Hello all; I hope you are each having a really nice week.

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A Celebration of Life for our dear friend Kate Hart is being observed Wednesday, September 30 at 11am, at the Oakdale Rodeo Grounds. We honor the life of a beautiful rodeo woman. There was nothing Kate loved to do more than go riding or roping with her beloved daughter Tamra. As we say goodbye to our dear friend, we remember the love she had for each of us and the immense love she had for her beloved family and for her beloved Valley Home. Kate was well-known in the rodeo world. She was an amazing cowgirl and an excellent horsewoman. Kate loved to rope and ride and did so many times with friends and family. She was also very well known in Valley Home for her years of service … her dedication to her community. I can remember during the early days of the Valley Home Fall Harvest Festival, Kate was determined to get the rock-climbing wall to come out to the festival. Back in those days, we held the Harvest Festival over on the small campus and we needed lights to make sure the rock-climbing wall was lit up. Mike Monschein and Karen Monschein provided the lights. They actually provided enough lighting for the entire Harvest Festival that year and that climbing wall did come to Valley Home. Kate was involved in so many important things in Valley Home. She and good friend Tammy Smith worked along with other Valley Home community members to get the school bond passed and we now have a beautiful gymnasium. Our gymnasium is named in honor of Kate’s dear friend, Bonnie Gellerman. Kate was a strong supporter of our Valley Home Community Park, always helping with fundraisers that brought our beautiful little park to reality. And long afterwards, she was there to support maintenance and other expenses. Kate loved our Valley Home Christmas Parade and being a part of it. She loved visiting with her neighbors and friends. Back in those days we had our traditional 4-H Christmas dinner in the gym after the parade. Kate always made sure she brought several delicious dishes. She spent much time with her Valley Home neighbors and her Knights Ferry neighbors, walking precincts, hoping we could pass a measure that would keep our fire stations open, each of them. She was an amazing advocate for our community. Kate was a dedicated supporter of our Valley Home School, always helping in the classroom and on field trips. She was a beloved mother and sister and a tremendous friend to all who knew her. She was very special to so many of us. Rest in heavenly peace, our precious Kate.

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As always, you may reach me by text or telephone at 209-985-5233. Until next time, “Happy Trails to All!”