Kathleen Kay Killian

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Kathleen Kay Killian, 63, of Rigby, Idaho, graduated from her earthly studies, and was reunited with her parents, brother, and sister, on December 3, 2021 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

On January 26, 1958, in Pocatello, Idaho, Vern and Rhoda (Butterfield) Bennett, along with their oldest daughter, Linda, welcomed Kathy into the family. Kathy was followed, a few years later, by their only son and brother, Randy. Kathy was a climber as a toddler, and her mom always shared how one day, when the family of four was living on East Center Street, Kathy was playing in the fenced yard. Rhoda heard cars stopping and honking in front of their house. There was Kathy standing in the street. She had climbed over the fence. She was around two. Kathy also was not one for dolls, but asked and received a train for Christmas one year during her childhood. She fondly wrote about playing trains that Christmas with her dad.

Kathy was always a tomboy preferring to be doing things outside, not in the kitchen. In school she preferred woodworking and shop classes. Her one regret about high school was taking one home economics class instead of sticking with shop classes. Kathy attended elementary and junior high at Hawthorne, and graduated from Highland High School. She loved learning throughout her life, and part of her learning was her art work. She enjoyed painting Christmas scenes in the windows of family. Last year, for her birthday, Larry gave her painting supplies and she took up painting on canvas.

She was involved in basketball and volleyball throughout high school and college. At Idaho State University she was on the volleyball team, and made the winning point at Nationals. Kathy graduated from Idaho State University with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. While attending ISU, she supported herself by working three jobs. Her favorite job was teaching swimming lessons to handicapped children. She disliked seeing people parking in the handicapped spaces, depriving her students from attending their classes.

Upon graduating from ISU, Kathy substituted until she received the teaching position with West Jefferson School District, as a part time elementary teacher and a middle school coach. After two years she decided to teach elementary full time. She taught six grade for 27 years, retiring the end of the school year in 2013.

Kathy was living in Idaho Falls when she met Larry. They soon realized that they were meant to be together, and the age difference didn’t matter. Larry was as young as Kathy in heart and spirit.

They were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on July 18, 1997. Kathy was happy that all of her family attended with them. They spent their honeymoon in Park City, Utah, and the rest of Kathy’s life in bliss. They are looking forward to Eternity together. Kathy served alongside Larry for 12 years as a Family History Missionary. They did everything together.

Kathy is survived by her loving husband and best friend, Larry Killian of Rigby, Idaho; her sister-in-law, Lisa Bennett of Chubbuck, Idaho; her brother-in-law, Murry Larsen, of Pocatello, Idaho; and her sister-in-law, Jeree Killian Gamble (John Gamble). She is also survived by her nieces; Rachael Bennett; Saren Bennett (Colton Williams); Patricia Hoggatt; and her nephew, Kerry Larsen (Jen)

She was preceded in death by her parents Vern and Rhoda Bennett; her sister, Linda Larsen, and her brother, Randy Bennett.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 9, 2021 the Menan LDS Stake Center, 698 North 3600 East, Menan, Idaho 83434. The family will meet with friends prior to services from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m., Thursday. Interment will follow at the Annis Little Butte Cemetery.