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Kathryn “Kathy” Unterzuber passed on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, in Annapolis, Maryland, after battling dementia for almost 10 years. She was 75.
Kathy was a longtime resident of Salinas, California, until October 2019 when she went to stay with her daughter in West River, Maryland.
Kathryn Jean Peterson was born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, but grew up in Sheridan and Powell, which she always considered to be her hometown. Kathy attended Powell High School and graduated in 1965. She then attended Northwest Community College for two years.
Kathy married her beloved husband of 52 years, William “Willie” Howard Unterzuber Jr. in 1967. Kathy was a proud military wife until her husband’s retirement in 1985.
Kathy’s career path consisted of being an Avon District Manager for a few years until she started her career and retired from California Insurance Group (CIG) after 32 years. Kathy held positions as a claims supervisor, claims adjuster and claims subrogation specialist with such pride and loyalty. Kathy was also a notary for many years. Kathy also had side jobs, such as Office Max for several years. Kathy always enjoyed and took pride in many hobbies and activities, like gardening and plants, sewing, cake baking and decorating, stain glass designing and continuous activities. Kathy also loved to donate supplies to various schools when needed.
Kathy is survived by her two children, Nickole Unterzuber Bowman (Darren) of West River, Maryland and Stephen Robert Unterzuber (Bianca) of Salinas, California; six grandchildren whom she loved deeply: Logan, Kaden, Abigail, Kohen, Isabelle and Keyen; along with her pup Snoopy, whom she treasured.
Kathy is also survived by one brother and three sisters: Robert “Bob” Peterson (Terry) of Antelope, California; Dorothy Fulton (Gary) of Powell, Joyce Abbott (Rick) of Stafford, Virginia, Cyndie Quinn of Cody, and brother-in-law Tim Cruz of Powell, along with many nieces and nephews. Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Ralph and Geneva Peterson; siblings Margorie “Marge” Cruz and brother Rick Peterson.
Kathy’s family urges everyone to learn more about the disease of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to die. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia — a continuous decline in thinking, behavioral (reasoning skills) and social skills that affects a person’s ability to function independently. It’s a slow heart-wrenching loss of one’s life — mentally and physically.
A celebration of life for Kathy and her beloved Willie will be held in July, 2023 in Wyoming. Instead of flowers the family requests that donations be sent to Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org or to your local school.
