Kathryn Schmalz Rackham

Kathryn (Kathy) Schmalz Rackham, 81, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024, in Moses Lake after a long battle with Alzheimer’s/dementia.  

Kathy was born July 17, 194,3 in Ogden, Utah, to William Moyes Schmalz and Karma Chadwick. She was born the middle child of three. She lived in Salt Lake City and Seattle before moving to a farm north of Warden in 1952. In 1961 she graduated as the valedictorian of Warden High School and attended Central Washington State College in Ellensburg receiving a degree in Education and French in 1965. She taught English and French at Tyee High School prior to spending a summer abroad in France. 

On July 14, 1967, Kathy married James Kendall Rackham in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. After living a few years in Seattle, they moved to Moses Lake in 1975. Originally a stay-at-home mother, she later taught in the English Skills lab at Big Bend Community College. She then found her passion teaching in the Education Program at the Columbia Basin Job Corps Center and retired in 2009. 

Music was a big part of Kathy’s life. She was a talented pianist who started playing at an early age. She was gifted with perfect pitch and used to stand with her back to the piano and accurately name each note her mother would play. Sharing her love of music, she taught piano lessons, played with The Keynotes (a local dance band), accompanied countless BBCC musicals, Missoula Children’s Theater performances and various music performances for her church community.

A lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, mostly in the Second Ward, Kathy held many callings over the years including Relief Society president, music director, primary pianist, teacher and Scout leader. Jim and Kathy served in the Columbia River Temple for 10 years together and both tirelessly supported the local scouting program. Her enthusiasm and positive attitudes touched the lives of all who knew her. 

A devoted mother, Kathy was immensely proud of her children, and a spirited cheerleader for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband Jim and six children Julie (Wade) Galbreath, Lynette Rackham and John (Sarah) Rackham, all of Moses Lake, and Laura (Jerry) Moncada of Flowery Branch, Ga., Michael (Melissa) Rackham of Spokane and Kevin (Allyson) Rackham of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, Charles Schmalz, of North Ogden, Utah. She was predeceased in death by her parents and her sister Elizabeth Landes.  

A viewing will be held Friday, Jan. 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Kayser’s Chapel of Memories, 831 S. Pioneer Way, Moses Lake. Services will be held Saturday, Jan. 18, at noon at the Grape Drive LDS Chapel, 925 N. Grape Drive, Moses Lake. Viewing will be held at 11 a.m. prior to services. Graveside services will follow at Guarding Angels Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association. 

The family would like to extend their heartfelt love and gratitude to all her caregivers over the years and at the end to the staff at Lakeridge Care Center.  

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.