Kathryn Mae Miner

Kathryn Mae Miner

Longmont, Colo.

Kathryn Mae Miner of Longmont, Colo., beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, died on Nov. 14, 2023, at The Bridge Assisted Living in Longmont, Colo. Kathryn was born on Nov. 3, 1939, in Belle Plaine, Iowa, to Mike and Lyda Bennet Hoover.

Kathryn was a devout Christian and began teaching Sunday School when she was 11 years old. She met the love her life, Carroll Miner, in Belle Plaine when she was 13. Their courtship was filled with church events, ice cream socials, and family gatherings. Carroll proposed to Kathryn on the day she graduated from high school. The two married on Nov. 23, 1955, just weeks after Kathryn’s 18th Birthday. Kathryn loved to tell the story about how they married so close to Thanksgiving so they could have a real honeymoon because Carroll had a few days off from his job at Amana Appliances. The two lived in a small apartment in Cedar Rapids for a few years, and returned to Belle Plaine when Carrol was hired by the school district’s transportation department.

In 1962, Carroll and Kathryn had the opportunity to move to Colorado. Both loved the mountains and wanted to raise their family in “God’s country.” Carroll began working for the Boulder Valley School District as a bus driver. Kathryn was known for her resourcefulness and found their home in South Boulder, Colo., and gave the owner a down payment of $17.

In 1964, Kathryn and Carroll welcomed their first son, David. In 1970, Timothy was born; and in 1972, their third son Robert was born. Kathryn wanted more children and was thrilled when she learned she was expecting a fourth baby. Sarah Marie was born on July 5, 1976. Sadly, she was diagnosed with several debilitating birth defects, including a heart condition that would take her life at 5 months old. Kathryn found great strength in her faith and never forgot her little girl. She recently mentioned how she looked forward to being reunited with her.

In 1977, the family moved to Longmont to escape Boulder traffic and help start a new Four-Square Church. Both Kathryn and Carrol helped build the church brick-by-brick and member-by-member. The church was their life blood and they made sure their boys attended regularly. Kathryn believed in the power of prayer and could often be found praying with anyone she could find. Once their children went to school, Kathryn became a certified travel agent where she helped people book their dream vacations. She also served as Crew Member at McDonald’s where she developed a love for McDonald’s burgers. All three of her kids remember her bringing home burgers as a special treat.

Kathryn loved to travel and explore. She would often take off to the mountains on her own when her kids were in school. She and Carroll traveled to the Holy Land in the early 1990s. Carroll wasn’t fond of traveling but that did not stop Kathryn. She had no fear and explored Europe and Mexico on her own. Kathryn began doing research on mission work in Mexico and made several mission trips there and considered the people she met to be her adopted family.

In 1997, Carroll and Kathryn returned to Belle Plaine to retire and be closer to their two granddaughters, Rebecca and Renee. They purchased a Victorian home and enjoyed fixing it up. Kathryn loved being a grandma. She was known for her amazing cakes, her beautiful crafting, and her meticulous scrapbooks detailing her travels and family history. After returning to Iowa, Carroll and Kathryn were founders of Life Spring Four Square Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and both worked tirelessly to make the church a home to many believers.

After 66 years of marriage, Kathryn lost her soul mate Carroll in May of 2023. Kathryn had always wanted to move back to Colorado to be closer to two of her sons and the mountains. Despite many health problems, she took the leap and moved back to Longmont. She became a resident at The Bridge Assisted Living where she stole the hearts of her caregivers. She loved having her own apartment and was excited about her new-found independence. She enjoyed coloring, watching endless hours of Hallmark Movies, going on adventures to the mountains, and out to eat.

On Nov. 3 she celebrated her 84th Birthday with most of her family. Often a woman of few words, Kathryn shared with her family that evening that this had been the best birthday she had ever had.

Kathryn is survived by her sister Elizabeth Gates of Belle Plaine, Iowa; her son David Miner and his wife Kayla of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her son Tim and wife Tammy of Longmont, Colo.; her son Robert and his wife Amy of Longmont; three grandchildren, Rebecca Miner Haughey and partner Drew, Renee Miner Heyer and husband Bobby, Jaocb Marsing and wife Rebecca; and seven great-grandchildren, Skyla, Matthew, Emma, Alaiya, Aubrereella, Zachariah, and Theodore.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Carroll, her sister Michele McNabb, her daughter Sarah, and her granddaughter Adeline.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to Four Square Missions International https://give.foursquare.org/give/528627/#!/donation/checkout. Memorial Services will be held in Iowa in the Spring of 2024. Cremation has been entrusted to Blue Mountain Cremation.