Obituary of Kathy Grams

July 13, 1946 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

November 2, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

After many years of declining health, Kathy Grams (nee Rutten) passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at the age of 75 years.

Kathy was the fourth of eight children and was raised on a farm near the small town of Marcelin, SK, which is about an hour north of Saskatoon. She completed Grade 12 at Marcelin High School and went on to graduate from St. Paul’s School of Nursing in Saskatoon, where she obtained her RN designation in 1967. Kathy began her nursing career in Winnipeg, MB, and then continued to La Ronge, SK. Further travels took her to Trenton, ON and finally Calgary, AB, where she met and married her husband Bryan in 1973. Together, they raised two children, daughter Kelly, and son Mark. They primarily resided in Calgary, with a short stint in Edmonton. Kathy chose to remain at home during the early years of child-rearing. She was a kind, loving, hands-on mother, who enjoyed volunteering at her children’s schools, hosting sleepovers and being a Brownie club leader. When her children were older, Kathy tackled her nursing refresher course and went on to work at walk-in clinics, a family practice office, and public vaccination clinics. Kathy was known to be an excellent cook, voracious reader and always enjoyed a good crossword puzzle or game of Scrabble.

Kathy will be lovingly remembered by her husband Bryan Grams of Calgary, AB, daughter and son-in-law, Kelly and Doug Kozak of Okotoks, AB; granddaughter Ella Kozak of Okotoks, AB, three brothers and two sisters-in-law, Gordon Rutten of Saskatoon, SK, Doug and Elaine Rutten of Saskatoon, SK, and Ken and Jan Rutten of Prince Albert, SK; and two sisters and one brother-in-law, Lorraine and Bob Postma of Martensville, SK, and Wanda Rutten of Saskatoon, SK. Kathy was predeceased by her son Mark, parents, Henry and Caroline Rutten; brother Wade, and baby sister Jane.

Cremation has taken place and a Private Family Service is planned for the summer of 2022 in Marcelin, SK, details will follow. Kathy will be interred at Eden Brook Holy Family Catholic Cemetery, next to her beloved son, Mark. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Wash and the staff of Larkspur Unit at Cedars Villa Extendicare for making Kathy’s final weeks as comfortable as possible.

In living memory of Kathy Grams, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.