Kathryn Irene Rupert

Kathryn Irene Rupert, 80, of Jerome, Idaho, passed away on April 23, 2024. She was the third of five children, born June 23, 1943, to parents Bob and Gertie Bartholomew. She graduated from Jerome High School in 1961 and obtained a teaching certificate at Boise Junior College in 1963. She started working at the one-room schoolhouse in Three Creek, Idaho, shortly thereafter. While working there, she, in her words, "met for real" the neighbor boy she had known most of her life, Jim Rupert, who was working as a ranch hand at House Creek. In 1964, they were married, and together, they raised three children, along with countless dogs, cats, cows, horses, and various other livestock.

Kathy continued her career in education, teaching Chapter 1 at Kimberly Elementary School, and various grades at Central Elementary in Jerome. She retired after over three decades of educating children with love and an unwavering commitment to life long learning. After retirement, she and Jim focused most of their energies on the third-generation family ranch and watching their grandchildren grow and flourish.

Her retirement from teaching also afforded her the opportunity to explore a wide variety of activities. Never one to sit on her hands, Kathy's love for children was evident in her work for CASA as a guardian ad litem for many years. She also traveled to Texas to build a home with Habitat for Humanity, pursued a Master Gardener's certification, volunteered with 4-H as a sewing instructor, and was Produce Superintendent at the Jerome County Fair. She was a member of the Idaho Cattleman's Association, and never shied from hand raising calves of her own.

She was a voting member of the Jerome Interfaith Association, handling many of the administrative duties and helping to guide the organization over a period of exponential growth. Kathy was a member of Jerome First Christian Church and faithfully served as their pianist for over 40 years. She was also a guest player at numerous churches in Jerome over the years.

She was preceded in death by her mother and father; her older brother, Curt; and her husband of over 50 years, Jim. Surviving are her daughter, Julie (Larry) Kimball; son, Jeff (Jamie) Rupert; daughter, Jennifer Rupert; brother, KC (Billie) Bartholomew; sister, Sue (Oley) Jacobsen; brother, Carl (Norma) Bartholomew; sister-in-law, Jo (Curt) Bartholomew; as well as grandchildren, Hadley, Jarrett, and Jacie Kimball; Reiney and Reese Rupert; and Gabriel and Cailyn Snyder; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Kathy’s Life will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, May 23, 2024 at Farnsworth Mortuary, 1343 S Lincoln Ave, Jerome.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family on Kathy’s memorial webpage at www.farnsworthmortuary.com.