South Ogden — Katherine Gertrude Wallace, 93, of Ogden, Utah, passed away peacefully at her home on May 8, 2026. She was a cherished wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and friend whose presence will be deeply missed.

Born to Gertrude and José Guiterrez on January 1, 1933, Katherine “Kathy” Wallace arrived as the first New Year’s baby of Santa Fe, New Mexico, making an unforgettable entrance complete with a misspelled birth certificate.

Growing up in Santa Fe, Kathy was surrounded by music, a passion she carried throughout her life and shared with thousands. Whether teaching music, singing in her quartet ‘The Renditions’, giving lessons, directing a church choir, or simply playing the piano in her living room for family and friends to enjoy, music was one of her greatest gifts to the world.

Kathy married Jesse Lee Wallace on July 2, 1955, in Tucumcari, New Mexico, at Jess’s mother’s home. They met while attending Eastern New Mexico University. As Kathy would often say, she then “put Jess through medical school” while teaching music herself.

A devoted mother of four children whom she dearly cherished, Kathy created a home that welcomed everyone. It was a gathering place for friends and family alike, where dinner was promptly served at 6:00 p.m. every evening, play was encouraged, community was built, and the sense of family was strong.

Always impeccable from head to toe, Kathy carried herself with grace, elegance, and care. Whether attending a PEO meeting, going skiing, golfing, performing music, visiting her husband at the hospital, or simply going to the store, she was consistently polished, organized, punctual, and kind.

As the beloved matriarch of the family, the reason to gather everyone multiple times a year, Kathy will be profoundly missed. Kathy is survived by her sister, Marylinda, and brother, Amado; her children, Renee, Giles, Kelly, and Zane; her children-in-love, Paul, Julie, and John; her granddaughters, Katee and Ali; her grandson-in-love, Josh; her great-granddaughter, Ember, and her furry companion Harvey. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Jess Wallace.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Humane Society of Northern Utah as Kathy was a lover of all animals and always had a pet in her home from dogs, to rats, parakeets, finches, ravens, cats and more. A celebration of life will be planned for a later date.