Katherine 'Kate' Ann Parkin, 61

Katherine “Kate” Ann Parkin, 61, passed away on Sept. 21, 2011.

Kate was born May 9, 1950, in Portland, to Henry and Elaine Parkin. She was raised in Portland. She graduated from Clackamas High School in Milwaukie, Ore.

Kate went to Oregon State University where she received her bachelor's degree. During her time at OSU, she also worked part time at a veterinary clinic. She also attended Linn-Benton Community College in Oregon and Boise State University, where she received her master's degree in water treatment and continued education in aquatic entomology.

After graduating college she spent a year working at a waste water treatment facility on Maui, Hawaii. She then moved to Boise, Idaho, where she worked at the Boise City Waste Water Treatment Plant. She later took a job at the Idaho State Bureau of Labs in the field of aquatic entomology.

After several years at the State Lab, she quit her job and started her own business as an aquatic entomologist, working from home.

Kate met Jerry in Boise where they lived for six years, prior to moving to Kalispell where they were married and had a happy, busy life together.

Kate had a passion for life, and in her pursuit of all her varied interests she had a wide range of happy experiences. Because of her varied interests, Kate met a lot of people. She valued all her friends and they all had a place in her heart.

Kate was a talented artist with interests in many mediums. While she enjoyed the experience and challenge of many mediums, her two favorites were watercolor and pastel. During her years in Boise she created illustrations that were published in magazines. Over the past year she was fortunate enough to complete a horse sculpture that was bronzed to reflect her passion for horses.

Kate also enjoyed the outdoors, animals and especially horses. She was an avid rider and enjoyed volunteering in the horse community in organizations, events and special causes that would improve the horse community

Kate was well known to her family and friends for the love and joy she received from her animal companions. They were always viewed as her children. She had a number of animal companions over the years that were always close to her heart.

During this past year Kate had such admiration and gratitude for the many people working at Kalispell Regional Medical Center who helped her. Special thanks to “Super James” in Special Ops, and the entire staff at the Infusion Center. Special thanks also to the “girls” in Kate's Montana Art group for their love and support.

Kate was preceded in death by her father, Richard Crandall.

She is survived by her husband, Gerald “Jerry” Simchuk, of Kalispell; her mother, Elaine Crandall, of Kalispell; and her brother, Larry Parkin, of Newport, Ore.; along with Kate's many friends in Montana, Idaho and across the country.

For those who wish to make contributions in Kate's name, please send them to Foys to Blacktail Trail, www.foystoblacktailtrails.org/. This was a cause that was near and dear to her heart, and she wanted to see this group reach its goal.

A celebration of life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 1 at 415 Orchard Ridge Road, Kalispell.