Obituary of Kathryn Grant Stidham

Kathryn (“Kati”) Stidham passed away from heart failure on February 11, 2019.  She was 77.

Born in Twin Falls, Idaho, Kati was one of seven children born to Alvar and Margret Anderson. Although her only brother, Gustaf, died shortly after birth, Kati grew up surrounded by five sisters, a clever and loving mother, and a father she adored. After graduating Twin Falls High School, Kati attended Carroll College in Montana and Idaho State University.

After college, Kati taught school in Las Vegas, Nevada.  There, Kati met Sam Stidham who she married in 1963. After giving birth to her first child, Kati returned with her husband to Idaho in 1965. During the next seventeen years in Boise, Kati raised her three children while always working outside the home. She taught school at Sacred Heart Elementary, worked as a secretary for her lobbyist brother-in-law, and served in various administrative roles in governmental agencies for the State of Idaho. During this period, Kati remained dedicated to raising her children, spent time with her sisters and their families, developed a number of lifelong friendships, and began her relationship with Boise State football.

In the early 1980’s, Kati moved to Phoenix, Arizona owing to her husband’s job transfer. While in Phoenix, Kati was an active participant in her children’s lives, attending nearly all of their countless athletic events and supporting all other aspects of their lives. During this time, she continued to work outside the home, eventually being promoted to Director of Human Resources for a manufacturing company with over a hundred employees.

In 1992, after her marriage ended and with her children out of the house, Kati returned to Boise and promptly rekindled friendships and her relationship with Boise State football. She worked for several years as an administrator and organizer for the Epilepsy Foundation of Idaho, serving with a group of colleagues and in a job she loved. During this period, Kati traveled extensively, both in the United States and in Europe. And while she loved visiting historic sites in Europe, the trips she cherished most were her annual journeys to watch early rounds of the NCCA Basketball Tournament with Lisa Kerns, a friend who was like another daughter to her.

In the last ten years of her life, Kati met and fell in love with George Gamber.  With George, Kati spent the last years of her life exactly as she wanted--enjoying family, friends, travel, and sports.

Kati is survived by her three children and their spouses, Erik Stidham (Wendy), Samantha Wolter (George III), and Kalle Stidham (Christina), her six grandchildren (Corey Stidham, Kathleen Stidham, George Wolter IV, Margret Stidham, Rachel Wolter, and Annie Wolter), her sister Susan Brook Finnegan, her beloved partner George Gamber, numerous nieces and nephews, a tremendous group of friends, and an unofficially adopted son, Russell Wilson.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Kati’s favorite charity, the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Idaho. https://www.rmhcidaho.org/how-you-can-help/giving/