Kathryn (Kathy) Idelle Colton

Kathryn (Kathy) Idelle Colton, skilled horsewoman and beloved wife, mother and grandmother passed away peacefully in her sleep at Worland Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center on November 6, 2022. She was 96 years old.

Kathy was born March 19, 1926 in Medford, Wisconsin to Daniel Albert Shaffer and Estelle Jane (Hughes) Shaffer. She earned a Bachelor of Science of Nursing from the University of Iowa. College is also where she met the love of her life, Rex Colton. They were wed on September 3, 1948 in Iowa City, Iowa - just in time to help type up and proofread her new husband's final college papers.

An exceptionally smart woman with commendable dedication, Kathy had a successful nursing career while also rearing three children - Carol Ann, Judith and David. She was a Head Start nurse and director in Worland. She also taught nursing at Miles City Community College in Montana and was known as one of the toughest instructors. While living in Boise, she was a school nurse in the Boise School District for many years.

Kathy took great enjoyment in riding horses in the Big Horn mountains with Rex, fawning over her Boston Terrier pups, reading mysteries, staying active and vacationing annually at Georgetown Lake in Montana. In retirement, she and Rex relaxed during the winter in Apache Junction, Arizona. Kathy was a member of PEO and the United Methodist Church of Worland. She was a talented seamstress, sewing everything from prom apparel to wedding dresses to doll clothes. Kathy was masterful at reuse; nothing ever went to waste. She was decidedly strict while raising her children and later with grandchildren - instilling in each person the values of manners, education and family. Grandma Kathy's house and family reunion campsite was a place of order and fun - and where you could count on hearing "the latest" on just about anything.

She was preceded in death by parents, Daniel and Estella Shaffer, her sisters Sally Rembe and Jeanne Thompson and great-granddaughter, Aviva Rex Segal. Survivors include her children, Carol Ann (Jerry) Kienlen, Judy DiRienzo and David (Jackie) Colton; grandchildren, Chris Kienlen, Curtis Kienlen, Kelly Weyl, Caleb (Tanya) Kienlen, Katey (Rob) Winterholler, Sara DiRienzo, Amy (Matt) Hasvold, Hannah DiRienzo and Lauren (Danny) Segal; and great-grandchildren, Kelce, Macee, Kale, Ky and Kree.

Following Kathy's request, no services will be held. Her ashes will be spread by family at a later date. Online condolences may be made at http://www.bryant

funeralhomeonline.com.