Kathryn “Katie” Smith
Katie passed away May 23rd, 2015, in Fort Collins, Colorado, surrounded by her family. She was born June 9, 1929, in Sheridan, Wyoming, the 6th of 12 children born to John and Mary Nieslanik. The family moved to Spring Valley when she was six months old, where Katie remained a lifelong valley resident. She graduated from Garfield County High School in 1947, married Louis Pappas in 1948, and they later divorced.
Katie married Emmett “Smitty” Smith on November 26, 1965. While raising their family, they enjoyed fishing, camping, attending their children’s sports and activities, and weekly card games with their dear friends, Dan and Ellen Quigley.
Katie retired after 25 years with Mountain Bell in 1984, and she and Smitty became snowbirds, wintering in Bullhead City, Arizona, and then Mesquite, Nevada. Playing quarter poker machines was a favorite pastime, and her ability to draw inside straights was amazing!
A wonderful cook, Katie filled her cookie jar regularly and her cinnamon rolls were the best! And attending the annual Nieslanik family reunion was always a highlight, great times spent with her siblings and large family, sharing terrific food and dancing to those great polka bands!
Ever-cheerful and kind, Katie was a friend to all she met and will be remembered with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. She was preceded in death by a son Daniel Pappas, her husband “Smitty,” her parents, three sisters and a brother. She is survived by sisters Berniece Kennedy and Frances Mattivi; brothers John (Theresa) Nieslanik, Paul (Celia) Nieslanik, Bob Nieslanik, Jim (Sharon) Nieslanik and Ray (Elaine) Nieslanik; daughters Chris Steuben and Susie (Bob) Ewing; sons Rocky (Margaret) Pappas, Dennis (Stephanie) Pappas, Mark (Joni Bates) Smith, Scott (Brenda) Smith, Greg (Tammy) Smith; fourteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
There will be a rosary at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 29th, followed by Mass of the Resurrection at St. Stephen Catholic Church in Glenwood Springs. Interment will follow at Rosebud Cemetery. Please join the family at the Elk’s Lodge after the service. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephen Catholic School, 1885 Blake Avenue, Glenwood Springs, CO.
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