Kimberly Engelman Tate

Kim’s family was relocated to Bloomington, Indiana and Whittier, California before settling into the Bay Area suburb of Moraga, California where Kim spent the majority of her childhood.

Kim was a tomboy growing up; a girl who loved to climb trees, scrape her knees, hang with the boys, and could throw a perfect spiral football.

In 1974, Kim graduated from Campolindo High School.

In the fall of 1974, Kim moved to Pullman, Washington to attend Washington State University. She joined the sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma.

On January 17, 1976 Kim met Bruce Tate at his fraternity, Delta Upsilon’s First Annual “Blind Date” function. They hit it off instantly—Kim said she knew on that first date that “Bruce was the man she was going to marry”!

In college, Kim studied interior design and graphic design, and graduated in August of 1978 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts.

Bruce and Kim were married on September 1, 1979 in Bellevue, WA.

Kim worked as an interior decorator for a number of years.

Bruce was transferred with General Electric to Tucson, Arizona in 1984. Kim gave birth to Lauren in Tucson on August 14, 1985.

In the Spring of 1986, Kim was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.

In the end of 1986, Bruce and Kim were transferred back to Washington where Paul was born on September 21, 1987.

For the next decade, Kim enjoyed being a stay-at-home wife and Mom, crisis pregnancy counselor, and a Bible Study Fellowship leader. Kim loved to help others, always seeking to aid or comfort any person (or animal) in need. She loved music, and enjoyed dancing. In 1999, her M.S. became more progressive, limiting her abilities to drive and eventually deterring her from leaving the home.

Despite her physical deterioration, Kim remained steadfast in her faith in Jesus Christ. She was a shining example of hope and optimism throughout her battle with a debilitating disease that left her unable to walk, write, or verbally communicate by the end of her life.

Kim went home to be with the Lord on March 5, 2013 at Evergreen Hospice Center in Kirkland, Washington.

Kim is survived by her husband Bruce, son Paul and his fiancé Bethany, her daughter Lauren and her husband Robbie, her Mother Luann, and her Brother Mike and his wife Jane and their two children: Thomas and Laura.

Memorial donations may be made to Kim’s dear friend Linda Lungi whose husband Sam just recently passed away February 24, 2013.

Sam and Linda have been close family friends of the Engelman family for several decades. In the last fifteen years, Linda has suffered through many devastating illnesses, including a stroke, and an infection that nearly took her life and made her a quadruple amputee, losing both her hands and her legs below the knee.

Sam and Linda were both diagnosed with cancer a year ago. Tragically, Sam lost his battle to cancer last month, leaving Linda without her husband and primary caregiver—and left with the financial burden of many medical bills and household expenses. Linda is still undergoing treatment for her cancer.

Kim loved the Lungis very much, and would have wanted to help their family in any way possible. Please consider donating to Linda in lieu of any flowers.

To read more about the Lungi’s story, and to make a donation, please visit:

http://www.giveforward.com/lungifamilyfund