Kathleen J. Grebe

June 21, 1932 - October 6, 2013

Kathleen Grebe passed peacefully into eternal life on Sunday, October 6, 2013 after suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease for many years. She lived with grace, energy and a heart to serve. She now rests in the arms of our Lord.

Kathy was born in Denver on June 21, 1932 to Ray and Chrystal Waugh. Her family moved to Greeley, CO while she was in her teens. She graduated from Greeley High School in 1950, then attended the University of Colorado in Boulder before transferring to Colorado State College of Education (now Univ. of N. CO) in Greeley. In September of 1953, she married Burgess Joyner, Jr. of Greeley. She graduated with a degree in Home Economics in 1954. Kathy and Burgess moved to Glenns Ferry, Idaho, where she taught school, and then to Taylor, Nebraska. In 1956 they returned to Colorado and settled in Arvada. Daughter Gayle was born in 1956, joined by identical twin sisters, Pam and Tammy in 1958.

Kathy loved being a wife, a mother and a homemaker. She taught Home Economics in the Jefferson County School District after her daughters finished elementary school. She also enjoyed playing tennis, cooking, knitting and sewing and being an active member of the Arvada Presbyterian Church. She and Burgess divorced in 1981.

Kathy met Don Grebe, a fellow teacher, while working at East Arvada Jr. High School. They were married in Denver in 1983. She and Don loved playing tennis, traveling in the US and abroad, snowbirding in sunny Arizona for many years, and visits to and from grandchildren and other family members and friends.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Don Grebe, who found the love of his life in Kathleen. She is greatly loved & missed by her daughters: Gayle Joyner (Mark Black), Tammy Vaughn (Dave), Pam Barnes (Dave); as well as her 9 grandchildren: Devin Vaughn (Larissa), Amy Hook (Jonathan), Leah Hartanov (Travis), Ethan Vaughn, Tyler Barnes, Todd Barnes, Tracy Barnes, Ian Black and Connor Black, and four great-grandchildren. Other survivors include her dear stepchildren, Karen Grebe Dorr (Art Dorr), Chris Grebe, Greg Grebe (Cathy) and Jennifer Grebe.

Kathy’s family is especially grateful for the kind and compassionate care that she received while living at Mapleton Care Center in Lakewood, CO during the last three years of her life. Also, Denver Hospice supported and cared for Kathy and her family in her final months. Words cannot express the gratitude the family feels for this blessed organization.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Cat Care Society, 5787 W. 6th Ave., Lakewood, CO 80214, or to The Denver Hospice, 501 S. Cherry St., #700, Denver, CO 80246.