Katherine Iles

metastatic melanoma was fought with grace, humor and zeal. She was surrounded by her loving husband and best friend of nearly 50 years, John, and their three children Scott, Janina and Corey. During her final days the staff of Hope West Hospice Care Center showed Kathie, her family and her friends extraordinary care and compassion. Although her time on this earth feels brief to those who love her, Kathie’s passion for people, dedicated work ethic and organizational talent ensured her life was fraught with meaning and brimming with activity. Kathie was born in Denver, Colorado on June 11, 1947. She was the 2nd oldest of four girls and graduated from Evergreen High School in 1965. Shortly thereafter Kathie met a boy and she knew right away she was going to marry him. His name was John and after he served in Vietnam with the Air Force they were wed on May 12, 1968 in Evergreen, Colorado. John and Kathie moved their family to Grand Junction, Colorado in November of 1979. There, Kathie worked for School District 51 in various capacities until retiring as the secretary of Bookcliff Middle School in 2005. She was also a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant for over 20 years and served a myriad of non-profit organizations. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, A.W.A.N.A.’s, Mesa County Search and Rescue, Victim Assistance Katherine Lee Iles (Holmes) was welcomed into God’s final embrace on May 1, 2018. Her brief battle with stage 4 with the Mesa County Sheriff’s Office, Beauty Queens with Hope West Hospice through her Mary Kay business, American Cancer Society Walk for Life, World War II Veteran’s Honor Flight and the Western Slope ATV Association to name a few. She was the consummate volunteer. Kathie served Valley Bible Church and Living Hope Church in different ways as well; always willing to step in when a need was presented. Each December and July Kathie could be seen at the corner of 9th and Main streets directing floats through her well organized procession. Staging and directing the Parade of Lights and the Fourth of July Parade for over 25 years was a particular joy which allowed Kathie to share a smile with so many friends from the community. Volunteering wasn’t the only way Kathie enjoyed spending time. A favorite summer pastime was riding trails on ATV’s with her husband. She also had a creative side; crocheting teddy bears to give to family and friends, cross-stitching presents, hand-making Christmas cards every single year, attaching American Flag stars to cards with a special message for our nation’s Veterans or threading beads to make bracelets for those affected by cancer. Kathie was always busy. It seemed she knew almost everyone too, this felt true every time she and John would enjoy breakfast out or an errand to anywhere. However, despite all she gave to friends and her community she was always there for her family. Kathie and John had three children, nine grand children and so many nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers and sisters. Kathie was the glue that held it all together. She is greatly missed yet each of us is so honored and proud to have been a part of her loving and joy filled circle. Kathie was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth G. Holmes and Dorothy V. Holmes (Hoberg), and her oldest sister Virginia L. Blair. She is survived by her husband, John A. Iles, her children Scott (Robin) Iles, Janina Fiedler and Corey (Shaina) Iles, and her sisters Christine A. Gdovin and Margaret L. Wolf. A Celebration of Life is planned for Tuesday, June 19th, 2018 at 6:30 PM in the Canyon View Vineyard Chapel, 736 24 ½ Rd, Grand Junction, CO 81505. Memorial contributions can be made to Hope West Hospice.