Kathleen 'Kathy' Diane Koontz Rietz, 70

Heaven became a sweeter place when Kathleen "Kathy" Diane (Koontz) Rietz was taken home to be with her Lord on April 29, 2015, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, at the age of 70, surrounded by her family and friends.

Kathleen was born on Sept. 2, 1944, in Spokane, Wash., to Robert and Marian Koontz. The family moved from Spokane to Coeur d'Alene in 1958. She graduated from the Academy of Immaculate Heart of Mary, Coeur d'Alene, in 1962.

Kathleen met the love of her life while on her two-week vacation (at that time she was working at the Idaho First National Bank in Coeur d'Alene) in Seattle, Wash. Don was in the Navy and stationed on board the USS Constellation in Bremerton, Wash. They were married in 1965 at St. Thomas Church in Coeur d'Alene having known each other only a short three months.

Numerous duty stations took the couple to San Diego, Calif., Portland, Ore., Seattle, Wash., and Camp Pendleton, Calif. Upon retirement from the Navy in 1985, the family moved back to Coeur d'Alene.

The couple welcomed three children into their home and set about teaching them the skills to become successful in anything they chose to do in life. Kathleen's children will always remember her as a kind, gentle, patient, caring and loving mother who always put her family above all else.

Kathleen was an accomplished cook and was able to pass that exceptional talent on to her daughters, granddaughters and other family members. A few of her cherished memories were her trips to Hong Kong and Hawaii, and the two years spent in Saudi Arabia with her husband who was working on two hospital projects. She was a generous, witty and dedicated individual, who, like her father, strongly believed in and was tremendously loved by her family.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Marian; her father, Robert; and her sister, Christine Schmidt.

Kathleen is survived by her husband, Donald "Don" Rietz, of 49 years; children Renee Cartwright (Rich) of Coeur d'Alene, Michelle Grebil (Rick) of Coeur d'Alene and Yvonne (Rietz) Mellick of Post Falls, Idaho; grandchildren Andrea Grebil, Lauren and Emily Cartwright; sisters Sr. Linda Koontz of El Paso, Texas, Suzanne Anderson (Norm) of Coeur d'Alene, Melanie Staples (Dick) of Bonners Ferry, Idaho, and Carolynn Deitz (Tim) of Post Falls; brothers Robert Koontz (Julia) of Anchorage, Alaska, and David Koontz (DeeDee) of Coeur d'Alene; and various aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews and nieces.

A funeral is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 9, 2015, at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Coeur d'Alene, with a reception to follow at the church. Fr. Roger LaChance, Pastor, will officiate the service. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Kathleen's life. The family requests this celebration be casual attire.

The family would like to thank North Idaho Hospice caregivers and staff for their tireless care, dedication and efforts in caring for Kathleen. In lieu of flowers, it is requested donations be made to Spirit of the Lord International Mission c/o Sr. Linda Koontz, 8900 A-N Viscount #260, El Paso, Texas, 79925-5897.

Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d'Alene Chapel, has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements. Please visit Kathleen's online memorial and sign her guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.