Kathryn Loraine Rippee

Born March 4, 1929 in Chillicothe, MO to Josie and Lawrence Boswell. Kathryn spent her youth in Missouri until she completed elementary school. That same year, 1941, the family moved and settled in Cowiche.

Kathryn was a member of the first graduating class of Highland High School in 1945 at the age of 16. It was in high school where she met and dated our father, Walter. They were married, two years later, on Friday, June 13, 1947 after he returned from service in the Army.

Daughter Kathy was born a year later and they settled in their new home in Union Gap with daughter Karen and son David arriving over the next few years. She and Dad lived in that house for 55 years, raising our family and creating lasting memories for us and all our friends.

Mom’s greatest joy was being with family. She was always involved and took her role as “Housewife” to the next level. She was a room mother for us all in elementary school, 4-H leader for sister Kathy, assisted with Bluebirds and Campfire Girls for Karen and was father’s official scorekeeper for all the years he coached baseball. Not only did she care for the family, the door was always open in the neighborhood, which our friends growing up can attest.

Mother was forever busy, her hobbies were few, though she was an accomplished seamstress; sewing, knitting and crocheting were the norm. It was just two weeks ago that she was behind the sewing machine doing an alteration for her friend, Elaine.

Everyone’s fondest memory will always be her cooking skills. She could make anything out of nothing. She could feed an army or a few, it did not matter. She broke the mold with her pies, especially peach cobbler, apple and strawberry rhubarb. Fried chicken, clam chowder, biscuits and gravy and potato salad will never be the same.

Mom always made sure we had an annual family vacation which would almost always be on the Washington coast. Tent camping, clamming, berry picking and fireworks.

When Walt retired in 1982 they enjoyed traveling and having fun. Hopping in the camper (RV came later) and going, without knowing where they would end up. Highlights were trips to Alaska, Washington DC, Hawaii, and going on several cruises.

During their retirement is when their life got busy again. She was blessed with her two grandsons, Dana and David. Nana and Gramps served their roles well, immersing themselves with the grandkids their entire lives, especially around their baseball years, and loved every minute of it.

Describing mother in a few short words is nearly impossible. She was the coolest mom ever, up to the end. We and all who knew her remember her as the most generous, kind and selfless person. Those she touched were truly blessed.

Kathryn is survived by two daughters, Kathy Segriff of Williston, FL, Karen Rippee of Klamath Falls, OR, a son, David (Debbie) Rippee of Selah, WA, grandsons, Dana and David Fiskland of Yakima, and two great grandsons, Cole and Benjamin Fiskland, also of Yakima.

Kathryn was preceded in death by her husband, Walter G, her parents, brother Lawrence Boswell, and Buffy.

The family will announce and hold a celebration of Mom’s life this spring.