Kathryn Kay Garrity, age 72, of Thousand Oaks, CA died Sunday, August 6, 2023 at her home under hospice care. Graveside services will be 11:00 AM Friday, September 15, 2023 at the Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell, SD.

Kathy was born February 28, 1951, to Margaret and Harvey Pueppke, Mitchell.  She went to school there and graduated from Mitchell High School in 1969.  After graduation she attended Methodist Hospital School of Nursing where she received her nursing degree.

Following graduation, she married Michael Hoscheid, who was in the Marine Corps.  In the following years, they moved to various locations before settling in Oceanside, CA. After settling in Oceanside, CA, she married Karl Garrity and she remained in that area for the next forty years working as a nurse at various medical facilities.  Her last twenty years were spent as a Home Healthcare Nurse - a job she enjoyed very much, except for the California traffic.

During that time, she raised Austin Stover and considered him a son.  They shared many life experiences together and formed a close bond.  She cared about all animals and had many happy memories of her four Shelties, Mac, Sean, Koty and Buddy, whom she considered her four-legged, furry children.

She retired in 2018 and moved to Thousand Oaks, CA, to be near her sister, Nancy Kulpaca, and family. Although she enjoyed the slower pace there, she missed the beach in Oceanside, CA, and her many friends there.

She vacationed in SD regularly visiting family and friends.  She usually returned in the fall so she could see the beautiful foliage.  She had many happy memories of vacationing with her family in the Black Hills.  Roughlock Falls in Spearfish was special to her, and she returned there whenever possible.

Some activities she enjoyed were cruising the beach in Oceanside, CA, walking her Shelties in the harbor area, driving her VW Bug, shopping and more shopping, yoga classes, hiking with friends, skiing, dancing (including disco when it was popular), drinking "skinny lady" margaritas, and knowing where many of the Starbucks locations were so she could make a quick stop for a Latte.

Grateful for sharing her life are her sister, Nancy Kulpaca, sister/friend Nancy Jo Ramesbothom, her son, Austin Stover, her niece Tonya Kulpaca and children, Taylor and Travis, her nephew and wife, Steve and Jennifer Kulpaca and sons, Trent, Tristan, and Trevor, cousins on the Taylor and Pueppke sides of the family, and the many acquaintances she met during her working years.  Her beautiful smile and happy and positive attitude, along with her strong work ethic, will always be remembered.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Margaret and Harvey Pueppke, brother-in-law, Don Kulpaca, and many other relatives and friends.

In lieu of flowers, it is requested donations be sent to the American Cancer Society.