Mary Lou Mattern (Schafer) was a force of nature—still is actually, though she now operates from the other side! She walked this earth for 95 years, sharing her vision of healthy living and outdoor adventure. In modern times she is associated with The Ranch, where she was known as "Cattle Kate"— a gorgeous inholding in the Wyoming wilderness, with lodgings, a cookhouse and a basic recipe for fun for all who adventured there. Mary was our host!

If you injured yourself at The Ranch, Mary was more likely to apply a magnet and some colloidal minerals—forget the Neosporin! Mary was a health nut, shedding prescription meds and opting for nutritional supplements to keep herself and her family healthy. It worked! She kept going strong, caring for many who were her junior in their later years. She "tortured" her young kids, weaning them off sugar long before that was recognized as prudent parenting. Up at The Ranch, she provided fabulous feasts to all who came up to enjoy her great outdoors—neighbor kids, distant cousins, friends and family alike. Mary loved to read and dipped deeply into metaphysics and alternative medicine. She shared her spiritual learnings, through Mile Hi Church and Buddhist teachings, and inspired many deep and rewarding communications among her guests.

Born in South Dakota to two loving parents, Mary was a lonely child and always wanted siblings or a larger family—her brother was born when she was in her teens. So she was glad, as her life unfolded, that she was blessed with many children. After receiving a Master Degree in Nutrition at the University of Iowa, Mary took a job in Pueblo, where she worked as a dietitian at the 150-bed State Mental Hospital. There in Pueblo, she met and married her first husband Bob Faricy. They adopted two kids, Mary Chris and Rob (from Ireland), the first of her brood.

Unfortunately, her husband Bob died young at 38, and Mary finally settled in Denver, living with Bob's sister Donna on Williams Street. She met her second husband, a dentist, Joe Mattern, through mutual friends, Mary and Gerry Ivancee, and they married in 1961. He had two children, Julie and Mark, with his first wife who had died a few years prior. And then son Joe was born, eighteen months later Michael—and Mary had her huge brood—six Mattern children living in the house at 716 Clayton with their parents.

Lots of large families occupied the houses in their neighborhood, all part of the St. John's parish. Those families were the Mattern friends, and they still share in the activities at The Ranch today. Joe and Mary purchased that Medicine Bow Springs Ranch in southern Wyoming in 1971. Bordered on the Colorado side by Three-Forks Ranch, one of the largest cattle ranches in the US—and on the other three sides by National Forest, The Ranch has a special isolation which adds to the peace and away-ness visitors so enjoy. Originally used as an elk hunting location, The Ranch became so much more—fishing, hiking, retreats, yellow jeep tours, picnics, kite-flying, snipe hunting, hot-tubbing, swimming, horseback riding, fresh squeezed lemonade—so many memories. After Joe's death in June of 1983 the ranch continued to be the perfect place for Mary to take her brood and all their friends and relatives each summer. For all who so benefited from time at The Ranch, we will all be eternally grateful to our most gracious host, Mary Mattern!

Unlike most people, Mary got a Chapter Four in her life. After 27 active years living singly on Eaton Street, Mary united with an old friend, Dick Schafer—who had married her Rapid City friend, Dot, 60 years before; Mary was the maid of honor. After Dot was killed in an auto accident, Dick turned to his old friend Mary and began a romantic relationship. So at 80 years of age, Mary embarked on a new adventure in California, and for the next 10 years she shared Dick's life, friends and his hydro-engineering business, driving him to legislative sessions in Sacramento to testify. Finally, Mary had a life of luxury, based in Visalia with a vacation home in Spanish Bay, and her "603" Waterford condo complete with the Trocadero Ballroom baby grand piano, in Denver.

Dick Schafer passed on in July 2021, and Mary moved back to Denver to enjoy her family and friends at her condo and at The Ranch these last few years. While we all wanted more time with Mary, we even had plans for a Fourth of July celebration up at the Ranch this summer—she was ready to move on, and did so on June 1, 2024.

Mary says: "It's been a great journey. Thanks to all my loved ones, most precious family and friends who helped make my life so full and happy. Blessings and love always to each of you, and . . . I'll see you all 'later', I'll be close by and forever in another beautiful home.

As it says on the Medicine Bow Springs Ranch gate, Happy Trails, Mary!

Mary's celebration of life will take place Wednesday, July 10, 2024 from  2:00 - 4:00 pm at the Vogt Chapel 9077 W. Alameda Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado 80226. Reception to follow from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Clement Community Center 1580 Yarrow St., Lakewood, CO 80214.