Kathleen Mary "Kathy" Juenemann

Kathleen Mary Juenemann of Cornelius, died on September 12, 2025 at her home, surrounded by her children. She lived with cancer for many years, after expecting she wouldn't survive after first being diagnosed in 1990. She attributed her extra years to prayers of many family and friends.

She was the ninth child of Victor and Agnes (Smith) Vanderzanden, born May 14, 1944, in Forest Grove. She was raised on the family farm east of Roy, OR, and graduated from St. Francis Grade School and Hillsboro High School as an honor student.After working in the fields, she later took a summer cannery job and then worked at Bell Telephone Company for three years as a proofreader.

She met her husband Paul Juenemann at a local dance, and two years later they married on May 8, 1965, at St. Francis Church in Roy. Both were lifelong members of the Catholic Church. Together they raised four children, Dale (Denise Nemec) Juenemann of Middleton ID, Leah (Gary) Corso of Hillsboro, Warren (Jacinta Duyck) of Cornelius, and Milo (Heather Watson) of Forest Grove. They all assisted in preparing a beautiful 50th anniversary party for their parents.

Living to see thirteen grandchildren, sharing in their music, sports and other activities were highlights. She always had candy in her pocket for the little ones. She loved having the whole family over for dinner on holidays, with everyone bringing dishes. Her pies and desserts were in demand. Kathy appreciated humor and pranks.Kathy volunteered at her children's grade school. Her lifetime interests included sewing, genealogy work, crossword & jigsaw puzzles, growing dahlias & many other flowers, and vegetable gardening. Many happy hours were spent hunting for treasures at garage & estate sales and selling items on the internet. She enjoyed outdoor recreation: traveling, camping, hiking, bicycling, and off-road riding. Together Paul and Kathy explored many back roads of the western US.

Her primary work was liturgical music, playing organ and piano for over 60 years, at hundreds of church services. She had a particular talent for singing alto harmony while playing keyboard. Kathy borrowed music books from friends in the sixth grade, teaching herself piano. Over thirty years later, she took some classes at Marylhurst College, and served as the music director at St. Matthew Church for 12 years. Two of her brothers have been singing with her every week at St. Edward Church until recently, giving joy. She taught herself to play accordion, playing at church dinners; she also was a divinity candy maker for the churches.

Preceding her in death: beloved husband Paul Juenemann in 2020, after 55 years of a happy marriage, also her sisters Joanne George of East Helena MT, Anita Kirby of Florence and Marilyn Murphy of Sherwood.

She is survived by four children, 13 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are 9 siblings: sisters Jean Groce of Cornelius, Ellen Dovey of Spokane WA, Rose Herinckx of Hillsboro, Judy Webb of Tigard, and LaVerna Ascher of Garden Home; brothers John of Escondido CA, Allan of Roy, Rudy and David of Hillsboro.