By Matt Mackinder

There will be a definite void at rinks all across New Mexico this season with the passing of Stepheny Seyfert-Kohlrust following a long battle with brain cancer.

Seyfert-Kohlrust, who passed away Sept. 8, was just 41.

Born in Clovis to Dennis and Beverly (Pullen) Seyfert, she was raised in Kirtland, where she graduated from Kirtland Central High School. She later earned a food science/nutrition degree from New Mexico State University, her teaching degree from the College of Santa Fe and her Master’s of Education from the University of Phoenix. Seyfert-Kohlrust, a lifelong Disney fan, taught science and was the education technology specialist at Lincoln Middle School.

On a hockey level, Seyfert-Kohlrust was active in numerous youth organizations across New Mexico. She was a former president of the New Mexico Amateur Hockey Association (NMAHA).

“Steph was a force of nature, but not like a hurricane, more like gravity – reliable, constant and the thing that holds everything together,” said former NMAHA president Michelle Briscoe. “I never saw her quit giving to our organization … Her boys had been playing hockey for many years, but for her, it never became someone else’s turn to do the work. Anything that needed to be done, most times she was already doing it, and she did it with an exceptional grace and humility.

“As much fun as it is to see the kids on the ice again, something is definitely missing not sharing it with her.”

Seyfert-Kohlrust is survived by her husband, Tim, and sons, Paul and Tylec. She is also survived by her parents, her sister, Kim, brother-in-law Brandon, and their children, Gracie and Mayzie, along with many other family and friends. A memorial service was held Sept. 13 at the Rio Rancho High School Performing Arts Center.