Kathleen Maureen Hurlimann

1938 - 2014

Lifelong Scott Valley resident Kathleen “Snooks” Maureen Hurlimann passed away at her home on May 1, 2014 with her husband Joe and son Luke at her side. Kathy was born in San Francisco, California on December 16, 1938.


Kathy was best known and beloved for her weekly humor column “The Farmer’s Wife” in the Pioneer Press. She was a founding columnist for the newspaper, starting her writing career in 1974 with her “Chronic Complainer” column. She changed the column to “The Farmer’s Wife” in 1975.


She is also remembered for her gut splitting stand-up comedy routines at local talent shows. She was one of the regular local celebrities to appear in the Rodeo Parade and Fort Jones Christmas Parade.  Kathy was a member of the Sacred Heart Parish Altar Society and was a Eucharistic Minister.


She played the piano, mandolin and fiddle. She was a member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West and Scott Valley Grange. Kathy Hurlimann was an agvocate before agvocates invented the word.  Kathy was funny and brave. She did not alter her views based on what other people thought and said.  She is remembered for her homemade cakes and frosting made with raw egg.


Kathy is survived by her husband Joe. They were married 51 years. In addition she is survived by her son John and his wife Kellie, along with their children Alex and Kacie, Luke and his wife Wendy, along with their children Kaden, Crawford and Kalista, Larry and his wife Cambria, along with their children Delaney and Dawson, Ben and his wife Lisa, along with their children Wyatt, Dylan and Vallory.  She is also survived by her sisters Terri Naylor, Ronnie Bolstad and her husband Larry, and her sister-in-laws Cathy Johnson, Peggy Johnson, Mary Ann Hanna and her husband Tony.  Additionally, she is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Kathy was loved absolutely and cared for in her final months by Tammy Snapp, as well as many close nieces, relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Catherine Johnson, as well as her brothers Jim Johnson and Larry Johnson. She is also preceded in death by her brother-in-law Keith Naylor.


The public is invited to remember Kathy on Wednesday, May 7, 2014 with a Rosary at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Fort Jones, Calif., followed by a funeral service at the church at 11 a.m. A graveside service will immediately follow at the Fort Jones Catholic Cemetery. Those who loved Kathy are also welcome to join the family for a reception celebrating her life at the Parish Hall in Fort Jones, immediately following the burial. Father John Lawrence will return to Scott Valley to officiate Kathy’s services.


In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that a donation be made in Kathy's memory to Madrone Hospice, 255 Collier Cir, Yreka, CA 96097.