Kathryn M. Davidhizar, 57

| November 7, 2011 9:00 PM

of Soldotna, Alaska

Daughter of Francis Glaus and Pauline Van Buren, Kathryn Marie Davidhizar was born at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 25, 1954. She passed away Oct. 30, 2011, at Kootenai Medical Center in Coeur d'Alene after a three-year struggle with breast cancer.

Kathy was raised in Superior, Wis. In 1974 Kathy met her husband, Vern. In 1976 the couple moved to Alaska and were married in the town of Cordova. The couple later moved to Soldotna, Alaska, where Vern established a medical practice and the couple's four children, Matthew (1978), Morgan (1982), Justin (1985) and Amanda (1987), were born.

Kathy and her family lived in Alaska year-round until 1994, when they purchased a home in Post Falls and later in Hope. Kathy spent many wonderful summers and holidays with family and friends near Coeur d'Alene and in Hope on majestic Lake Pend Oreille.

Kathy was an exceptional woman. She managed Vern's family medical practice; authored a self-help book and lectured to women; and was a no-kidding world-class cook who could school Wolfgang Puck and other so-called "celebrity chefs." Kathy enjoyed cooking; gardening; traveling; hosting friends; making stained-glass art; bike riding; cooking; vacationing in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; kayaking in Tutka Bay, Alaska; sky-diving (prohibited by Vern once she started having children); cooking; spending time with her children, siblings and grandchild; and attending church. Did we mention cooking?

Kathy is survived by Vern; their four children and 7-year-old grandson, Dylan. All live in Alaska except Matthew, who is a U.S. Marine stationed in San Diego, Calif. Kathy's five siblings (Jeff, Paul and Mike Glaus, Laurie Solberg and Debbie Denny); mother-in-law Lynette and father reside in the lower 48.

Her children will especially miss Kathy. A dedicated, caring mother and spirited leader, Kathy was the matriarch of her family. She always went the extra mile to ensure that every holiday was special, every reasonable need was met, and was always available to provide life advice and a shoulder to cry on.

Please visit Kathryn's memorial and sign her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.