Economics. She graduated Cum Laudein in 1952, and a year later received her Master’s Degree in Speech. During college, Katie worked as a Secretary to local surgeon, Dr. Edson Fairbrother Fowler and as a clerk in the School of Speech Registrar’s Office. She also spent one summer as Secretary to the Scientific Temperance Instructor at the Women’s Christian Temperance Union in Evanston. Katie married John Howard Speer in Skokie, IL on March 17, 1951. The couple moved to California where she worked as a clerk in such companies as Douglas Aircraft, Union Oil Company and RAND Corporation. She became a member of the YWCA, serving on the Santa Monica board of directors, later being elected to the National Board. She was also President of the Pacific Palisades Democratic Club and the California Democratic State Central Committee. She later accepted the position of Director of the North Valley Center, YWCA of Los Angeles. While there, she collaborated in the development of an infant care center on the high school campus, enabling teen mothers to complete their education. It is there that she wrote the first of many grant applications. She resigned her position at the YWCA and became the 4-H Program manager of Los Angeles County Cooperative Extension, retiring in 1992. In 1994, Katie and Howard moved to Estes Park, CO where she served on the boards of Crossroads Ministry and the Estes Park Public Library Foundation. She also developed the Estes Park Non Profit Resource Center and served as Democratic Precinct Captain for the eight Estes Valley Precincts. Katie is survived by her husband Howard and a son Michael, his wife Arlene and their children Christopher and Abigail. She was preceded in death by 2 sons; Mark Speer in March of 1962 and Charles Speer in January of 1995 and “A Wake for Katie” will be held at the Estes Park Library on Sunday October 5, 2014 from 2:00 pm TO 6:00 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to the Estes Valley Library Foundation in care of Allnutt Funeral Service 1302 Graves Ave. Estes Park, CO 80517.