Kathryn "Katie" Elaine Springs Krehmeier

Kathryn “Katie” Elaine Springs Krehmeier, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2020 after a hard-fought battle with respiratory complications related to COVID-19. She was 50 years old. Katie was born August 19, 1969 in Houston, Texas. Katie is survived by her husband, Jeff Krehmeier; parents, Darryl and Delores Springs; brother, Michael Springs and his fiancée, Jen Fabbi; aunt and uncle, Elaine and Ingo Hentschel; stepsons, Clinton and Harrison Krehmeier; and many beloved cousins. Katie was a nurturing soul and surrogate mom to Allie Kessler and “Aunt Katie” to many of her friends’ children. Katie attended St. Michael’s Elementary School, St. Agnes High School, and Alief Hastings High School. A proud Aggie, Katie graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Texas A&M University in 1990. She attended the University of Texas in Arlington and earned a master’s degree in Human Resource Management. Katie worked for Royal Dutch Shell for ten years in Human Resources and frequently traveled internationally in this role. Katie’s interest in helping people led her to attend the University of Houston-Victoria for a second master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. Counseling became her chosen profession, where she worked in successful private practice specializing in mental health and addiction issues. She was a Board-Certified Counselor, a National Certified Counselor and a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider. Katie and Jeff Krehmeier were married at St. Luke’s Methodist Church on May 17, 2014. Katie and Jeff spent happy times in their second home in Angel Fire, NM. They enjoyed traveling through Europe and New Zealand. Katie found joy in many high-energy hobbies over the years, including bicycling and scuba diving – where she became an instructor. Katie was generous with her time and served in many volunteer roles throughout her life. Since 2008, she served as a committee member on various committees, including the Wine Competition as well as a four-year captain of the Auctions Assistance for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Katie was a member and President-Elect of the Houston Junior Forum. Her vibrant personality attracted many people to her, and she formed rich relationships, which often resulted in her helping and guiding others through life’s hardships. Katie had a vast network of friends and touched many lives for the better. Katie was a devoted dog-mom to Jake, and most recently, Josh, who she rescued during a rainstorm and nursed back to health. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Houston Junior Forum Scholarship Fund (www.houstonjuniorforum.org/donate). In honor of Katie, the family also requests that you fulfill her wish to protect yourself and others during this Coronavirus pandemic by wearing a mask. The Springs Krehmeier family will be present to receive friends Tuesday, July 28, 2020 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM for visitation at Dettling Funeral Home, 14094 Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77079. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at 10:30 AM at St. John Vianney Catholic Church, 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail, Houston, TX 77079. Houston Junior Forum Tribute: The Houston Junior Forum (HJF) grieves the loss of Katie Springs who died Saturday, July 25, 2020. During her short four-year tenure as an HJF member, Katie had a significant impact on our organization and our members. HJF benefitted greatly from her keen mind, knowledge base, problem solving abilities, willingness to help, efficiency, inclusiveness, communication skills and kindness. At the time of her death, Katie was President-Elect of HJF and was an ex-officio member of numerous HJF committees. She embraced each role with enthusiasm, and an openness to new ideas and processes. Her love for and belief in HJF fueled her commitment to excellence. Her brilliance gave our organization new ideas, plans and approaches which will help guide HJF in the future. As the 2019-2020 Chair of the HJF College Scholarship Program, Katie transitioned the committee and its systems to a fully online/digital system. This was our Katie; she saw an issue and developed a plan to efficiently reach a resolution. Next, she trained and convinced the rest of us that this could and must happen. This transition brought many benefits to the College Scholarship Program. Her commitment to all HJF College Scholarship recipients were apparent in every action she took. To Katie, these young students needed help and she believed that we had a responsibility to provide the support they needed. Katie brought this same “can do attitude” to the 2017-2018 Conversations from the Heart fundraising committee. This time Katie designed and built a custom website for the fundraiser in less than a month. Our Katie was an amazing woman whose strength allowed her to be intrigued by challenges and to not “miss a beat” as she met those challenges. During her time in the hospital, Katie’s thoughts were for us. She wanted us to know that although she could not always respond, we were truly making a difference and making her smile. Her friends will always value her efforts to reassure us. Katie said in early May that “one thing the quarantine . . . taught me is that it’s important to connect when you can, to let people know they are important. So, if no one has told you today: you are important to me.” Katie, you were equally important to us. We will miss you and your spirit dearly. You will not be forgotten because you made a difference in our lives! Please join us in our condolences to Katie’s husband, Jeff Krehmeier, her parents, Delores and Darryl Springs, her brother, Michael Springs, her “niece” Alexis Kessler, and her many friends. In honor of Katie’s commitment to and love for the Houston Junior Forum’s College Scholarship Program, the family requests donations honoring Katie may be made to www.houstonjuniorforum.org/donate

Kathryn "Katie" Elaine Springs Krehmeier

August 19, 1969 - July 25, 2020