Katherine Gail Twitchell

Kathy Twitchell, aged 72, passed away Monday, May 4, 2020. She was born in Montevideo, MN on November 12, 1947, to LeRoy and Vionne Lietz.

After graduating high school, Kathy went to school at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN to become a Medical Transcriptionist. She then married her high school sweetheart, John “Jack” Twitchell on April 22, 1967.  She joined her husband in Wurzburg, Germany, where Jack was stationed with the United States Army.  It was Kathy’s first time outside of the United States, and she was alone at age 19 for one week before Jack could meet her.  During their three years in Germany, they traveled all over Europe camping and eating C-rations. From there, they returned to the US and moved all over the country including San Diego, Washington, DC, El Paso, TX, Long Prairie, MN and then back to El Paso. After living in El Paso for four years, Kathy moved to Benson, MN with their two boys, while Jack went to Saudi Arabia to complete a nine month project.  Jack was asked to stay in Saudi Arabia for a longer period of time, so Kathy and the boys joined him in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. While in Saudi Arabia, she needed to wear a black abaya and there was no TV or radio.  For the family’s enjoyment, Kathy brought boxes of books and games back to Saudi Arabia after visits to the United States. The family also lived in Taif and Riyadh. For recreation, they would frequently go snorkeling in the Red Sea.

After leaving Saudi Arabia, the family moved to Rio Rancho, NM in 1984 where they moved into the house where she spent the rest of her life. She worked at Satellite and Spa Place as a bookkeeper and receptionist. In 1986, Kathy was blessed with her third son, Matthew.  She decided to open a daycare in the house so that she could stay at home like she had done with her other sons. After eight years, she closed the daycare and went to the University of New Mexico, where she earned her Bachelor’s of Education and took a teaching position at Las Colinas Elementary School while continuing studies to earn her Masters Degree.  She continued teaching at Las Colinas until she retired.

Kathy enjoyed reading the Bible every night before bed.  She also enjoyed gardening and talking and visiting with her many friends and family.  She was a practicing member of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Rio Rancho, NM.   

She was preceded in death by her husband, John "Jack" Twitchell; parents LeRoy and Vionne Lietz; parents in-law Teeter and Pat Twitchell; son, Ryan Twitchell; brothers and sister in-law, Tom Twitchell, Sarah Twitchell, Tim Twitchell, and Chuck Twitchell.

Katherine is survived by her sons, John and Matthew Twitchell; sisters, Barb Himley, Vicki Hagerty, and sister in-law Ann Twitchell; brothers in-law, Pat Twitchell and Joe Twitchell; six grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and her beloved two dogs, Tibby-Sue and Brutie.

A Mass will be held at 10:30 am on Friday, September 4, 2020 at St. Thomas Aquinas, 1502 Sara Rd, Rio Rancho, NM 87124. Interment to follow at Vista Verde Memorial Park, 4310 Sara Rd SE, Rio Rancho, NM 87124.  

Donations to cover the cost of the funeral may be given in Kathy's honor to John S. Twitchell, 7936 Roundtable Rd., Frisco, TX 75035.

Daniels Family Funeral Services
4310 Sara Road SE
Rio Rancho, NM 87124
505-892-9920