Jillian Maybelle Kuhlmann

Jillian Maybelle Kuhlmann was born a mischievous sprite on March 13, 1982. At two years old, while playing Grandma’s upright piano, Jillian was told it was time to find something else to do. Jillian obediently got down off the piano bench and got her dolly, Pearl. She climbed back on the bench, sat Pearl on her lap, and made Pearl play the piano instead.

As a second grader, Jillian decided she wanted to skip recess. She knew her mother would not approve, so who could write her a believable excuse? She decided on classmate April Gene because she admired her nice handwriting. Jillian‘s mother received a phone call that night from the school principal, and the two had a good laugh.

Jillian loved an adventure. She got started early in life when, in the seventh grade, she read about an opportunity for travel via mission trips to foreign countries. She chose Peru as her desired destination and sent away for information. Jillian filled out the application before consulting her parents, and then, only because she needed them to sign consent forms (April Gene must not have been available). It was a wonderful experience and the beginning of a lifelong passion for travel. Among the countries she later visited were Hungary, Austria, Japan, Denmark, England, Argentina, Thailand, Cambodia, Slovenia, Belgium, the Caribbean, Ireland, and Mexico.

In high school English, the assignment was to read a book and write a detailed book report, including title, author, themes, and even quotes. Jillian wrote a report on a book she totally made up, a non-fiction book about Germany, a country she had recently visited over spring break. She earned an A for her effort.

And Jillian wore a tiara to school every day of her senior year. She called it her “everyday tiara.”

Jillian was a K through 12 student at Tonasket, class of 2000. She attended Whitworth University and received a Bachelor's in politics and government from Eastern Washington University, as well as a Master's in public administration.

During her college years, she spent her summers working for the National Park Service with her then-husband, Gordon Wright. They worked at Mt. Rainer, Bryce Canyon, and Isle Royale National Park. She settled in Spokane and, following graduation, worked for Eastern Washington University, with the People to People Student Ambassador Program, the American Red Cross, and the U.S. Census Bureau. She also volunteered her time extensively during government elections, was a docent at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, and provided refugee education with Lutheran World Relief.

After beginning treatment for a cancer diagnosis, Jillian began to experience complications due to preexisting conditions. Her options limited, she made the decision to go on comfort care and passed away in the hospital on July 7, 2025. She is survived by her parents are Bob and Billi Kuhlmann; sisters, Jaima Kuhlmann and Caitlin Lewis; and nephew, Declan, all of Havillah. She is also survived by aunts, uncles, cousins, and many dear friends. Jillian was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jim and Jan Casey of Portland; Leonard and Dot Kuhlmann of Havillah; and Phoebe, her beloved cat.

A graveside interment will be held at the Havillah Cemetery, followed by a pie social at Immanuel Lutheran Church parish hall on August 9 at 2 pm. Feel free to embrace color and sparkle just as Jillian did. Tiaras optional!

We found an end-of-life planning form she filled out a few years ago that asked, “In lieu of flowers, where can friends and family send contributions?” And in true Jillian fashion, she had written, “Send the flowers!” That said, she worked for the Red Cross for several years, and disaster relief remained an important cause she supported. More recently, she started volunteering with World Relief, working with refugees, and was deeply concerned about their plight. Either of those organizations would be fitting places to donate in her memory.

If you miss the sound of her voice, she’d probably like us to remind you that the 40+ episodes of her disaster podcast, “Calamity!” can still be found on most podcast platforms.