Kathryn Shinn

Kathryn was born Marie Kathryn Snyder on Aug. 21, 1917 in Lamar CO, youngest child of Joseph and Anna Snyder. Her father was the railroad agent there, and she spent a lot of time at the train station that was close to her house. Living next door to the Methodist Church there, she remained a Methodist member for the rest of her life. At Lamar High, she was courted by Harlan L. Shinn, a local farmer and they eloped to Kit Carson CO at the ages of 17 and 18. Partially to escape the dry dust bowl area of Lamar, they pioneered to Washington State in 1934 and purchased a small farm north of Mabton. There they farmed, with Kathryn assisting with every chore the farm demanded--the milking, butchering, cooking and separating cream. By 1938, three children were born, Janice, Barbara and Edward. From the very beginning, Kathryn kept careful records of each farm sale or purchase, be it eggs, chickens, cream or corn. Later on, after selling the farm and living in Mabton for a time, they purchased the hop and cattle ranch on the Satus.

She and Harlan developed the ranch for many years, along with son Ed and grandson Kyle to eventually become the current Shinn & Son. Kathryn was the ranch bookkeeper for more than 40 years, no small task, while managing to raise the kids, help out Harlan with any of his endeavors and put three meals on the table every day. At the same time, she kept a beautiful yard, house and garden.

Kathryn and Dad loved to travel and did so extensively. In later years, when she injured her hip and required water exercises, she installed a small pool, arising at 5 a.m. each day to finish her routine before the rousing morning coffee hour in her kitchen. She always welcomed another set of boots under her table and listened avidly as the plans were made for the daily job or setting the next irrigation line.

She was a generous, delightful and independent soul- an example of which all in the family would aspire to be and will sorely miss. She died at the age of 97-- a remarkable woman who never forgot a birthday and drove herself to the hair dresser just last Tuesday after carefully balancing her check book.

Our love and inspiration rises up with her as she walks around heaven with Dad-a loving marriage that lasted 75 years before his death.

Kathryn was proceeded in death by her parents, Joseph and Anna Snyder: Husband Harlan L. Shinn: brothers Chester, Joseph and Harold: and sister Isabelle Hubbard. Kathryn is survived by two daughters: Janice (Joe) Tate of Yakima, Barbara Clark of Bickleton and one son Edward (Doni) Shinn of Granger: Grandchildren: Kyle (Lisa) Shinn of Granger, Carmen (Jeff) Crosno of Spokane, Chris (Miguel) Bazaldua of Grandview, Karl (Nora) McBride of Alderdale, Ben (Julie) McBride, Colleen (John) Jensen and Melinda (Tom) Whitmore all of Bickleton, Curtis (Jacqueta) Tate of Yakima, Brian (Judith) Tate of Sunnyside and Kathy Tate of Kennewick. Also surviving are numerous great grandchildren.

Viewing will be Thursday, January 8, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Keith & Keith Funeral home in Yakima. A private family burial will be held on January 9, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. A Memorial service to celebrate the life of Kathryn Shinn will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2015 at Zillah Nazarene Church, 203 Miles Drive, Zillah

To celebrate the life of Kathryn and share a memory visit www.keithandkeith.com.

Those wishing to remember Kathryn in lieu of flowers may donate to the Yakima Union Gospel Mission or charity of your choice.