Kathleen “Kathy” M. Yerxa

Kathleen “Kathy” M. Yerxa was born on Feb. 13, 1952, to Albert and Mabel Hoffman in Wenatchee. She died on Oct. 19 in her home in Ritzville surrounded by loved ones.

She grew up outside of Cashmere on the family apple orchard and graduated from Cashmere High School in 1970. She went on to earn her teaching degree from Eastern Washington University. She taught two years in Grandview, Washington, before moving to Ritzville in 1976.

She spent the rest of her 40-year teaching career at the Ritzville Grade School, touching the lives of many students. She spent 36 years of her career in the first grade at the school, teaching the children how to read and developing their love of reading.

Kathy had a passion for reading books: both personally and to children. She also enjoyed gardening, traveling, spending time with friends and family, water aerobics, walking her golden retriever(s) and making chocolate chip cookies.

She possessed great patience and kindness, a quiet strength, positive attitude, and a witty sense of humor.

She was preceded in death by her father, Albert Hoffman. She is survived by her mother Mabel, her siblings Glenn, Marilyn, and Bert, her two children Megan and Patrick, and her granddaughter Jensen.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 28, at 1 p.m. at the Ritzville Grade School in the gymnasium, with a reception at the American Legion Hall to follow. Memorial contributions to purchase children books for the Ritzville libraries can be made to Kathy Yerxa Memorial Children’s Book Fund at any Umpqua Bank or sent to Danekas Funeral Home 207 E. Main St, Ritzville, WA 99169.

Condolences may be left at http://www.danekasfh.com.