Kathryn was born in Wichita Falls, Texas, to a United Methodist pastor and his wife, and
she grew up in Methodist parsonages. She

graduated from Pearce High School in Richardson, Texas, with her B.A. and M.A. from
Austin College in Sherman, Texas.
She earned her M.Div. from Perkins School of Theology in Dallas.
Kathryn married Rev. Kevin Strempke a month after she was ordained (old-style)
deacon, and they left a month later to serve for a year in the British Methodist Church.
Kevin was an interim pastor while Kathryn did her internship as an associate.
The Strempkes returned to the U.S. a year later and took appointments in the New
Mexico Annual Conference, Kevin's home Conference.