Mindy Applegate, Death: Mindy Applegate, 59-year-old, of Montezuma, died on Monday, November 21, 2021, at the Satanta District Hospital with her family by her side. Born Mindy Sue Applegate on February 14, 1962, in Hays, Kansas. She is the daughter of David and Mary Lee (Powell) Harris. She spent her childhood in Protection, graduating from Protection High School in 1980. She then attended St. Mary of the Plains in Dodge City, where she played basketball. Mindy graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English education in 1984. After graduation, she took a job with Arrowhead West in Dodge City. She made the move to Montezuma where she taught seventh and eighth grade English and junior high physical education in 1987. Since athletics was a part of her life as well, she gladly jumped into coaching junior high girls volleyball, basketball, and track. In 1995, she also received a Master of Arts degree from Fort Hays State University.
She got married to Mark Applegate on July 2, 1988. They gave birth to two sons Gabe and Eli and raise them in Montezuma. She became the high school English teacher and school improvement coordinator when South Gray High School was formed. When the opportunity arose in 2001, she made the move to Southwest Plains Regional Service Center in Sublette as an educational consultant. She never stopped learning nor leading. She was passionate about sharing her knowledge, leadership, and skills with others. Mindy also served as an outreach educator for Dodge City Community College for teaching Public Speaking and English Comp. For over 30 years she served as Mark’s assistant not only in life but also on the sidelines. She is survived by her husband Mark, her two sons, Gabriel and Eli, two grandsons, Andrew and Declan, siblings, Marcie and Mitchel, many nieces and nephews, a host of friends, and numerous students.
Mindy’s Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 27, 2021, at 10:30 am at South Gray High School Gymnasium, Montezuma, with Mr. Jeff Hiers presiding. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery in Montezuma. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Montezuma on Friday, November 26, 2021, from noon to 8:00 PM. with the family present from 5-7 PM. Memorials are suggested to The Perfect Fit Foundation for Autism in Dodge City in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com. Mindy’s family would like to extend their appreciation for the help and support she received during this journey.
Mitchell Burns shared a post on Facebook remembering her as a coach and a mentor, the post read “Mindy was a part of my first year of teaching. She helped mentor first-year teachers in our district. She was always bright and vibrant and I always enjoy her training sessions. A couple of years ago there was a professional development event at Sublette High School and Mindy and Coach Applegate were one of the breakout sessions and it was by far the best one there. She was one of the best. Thinking about this community and all the people that have been affected. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.”
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