Katherine Yvonne Ruettgers

Katherine Yvonne (Aveiro) Ruettgers age 77, passed  away on August 18, 2023. She was diagnosed with Glioblastoma in early August 2023, and chose to keep this news within the family. Despite her immense bravery and the efforts of her doctors, treatment was unsuccessful. Her final moments were spent peacefully in her home in Cheyenne, Wyoming surrounded by her loving husband and her daughters; Ann and Renee.

Katherine Yvonne (Aveiro) Ruettgers was born on December 10, 1945 to Violet (Abreu) and George Averio (both deceased) in Paia, Maui, Hawaii. Kathy was the second of six siblings; George Jr (deceased, survived by wife Stephaine), Archie (deceased), Valentine (Tina), Jackie (Glenn deceased) Souza and Auther (Lauralea). Kathy grew up in Camp Maui (Kokomo) Maui, and graduated from Maui High School in 1964.

Kathy married Ron Ruettgers on February 4, 1967 in Saint Joseph's Catholic Church, Makaweo, Maui. Ron was still in the military so they lived at Barbers Point Navel Air Station. Upon Ron receiving his Honorable Discharge from the US Navy in April 1970, they moved to Pittsburg, PA and then on to Alexandria, VA, where they lived until 1975 before returning to Maui.

In 1979, they returned to the mainland and settled in Rawlins, Wyoming where Kathy started a profession that she truly loved- a home day care. The children all loved her and referred to her as Grandma regardless of where they saw her. Kathy would go to city sponsored events, and within the hour she would have a dozen children she cared for hanging around her. In 2006 when Ron retired from the Wyoming Department of Corrections, they decided to move to New Providence/Union, Iowa to be closer to Ann and her children. In March of 2015, Ron and Kathy returned to Wyoming and settled in Cheyenne.

Kathy is survived by her husband of over 57 years, Ron, and three daughters; Madeline Renee (Alan) Krysl, Christine (Christopher) Humphrey, and Ann Marie (Philip) McCall. Twelve grandchildren, Michael Willcox, Brian (Katarina) Willcox, Jacob Schumacher, Aaron (Mallory) Willcox, Derrick McCall, Nicholas (McKenzie) McCall, Jordyn McCall, Makaela Ann Humphrey, Emma Humphrey, Abigail Humphrey, Jared Krysl and Heather (Duane) Casey. Kathy is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren. Kathy was extremely fond of her nieces and nephews in Maui; Valentine Aveiro Jr., John Aveiro, Jodie Aveiro, Kyle Souza, Launa (Matt) Kele, Michelle Souza, Francine Aveiro and Scott (Tezrah) Aveiro and all of her great nieces and nephews.

Her strength, kindness, and patience were a testament to her character and will forever be remembered by those that knew her. A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, September 24, 2023 from 1PM-3PM at Lions Park North Picnic Shelter (adjacent to the Aquatic Center) Cheyenne, Wyoming.

In lieu of flowers, Kathy's family kindly request donations be made to Common Ground Collective for Lahaina, Maui Fire Relief in Kathy's honor via Venmo @cgcmaui or PayPal @ Common Core Collective.