Montezuma – Twin girls were born to Clarence and Wilma Ruth (Hart) Rylant on November 11, 1962 in Kiowa, Oklahoma.  When the girls were several years old, the family was separated. A couple of years later, Jake and Mary Koehn of Montezuma adopted one of the twins.  They named her Kathy Jo. Finally, Jake and Mary had a little girl to love and love her they did.

They soon realized that Kathy Jo was one of God's special children. Kathy Jo received most of her education in Dodge City.  As a child, she loved biking the streets of Montezuma and knew most everyone in town.  The night that Jake unexpectedly passed away was very hard for Kathy Jo.  He dad had been a great stabilizer in her life.  As the years passed, Kathy Jo became more independent and moved into a house on main street in Montezuma, where she took care of herself and her little dog.

Kathy Jo married Jesse Amaro, who had been a school classmate.  They spent several years in Dodge City before moving to Oklahoma.  A few years later, when her mother, Mary, passed away, all Kathy Jo had left to call her own were memories.  When her health began to fail, Kathy Jo was admitted to a nursing home facility in Oklahoma.  She loved to crochet and spent many hour making baby blankets, afghans, and hats for the homeless.  A skein of yarn was a treasured gift.  Later, Kathy Jo was moved to Moran Manor, where she spent her final years.  She reached out to old friends by phone during the last while and often talked about the love she felt during her childhood and the people that touched her life.  Kathy Jo passed away the morning of August 15, 2021, reaching the age of 58 years.

She is survived by a sister, Ruth C. Pittser of Manford, Oklahoma; her twin sister, Connie L. Adams and husband, Claude of Dumas, Texas; and a special friend, Charles Miller of Manford, Oklahoma.  She is preceded in death by her birth parents as well as her adoptive parents.

A graveside service will be held at Montezuma Mennonite Church Cemetery on Sunday, September 19, 2021 at 3:30 PM.  There is no visitation as cremation has taken place.  Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma is assisting the family.  Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.