KATHRYNE SMITH

Smith Funeral Home Ltd. & Crematory

Our beloved Mom, Grandma, G-Nan, Aunt and friend Kathryne Smith went peacefully asleep in Jesus on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. Kathryne writes; "To my family, Oh, how I love you!"

Kathryne was born September 12, 1919 at the family farm near Tolstoy, South Dakota delivered by a mid wife as were her brother and 3 sisters. She attended and graduated from a country school near her home. Kathryne received her High School education at a Seventh Day Adventist boarding school, Plainview Academy, in Redfield, South Dakota. Following her graduation she chose to stay home and help on the family farm and care for her terminally ill father. On October 22, 1941, Kathryne married her academy sweetheart, Hap Smith, by her father's bedside. She and Hap made their home on the family farm for one year before moving to College Place, WA, where she worked as a nurse's aide at Walla Walla General Hospital and Hap continued his education. In 1944, they accepted a job at Lodi Funeral Home in Lodi, CA which started their endeavor of lifelong service in the funeral industry. Then for one year, Hap attended Mortuary College in San Francisco where he became a Funeral Director and Kathryne worked at St. Francis Hospital. Upon Hap's graduation, he continued his employment at Lodi Funeral Home. In March of 1951, Kathryne and Hap, with their two year old son, Greg, moved to Sunnyside, WA, having purchased the Newman Funeral Home in Sunnyside and Grandview, WA. Kathryne worked in the business as a receptionist and bookkeeper, dedicating her work and care to the service of others.

The years that followed were not only business and work, but many happy times spent with family; Greg and Carolyn and grandchildren, Grant and Heather, which were so important in her life. The memories of the wonderful family trips with her husband Hap and the trips they took with Grant and Heather, kept her smiling throughout the years. She felt it a privilege and blessing to live in the same town, a short distance from her family, "there was time for work and time for fun". After she and Hap retired in 1986 and sold the funeral home to their son Greg and his wife Carolyn, Hap and Kathryne then enjoyed many trips together, visiting old friends and developing new friendships. Home was special to Kathryne. She enjoyed working in her yard, filling each empty spot with flowers. Through her years of retirement, she enjoyed reliving her many blessings.

In 1999, her beloved Hap was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Kathryne and her family cared for Hap in the home as long as possible until his needs became so great that he required special care and that was provided at the home of Kathy and John Paul. After 66 years of marriage, Hap passed away on May 10, 2007. Kathryne continued to live in her home on Sunset Place for a couple of years before returning to live at the Funeral Home, which she truly loved as it brought back precious memories and allowed her to care for family, staff and participate in the daily routine of serving families. Kathryne is a life time Seventh-Day Adventist and is a member of the Sunnyside Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Kathryne's faith in her friend Jesus brought her comfort and reassurance in eternal life. Her daily living and conversations showed her Christian beliefs. In the last year of her life at Prestige Care and Rehabilitation, she daily shared her faith and love with residents and staff, which brought her peace and joy.

Kathryne is survived by; one son, Greg, daughter, Carolyn, one grandson, Grant and wife Dana, and two great-grandchildren; Madison Elizabeth Bowen and Rachel Taylor Smith.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Johannes "John" and Mathilda "Tillie" Jutzy Knecht, loving husband, Hap, granddaughter, Heather Elizabeth Smith, one brother, Walter Knecht and three sisters, Alma, Edna, and De Etta.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Kathryne's memory may contribute to the Sunnyside Fire Department or to the Sunnyside Christian School Foundation. Kathryne's family would like to thank everyone at Prestige Care and Rehabilitation and Sunnyside Community Hospital for the quality of care and love each person provided. We would also like to say for Kathryne, "Thank you Dr. David Swofford, for your friendship, love and care through all the years".

Viewing and visitation will be held on Wednesday, February 19, 2014 from 10am to 8pm at Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, WA. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2014 at 11am at the Grandview Church of the Nazarene with burial to follow at the Lower Valley Memorial Gardens, Sunnyside, WA under the direction of her family.

If you would like to sign Kathryne's online memorial book, you may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com.