Kathryn Ann “Kathy” Jezek, age 81, of Tacoma, Washington passed on April 10, 2024 at Northwest Retirement Center after a lingering illness.
Kathy was born July 1, 1942 in Aberdeen, Washington, daughter of Harold Adelbert and Ferne (Barber) Goodenough.
During her early childhood the family lived in Aberdeen, Wynoochee and Wishkah valleys. She started 1st grade at Montesano Elementary. After the big earthquake of 1949 damaged their home, the family moved to the Wishkah Road home where she completed her secondary education, graduating from Wishkah Valley District # 117 as salutatorian, Class of 1960. She also attended Grays Harbor College.
While employed at Safeway Bakery department she met and eventually married James G. “Jim” Jezek on June 1, 1963 in Aberdeen. Kathy began work as assistant manager for Westwinds Motel at Ocean City, Washington, owned by Jim’s parents.
A son, James A. “Butch” was born. They purchased a house in Hoquiam and another son, Shawn Thomas “Tommy” was born but suffered infant death at age 6 months.
Jim was now employed by Prairie Market and transferred to the 72nd Street Tacoma store. They purchased a house in the Summit area of East Tacoma where Kathy still made her home.
Kathryn began a career in the insurance industry with the Bob Beleu Agency. She retired after 35 years with the Washington State Grange Insurance office in Seattle. She was a member of the Wishkah Valley “Timberwolves” and the “Dizzy Dames” 4-H Clubs, Aberdeen and Tacoma Women’s Bowling leagues, Wishkah Valley Community Church, where she was baptized at an early age. She volunteered as a class teacher at Hoquiam 1st Baptist Church, Cub Scouts, baseball team “Mom” and many other programs.
As a member of the Washington State Grange she was honored to be awarded her 50th year membership last October. She served as Master of the Collins Grange for several years, actively involved in projects including award-winning Puyallup Fair competitions, also working with the Junior Grange program.
Kathy was a avid bowler, participating in both league and individual tournaments for many years. She was proud to declare that she once partnered with Earl Anthony in a Pro-Am tournament. She followed and supported her son’s work as a referee and umpire for the Pierce County schools and was definitely a Seattle Mariner and Seahawk fan.
Other hobbies included many craft and fabric arts, especially crochet, designing many of her own patters. She was an amateur genealogist and a charter member of the (National) Goodenow Family Association. She organized and hosts the Association Washington reunion, featuring tours of Mt. Rainier, Mount Saint Helens volcano site, Boeing Air and Space Museum and other local points of interest.
Her husband died prior as did their infant son Tommy and three brothers: Donald, Robert and Allen Goodenough; two sisters: Vivian Stauffer and Evelyn Ward and a sister-in-law Mary Wallace.
She is survived by her son, James A. Jezek at the family home, sisters: Marilyn Peters, Sharon Pauley, Kay Slacka-Bushey and Loni Cooper, brother-in-law David Jezek, her beloved grandchildren: Michael Chipps of California, Marissa (Eric) Coffman of Puyallup and Matthew (Sophena) Chipps of Gig Harbor; great-grandchildren: Jayden, Jordon, JayLinn, Matty Jr., Mia, Noah, Maverick, Lucas, Jaxon, David and Aubrey, and numerous nephews and nieces.
A celebration of Kathryn’s life is scheduled for Saturday, May 11, at 1 p.m. at the Collins Grange, 3404 120th St. E., Tacoma, WA 98446
