Kathryn Dana Unruh

Kathy Unruh, 48, peacefully passed away on June 1, 2019 in Boulder, CO. She was born on February 15, 1971 in Grand Forks, ND. Kathy had previous health issues that manifested in late April and resulted in her passing.She is survived by her mom, Ruthmary Arnason Unruh and her partner, Ernie Gregoire, (Grand Forks, ND), her dad, George Unruh, Jr. (Gilbert, AZ), sisters Susie (Unruh) Garcia; husband Dave (Discovery Bay, CA) and Deb Unruh, husband Tim Marchiafava (Elk River, MN), Uncle and Aunt, Paul and Eileen Unruh (Orinda, CA) and cousins Kim (Unruh) and Greg Hamilton; and J and Sarah Unruh.Kathy grew up in Grand Forks and graduated from Red River High School. She played on the State Championship basketball team and was a State Champion high jumper.Kathy was smart, driven and goal oriented. She graduated from Stanford University with a B.S in Mechanical Engineering and a M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering. She also was a 4-year track and field athlete in high jump.She excelled in her career as an Engineer in Medical Devices, Biotechnology, Consumer Electronics, Aerospace and Aviation.Kathy continued her love of exercise as an avid cyclist and hiker. One of Kathy's favorite jobs was working with Niwot High School as the Assistant Track and Field Coach.In 2013, Lyons, Colorado was decimated by floods. Kathy dedicated many long hours for several years to the Lyons Volunteers to help them re-build. Because it was Kathy's wishes that there be no funeral or ceremony, a Lyons Legacy Fund has been established in her memory. Please visit www.KathyUnruh.com to learn more about Kathy, see photos and donate to her fund.She wanted her ashes spread on the family farm near Courtenay, ND.Kathy will always be remembered for her love of Monarch butterflies and sunflowers, North Dakota and Colorado heritage, family dogs (especially basset hounds), Fighting Sioux hockey and reading. She was proud to be an Icelander empowered by Northern Lights and was a skilled designer and builder. She was especially known for her imagination, creativity, curiosity and inspiration.Whether you knew her as Kathy, Kathmo, Un, or Käthe (Kate-ah), her talents and achievements were truly amazing. May her spirit sparkle and her light shine forever.