Kathleen A. (Kathy) Mathews

Kathleen A. (Kathy) Mathews was born January 9, 1925. The youngest and the last surviving sibling of 6 children born and raised in Glenwood, IA, to Edward Thurman Nelson and Charlotte Anna Jones-Nelson. When Kathy was 6 years old, she met her childhood sweetheart, Earnie A. Mathews and after a 10 year courtship, they were married in Rockport, MI on January 20, 1942.

Earnie and Kathy together raised 3 sons, Douglas, David and Kurtis.

October 1942, Earnie enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was stationed at Midland Field, TX, Kathy lived in nearby Odessa. Upon returning to Nebraska, Kathy worked at the Martin Bomber Plant as an electrician performing modifications on B24, 25, and 26’s. After the war, they moved to Yakima, WA and started their family. In 1958, they joined the First Baptist Church in Union Gap, WA and began their ministry for the Lord. In 1966 they relocated to Renton, WA after Earnie accepted a transfer with the State of Washington. After Earnie retired from the State, they relocated back to Yakima in 1995 and had just celebrated 54 years of marriage when Earnie passed in 1996. Kathy moved to Selah in 1997 to be closer to family, where she volunteered at the Civic Center, Red Cross and the Selah Seniors Association, where she was Treasurer for 12 years. It was at this time that Kathy met Jean Ruoff and developed a special friendship, always to be cherished. Kathy then moved to Peninsula Retirement in Gig Harbor, WA in 2008 and lived in this active community until 2012, when she returned to Yakima and spent five enjoyable years at Rexford Manor, where she especially appreciated her friendship with Vida Youger.

Kathy enjoyed gardening, canning, reading, genealogy studies, playing cards and going for walks.

Kathy is survived by Douglas & Carol Mathews of Selah, WA; David & Pat Mathews of Redmond, OR; Kurtis & Myra Mathews of Parkland, WA; 8 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and great great-grandchildren.

Kathy wanted to send a special thank you to: Drs. Silva Labes, Antony Kim and Kelly Timmons. Also, Hospice nurse, JoAnn Stillwaugh, Jackie Williams and Suzie Cuevas. The family would like to thank all the wonderful people at Cottage in the Meadow for their care. Thank you Pastor Kevin Quantrell.

There will be a visitation Monday, November 6, 2017 from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Keith & Keith Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Tahoma Cemetery in Yakima, WA.

To share a memory of Kathleen, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.