Katherine "Kathy" G. Rinker

Kathy was number 6 of eight children, and she loved her siblings immensely. She loved telling stories about her family and their history. She attended St. Paul’s Catholic School and graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy in 1964, remaining close friends with her classmates until her death. Kathy was a nanny for her sister Joann in New York before marrying Robert Little and having son Christopher Little. She became a bank teller and a loan officer for First Interstate Bank after they divorced.

Kathy married Charles (Ted) Rinker in 1980. They blended his children (Gynithe & Donovan) with Chris and completed the family by having daughters Cynthia and Jessica. Kathy was a great PTA mom, 4H/Camp Fire/youth group leader, reunion planner, meticulous housekeeper, gardener, and determined DIY-er. Kathy loved adventure, travelling, and learning. She attended night school and graduated from City University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. She worked for several accountants before following her true passion of working with children. She worked at Mountainview Elementary as a special education and reading parapro before returning to school for her teaching degree after she and Ted divorced. Kathy retired as a special education reading teacher in the Toppenish School District.

Kathy became a paraplegic due to a spinal cord injury in 2016. Despite living with the pain and spasms that ultimately ended her life, Kathy persevered and remained independent, positive, stubborn, brave, strong, grateful, loving, optimistic, crafty, caring, sarcastic, and funny. She had the best smile and laugh, and she loved to joke and tease others. She perfected her crocheted hats, blankets, and scarves. She was a devout Catholic, attending weekly mass at Holy Family Catholic Church and hosting her woman’s bible study group. Kathy always cherished every family event, especially family reunions and travelling with her siblings. Kathy’s children and grandchildren were her passion and her greatest joy. Her granddaughter, Jenna, kept Kathy alive and gave her purpose.

Kathy is survived by: her children Christopher (Christina) Little, Cynthia Rinker, Jessica Rinker, Gynithe Clark, & Donovan Rinker-Morris; grand-children Zachary, Jenna, Jake, Max, Moira, & Freya; siblings Larry (Judy) Fuchs, Joann (Jim) Jundt, & Frank (Katy) Fuchs; sister-in-law Carol Fuchs and brother-in-law Tom Funkhouser; grand-dogs Max & Stella; and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; brother Robert Fuchs; and sisters Dee Rosales, Betty Stohr, and Cecilia Funkhouser.

Viewing will be held at Keith and Keith Funeral Home, Yakima, on Monday, June 19, 2023, from 4-8 p.m., with a rosary and vigil at 5pm. A Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Family Catholic Church, Yakima, will be held on Tuesday, June 20th,2023 at 10:30 a.m. A celebration luncheon will follow immediately. Please come dressed in bright colors and celebrate her life with us. Kathy will be cremated and interned with her parents at Calvary Cemetery, Yakima, at a later date.