Katherine Elizabeth Gempler

Katherine Elizabeth Holden Gempler, born August 5, 1918 in Clarksburg, West Virginia passed away Saturday morning June 1, 2013 in Yakima, WA. She was preceded in death by her parents William and Marjorie Holden, her siblings, William and Ruth and her beloved husband Edward. She is survived by her children Susan Gempler (Stewart Kautsch) and Michael Gempler (Jessica Hernandez), her grandchildren Lara McDonnell, Georgia Gempler, Ava Gempler, Olivia Hernandez, Gracie Hernandez, Solomon Hernandez and her two great-grandchildren Lorenzo and Zeta Chin.

Kay was always an active member of the community wherever she lived: Scotia, NY; Fayetteville, NY; Findlay, OH and for the past 25 years Yakima, WA. She was commemorated for 50 years of service in the League of Women Voters and as President of Civitan in Findlay, Ohio. She was a Girl Scout leader and trainer and a long time participant in the Stephen Ministry. She was an active member and chorister of the First Presbyterian Church in Yakima, WA.

Kay studied speech therapy at Penn State University, the University of Illinois and Syracuse University. She worked in the banking industry in Findlay, Ohio. It was always her mission to work for women’s rights and to inspire and guide young men and women to fully participate in American democracy. During World War II, Kay worked as a telephone operator at the White House in Washington, DC while her husband served in the US Navy in the South Pacific.

From hiking and camping, community theatre and opera and her love of books she expanded the world of her children and all who knew her.

Kay never lost her curiosity, always seeking to learn what new things were happening in science and around the world. Her wealth of knowledge in gardening and the arts of home economics was an invaluable legacy to her family. She will always be remembered and sorely missed. In celebration of her 75th birthday, Kay took a balloon flight. No doubt she will have eternal joy and good weather on her new heavenly journey.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 4 at 3:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Yakima. All are welcome. Memorials may be made in her honor to the First Presbyterian Church of Yakima or the Yakima League of Women Voters.