Kathleen Aschenbrenner, 54 of Lead, passed away on Saturday, October 1, 2011.

Kathleen Lea Aschenbrenner was born February 25, 1957 in Wallace, Idaho to Willie and Bernice (Smith) Crites. She was raised in Butte, Montana where she lived until moving to the Black Hills in 1977. She worked for many years at Dave's Supper Club in Central City and 17 years at Alco of Lead before becoming ill. Kathy fought a ten year battle with cancer with the utmost dignity and grace, never losing her sense of humor or the sparkle in her eyes.

Kathy married the love of her life, David Aschenbrenner on September 2 1995. They were blessed to have over 23 years together fishing, camping, and exploring the back roads of their beloved Hills. Kathy had an amazing, adventurous, upbeat spirit that she loved to share with everyone around her. In recent years, Dave helped fulfill her dreams to see the ocean, Yellowstone and even a whitewater rafting trip.

Kathy is survived by her husband, David of Lead; son, Christopher (Darcy) Pratt of Deadwood, her grandchildren; Jesse Pratt , Jhurny Pratt, and Tehya Cox, who were the light of her life; brother-in law, Dean Aschenbrenner of Denver; sister –in-law, MaryLou (Gene) Raetz of Rapid City; nephew, Jason (Missy) Pratt and family of Belgrade MT; dear friends; Jayne, Marie, Fran, Arvella, Cheryl, Tamera (son Andy) and Mikal (daughter Echo); David's stepchildren; Chad, Teri, and Rick; numerous sisters and one brother. Kathy will be forever missed by all who knew her.

Kathy was preceded in death by her parents, Willy and Bernice Crites and her mother and father-in-law, Carl and Evelyn Aschenbrenner.

Services will be Monday, October 10th 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at Lead-Deadwood Memorial Chapel in Lead. Burial will follow at Mountain Lawn cemetery off Rochford Road.