The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

Kathleen "Kate" Kazmar died Sept. 11, in Wasilla, Ak. Born Dec. 30, 1964 in Lake Charles, La,. Kate was an avid fan of crossword puzzles and was an ardent supporter of the U.S. Constitution and politics that support the free market economy.

Kate enjoyed Landscape photography, art, science and music. She was an avid hockey fan and collected the autographs of many well known hockey professionals. She enjoyed football and closely followed the Seattle Seahawks. Kate loved the challenge of pool games and while recovering from recent neck surgery, joined several local leagues in Orange and Mid County where she played in Eight and Nine Ball Tournaments.

Kate attended McNeese State University and Mat Su Community College while pursuing a degree in Medical Lab Technology. Kate was a registered phlebotomist and Pharmacy Lab Tech in the State of Alaska.

Kate is survived by her two daughters, Leah Curran Ryder of Lake Charles, Josie Anna Ryder of Seattle, Wa. and her adopted son Dean James Parker of Scottsdale Az; parents Joe and Susan Kazmar and Kenneth and Ruby Elizabeth Steppe, all of Orange; sister Karen Kazmar Smith and husband Brian of Lufkin; stepsisters Cathy Bybee Whitehead and husband Brian of Baytown and Denise Bybee of Houston; niece Ryan Marcella Smith of College Station and nephew Logan Smith of Kerrville.

Kate will be missed by her aunts and uncles Renee and David Donaldson of Baton Rouge, La., Mary and Ted Loftin of Port Neches, Michael and Karen Collet of Dequincy, Marcella and Frank Javier of Anchorage, Ak. and John and Alva Collet of New Roads, La., Richard and Gail Kazmar of Jupiter, Fl., Roberta and Richard Wechter of Spring Hill, Fl. and numerous cousins in Florida, Louisiana, Alaska and Canada with whom Kate maintained a close and loving relationship.

Kate’s extended family includes Andy and Donna Steppe, Kyle Steppe and Adam Steppe of Fallsington, Pa., Erin Steppe of Little Silver, NJ. and Lesley Steppe Reese, husband Mark and their son Sam of Venice, Fl. and the families of former husbands Jeffery D. Ryder of Lake Charles, Jess McBride of Homer, Ak., Judd Walker of Scottsdale, Az. and Robert Butcher of Wasilla.

Although not direct family members, Kate was a loving part of the A. J & Jojeanna Gage family in Wasilla. Kate loved their daughter, Nadia, their son and Jojeanna’s mother “Miss Mary”. They added joy to Kate’s life and appreciated the wit and humor she brought into theirs.

Family members will gather in Alaska at Jenssen Evergreen Funeral Home, on Saturday, Sept. 26, to celebrate Kate’s life and adhere to Kate’s often expressed desire to have her ashes spread on Mt. Susitna, affectionately known to Alaskans as The Sleeping Lady.