Kathryn Rentz Muntzel's Obituary
Kathryn “Kathy” Rentz Muntzel, age 63, passed away August 18, 2022 in her hometown of Dallas, TX. Surrounded by loved ones in her final days, Kathy ultimately succumbed to complications from Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a disease that she had lived with courageously for over thirty three years.
Born in Lawrence, Kansas in 1958 to parents Roland and Dorothy Rentz, Kathy was the firstborn of four. She was the Big Sister with a big heart and a big smile. A sweet soul with the voice of an angel, Kathy’s ability to harmonize was an indicator of her ability to get along with everyone. In addition to learning piano, she grew up singing and playing handbells in the choir at First Baptist Church of Garland. Throughout school, she was in both choir and band, where she played clarinet and oboe. She was a member of the “Mighty Owl” marching band at Garland High School and graduated in 1976.
Kathy went on to hone her creative skills by earning a degree in the field of fashion merchandising from Stephen F. Austin University in 1981. After graduation, she returned to the Dallas area where she made new friends wherever she went. One thing remained constant, however, and that was her faith. She was an active member of the young adults class at Park Cities Baptist Church. This is where she met her future husband Mark, and where they ultimately got married in 1989. Mark and Kathy shared a love of travel, fine food and good coffee. They experienced many nice vacations over the years, with some of their favorites being Hawaii, Jackson Hole, Cuernavaca Mexico, and cruises to the Mediterranean, Alaska, Canada, and the Caribbean.
Kathy’s last place of employment was UT Southwestern Medical Center, where her work in the insurance billing department prepared her well for her own future patient advocacy. When MS became an unwelcome co-worker, she officially retired from UTSW. This allowed her enjoyment of being a consultant with Mary Kay. Always “put together”, Kathy had a penchant for makeup and a knack for helping people find the products that worked for them. She loved personally delivering her orders in beautifully decorated bags that made her clients feel special. Her retirement also allowed more time to devote to her most cherished role – that of being mother to her and Mark’s son, Jacob. She valued her time spent raising Jacob more than anything else in the world.
Ever the optimist, Kathy was known for her positive outlook. She faced many challenges in her life, but did so with grace and dignity, and never without a fight. She supported the cause of finding a cure for MS by participating in fundraising walks (even if in a wheelchair and in inclement weather), benefit galas, experimental surgeries, cutting edge therapies and looking forward to stem cell therapies when approved by the FDA. She served as an inspiration to many. Her loving husband put it best: “If you knew her, you loved her, and she loved you”.
Preceded in death by her father Roland Rentz and brother David Rentz, Kathy is survived by her husband, Mark Muntzel, Jr.; son Jacob Christopher Awalt Muntzel (fiancée Cyndi Coon); mother Dorothy Nitcher Rentz; uncle Ben Nitcher; sisters Connie (Martin) Voke and Kristi (Carsten) Puls; sisters-in-law Marvelle Muntzel Ditto and Linda Rentz; several cousins and seven adoring nieces and nephews; two great nephews and one great niece.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of New York for research, or the charity of your choice.
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