Anne Katrine Hosmer

Katrine was born to Oskar and Hilda (Hansen) Wathne March 24, 1933 in Borhaug, Lista in Norway. At eight years old she saw German troops disembark from their boats in Borhaug Harbor 1941. The German army took over her home giving them just hours to take some belongings and find somewhere else to live outside of their hometown. They found a small abandoned farm house which became their home the next four years of war. Little work could be found in Lista after the war, so Katrine's 3 brothers left for America in 1946 and arrived in Seattle. Katrine arrived a year later with her parents, and had her first banana ever on Ellis Island!

She attended Hamilton Jr. High, but knowing no English she also went to first grade to learn the language. After graduating from Lincoln High School in 1952, she attended Lutheran Bible Institute of Seattle (now Trinity Lutheran College) for two years, then, became a parish worker at Denny Park Lutheran. Later she became Registrar at LBI. In the late 1950's, Katrine and her parents moved to Lynnwood, and became members of Trinity Lutheran Church.

In 1961, Katrine's brother Henry and his wife Louise, along with the Snare's, Teigland's and a single guy from Rock of Ages LB Church, named Bob Hosmer were starting a church in Lynnwood, which became Maple Park Lutheran Brethren Church. Bob enjoyed spending time with Henry and Louise. After a year, Henry said to Bob, "I'll introduce you to Katrine." Bob replied, "Katrine? Who's Katrine?" Henry replied, "She's my sister." "You've got a sister!?" Bob was surprised and thrilled to meet Katrine. They began dating, became engaged and were married December 20th, 1962 at Trinity Lutheran Church.

The Hosmer couple moved to Fergus Falls, MN in 1963. Bob attended Seminary, and Katrine worked as Registrar at Hillcrest Lutheran Academy, Bible School and Seminary. They had their first daughter, Leanna Hildene (February, 1964). That spring, Katrine brought Leanna home, to meet her grandparents and uncles. Katrine wept uncontrollably during the flight, and upon arriving in Seattle, she learned that her brother Sig, had been in a fatal accident. Two and a half months later, her brother, Olav also tragically died. This was a big loss in her life.

In spring of 1965, the Hosmer's were accepted as missionaries to Japan under the Church of the Lutheran Brethren. They completed a 10 week accelerated Japanese language course at the U of W. Their second child, James Edwin (January 1966) was born during that time. On November 6th, 1966 the Hosmer family left for Japan, to minister for the next fifteen years. Kimberly Anne Katrine was born on their first visit home in April, 1971.

Katrine loved her children. Her family was the most important thing to her. She was a fan of her kids and grandkids, attending sporting events, concerts, recitals, and school events. She traveled miles to spend time with them. Their home was a frequent gathering place of friends, food, singing, and laughter.

In 1981, Bob served as Outreach Pastor of Maple Park LB Church. Katrine's gift of entertaining enhanced Bob's outreach. The next 32 years, the ministry took them to Grace Lutheran Church-Okotoks, Alberta; Mission Development in the Pacific Northwest; Anchor of Hope, Stanwood, WA; Calvary Lutheran, Bergenfield, NJ; and Bethel Lutheran, Bellingham, WA. Katrine, working alongside her husband, also worked as Receptionist at Burden Bearers of Seattle and The Western Wheel of Okotoks. Her last years of employment, were with Visiting Nurses NW.

Years went by and Katrine's health began to fail. Dementia was creeping in and becoming more pronounced. Osteoporosis was crippling her body, and near the end, a tumor brought about renal failure. Katrine died and went to be with Jesus in His glory on November 14, 2013, nearly a month short of their fifty-first anniversary.

It was a wonderful life. Their marriage centered on Romans 15:5-6: "May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ".

Katrine left behind to discover the wealth of God's grace:

3 Children: Leanna Kraakmo (Victor), James Hosmer (Sayuri), Kimberly Lund (Rick). 9 Grandchildren: Kristopher, Lindy, Stephen and Karisa Kraakmo; Yui (Hosmer) Zeniya, (Kenji), Ellie and Cellie Hosmer; Emma and Trudy Lund and great granddaughter, Hikari Zeniya. She also leaves behind her sister-in-law Louise Wathne, and many nieces and nephews, whom she loved very much.

She is preceded in death by a sister she never knew, Anne Katrine; her parents, Oskar and Hilda Wathne; her 3 brothers, Olav, Sig, and Henry Wathne; and her nephew Roy Wathne.

May memories of Anne Katrine Hosmer enrich the lives of all who knew her.

The family is thankful to her caregivers this past year: Evergreen Hospital, Emerald Hills Rehabilitation, Lorna Turcott, Esmeralda Franco, Great Shepherd Adult Family Home, Evergreen Hospice, and to her hair stylist of 32 years, Charlotte McDaniel-Bird who kept her looking great - even to the end. Your compassionate care for Katrine, touched our family greatly.