Kathryn Ann Halbert, 83

Kathryn Ann Halbert, “Ann,” was born July 1, 1937, in Springfield, Ill. After many moves her family settled in Three Rivers, Mich. She attended Western Michigan University, where she received her bachelor's degree in Education. Later in life, she earned her master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. Education played a vital role in Ann’s life and she was a lifelong learner. She was always seeking knowledge and always reading.

Ann was a teacher at heart. She taught many grades but found her home at Mohave Middle School in Scottsdale, Ariz., where she taught seventh grade math for 20 years. She was a strict teacher who instilled a love of numbers, mathematics and learning in general in her students. She was honored with a student-nominated Silver Apple award in 1999.

In college Ann pledged Tri-Sigma sorority. It may have been through her sorority or it may have just been Ann’s nature, where she learned the importance of giving back. Recently, she proudly enjoyed the designation of Golden Violet, which means she was a Tri-Sigma for 50 years. In the early years, she served as a national officer. She remained an active part of the alumni chapter. In fact, shortly before her death, she joined her sorority sisters via a Zoom call.

While at Western Michigan University she met and married Jeremiah Halbert. They shared 51 years of marriage. Also, at Western, the group of girls that would eventually become known as the “Golden Girls” was formed. The Golden Girls shared six decades of silly stories, laughter and life. It was with those college friends that she and Jeremiah enjoyed many summers in South Haven, Mich. Ann loved the saying that friends are the family you choose. She definitely made her friends feel like family.

Ann was never one to be idle. She participated in garden club, book club, bible study, card making afternoons and always enjoyed meeting friends for lunch. She was the organizer of the neighborhood ladies dinners, loved birthday lunches, and had special girls lunch with her granddaughters. One of Ann’s pleasures was traveling with Rambling Rovers because she was able to see and experience the world, both abroad and closer to home.

Ann and Jeremiah spent the first 15 years of their marriage in Michigan. When they were fed up with the Michigan winters, they moved to Arizona, saying that they didn’t have to shovel sunshine! In 2001, they decided to brave Idaho winters and start shoveling again in order to be close to their granddaughters. Ann played an important role in her granddaughters’ lives and was most proud of the kind, caring successful adults they became.

Ann was a spiritual person who sought a place to worship that filled her with joy. She was so fortunate to find the Lutheran Church of the Master. The members of the LCM community were a great support to her.

Ann is preceded in death by her husband, Jeremiah, and her sister, Barbara Jean Merritt. She is survived by her son, Jerry, of Phoenix; daughter, Katie Snow (Matt) of Coeur d’Alene; and granddaughters, Michelle Grove (Kyle), of Hayden, and Jennifer Snow, of Coeur d’Alene.

Ann was community minded and gave her time and treasure freely. If you are inclined to remember Ann, in lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice, tip your servers well, or send someone a handwritten note. All those whose lives were touched by Ann are encouraged to share memories and stories at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com. A celebration of life will be planned for a later date.

Yates Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of final arrangements.