Person Page - 4475

     Gertrude Evelyn Maude Kreps was born on November 16, 1913 at Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington.² As of January 20, 1934,her married name was Kinnaman.¹ She married Harold P. Kinnaman, son of Dee Webster Kinnaman and Goldie Zella Reeves, on January 20, 1934 at Lewis Co., Washington.^1,2 Gertrude Evelyn Maude Kreps died on May 1, 2015 at Washington at age 101.² She Gertrude Evelyn Maude Kreps Kinnaman passed away peacefully May 1, 2015. She was 101 years young. Gertrude’s strong-willed, unfailing character was one of love and grace, coupled with an abundant sense of humor and pure devotion to her Lord. Family always came first for our matriarch. She was born Nov. 16, 1913 to Jennie and George Washington Kreps in Centralia, Wash., the youngest of five children. She developed into a beautiful, tall, and talented young lady. She was always first choice for the basketball team – commencing her family’s passion for the sport. Gertrude was raised in the same social circle as the very large Kinnaman family. It wasn’t until she was a teenager that Harold Kinnaman finally took notice of Gertrude and asked her to go to a football game. As the rain started to fall they put a newspaper over their heads, and from that moment on they were a couple. They married in 1934 during the Great Depression. Gertrude often remembered fondly how several years later, being ever the resourceful young couple, they once converted a chicken coop into their home. Gertrude had the greenest of thumbs and impeccable vegetable and flower gardens. She was an equally accomplished cook and entertainer. They owned the only radio in the neighborhood so they would host where all came to listen to radio shows and ball games. The Kinnaman family was passionate about card games – especially Pinochle, and Gertrude and Harold would host gregarious card parties, passing their love for cards and fun family gatherings down to their grandchildren and great grandchildren. Their son Richard, who gave them four grandsons Jerry, Phil, Terry, and James was born in 1934. Brother Ramon (Ray) followed in 1938. While Harold managed the Union 76 service station, Gertrude was a stay at home mom. Once the boys were in high school, Gertrude went to work for Profitt’s department store and had an office where she would create store signs with her artistic touch when she was not operating the old-fashioned cage elevator for the building, charming all with her easygoing manner. Gertrude truly was a remarkable artisan, which she learned from her mother who was a master at quilting, needlepoint, crochet, and tattings. Gertrude indeed was a master in her own right, winning a National crochet contest in 1952 for her intricate doll fashions and accessories. She and Harold “retired” moving to beautiful Steilacoom, Wash. There they joined son Ray and family assisting with his new business venture as owner/operator of the Steilacoom marina, bar, and retail store. Not long after Ray discovered Friday Harbor, he relocated his young family there in ’73. Gertrude and Harold – ever the hard workers - joined in on the family adventure once again, helping to create a unique family business that flourished for almost 30 years and employed many islanders. Ray and Caroll purchased the Royal Theatre in 1975, and Gertrude opened Gertrude’s Gift Shoppe, along side Milton Bave’s Kodak and picture framing shop. The Shoppe featured consignment works of local artists as well as macramé craftwork (by Caroll) and supplies as well as Gertrude’s driftwood art, sea stone paintings, and crochet works. Gertrude and Harold lived in a tiny cabin next to the cabin Ray’s family occupied at the Bave’s MarVista resort on the south end of the island. Gertrude would harvest from the beaches, with her grandchildren Donna, Dean, Diane, and David’s help, the materials needed for her popular souvenir creations. She and Harold eventually moved from the drafty, tiny cabin into the upstairs apartment over the theatre where they shared space with the noisy turn-of-the century carbon arc projectors and theatre staff who had to traipse through to access the projector room for many years. It was a labor of love helping to manage both the theatre and the family restaurant/arcade “The Eatery” adjacent to the theatre, creating a much-appreciated recreational outlet for youths. Nightly Gertrude could always be seen popping the corn before the box-office opened. She and Harold were always willing to assist, whether growing the alfalfa sprouts for the Eatery menu, or picking up film or concession supplies in Seattle weekly, or hospitably keeping the theatre doors open for the many community groups that used the theatre, or filling in shifts at the businesses. The theatre was a community hub for piano and dance lessons as well as the local theatre troupe, or high school drama class rehearsals and productions- it seemed there was always a need for her help and we could always count on our beloved Grandma K. In 1982 the family moved to Anacortes to support Harold who was battling cancer. Gertrude remained in Anacortes for several years and then rejoined her family in Friday Harbor where she lived independently until she was 95 years old. The memories of her past remained sharp and detailed, and her family relished her retellings of noteworthy events observed from the theatre balcony in the good old days. She lived her final four years at Life Care Center of the San Juans very contentedly. Her beautiful crochet works were a part of her daily constitution – as well as her daily bible devotions until her eyesight finally failed. “Not an ache or a pain!” she would say throughout her long, joyful life. Never complaining, only sharing her beautiful smile and kindness to everyone. She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years Harold Kinnaman, son Ramon Kinnaman and grandson Jerry Kinnaman. She is survived by son Richard (Mary) Kinnaman of North Edwards, Calif., and daughter-in-law Caroll Kinnaman of Friday Harbor; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to Life Care Center of the San Juan Islands. on May 14, 2015.²

     His Social Security Number was 565-52-2771.² Ramon Dee "Ray" Kinnaman was born on February 28, 1938 at Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington.^2,4 He married Caroll Joan Springer on September 24, 1960 at Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington.⁴ Ramon Dee "Ray" Kinnaman died on May 26, 2001 at Whatcom Co., Washington, at age 63.^2,3

     Earl Raymond Kaylor was buried at Mountain View Cemetery, Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington.^4,5 He was born on July 21, 1915 at Sisters, Deschutes Co., Oregon.^1,5 He married Kathryn Mildred Kinnaman, daughter of Dee Webster Kinnaman and Goldie Zella Reeves, on January 1, 1936 at Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington.^1,5 Earl Raymond Kaylor died on May 20, 1960 at Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington, at age 44.^2,3,5 He Earl Raymond Kaylor, 44, a resident of Centralia for the past 30 years, died Friday evening in a local hospital. Mr. Kaylor was born July 21, 1915 in Sisters, Oregon. The family home is on route 1, Centralia. He was a past master of the Fords Prairie Grange and held offices in the Pomona Grange. The deceased is survived by his widow, Kathryn Kinnaman Kaylor, at home; one daughter, Marlene Kaylor; one son, Donald all of Centralia; mother, Mrs. Ethel Church, Centralia; and four sisters, Mrs. Iona Mosely Winlock, Mrs. Lona Pointer, Boise, Idaho, Mrs. Marjorie Derenburger, San Francisco, California, and Mrs. Beulah Castle, Chehalis. Services will be Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. at Newell-Hoerings with the Rev. Bruce Parker officiating. Interment will be at Mountain View. on May 23, 1960.⁵

     Theodore L. Kaylor was buried at Mountain View Cemetery, Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington.³ He was born on January 21, 1938 at Washington.^1,3 He died on August 14, 1944 at Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington, at age 6.^2,3

     Betty Sim was buried at Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE MT. Scott Boulevard, Portland, Multnomah Co., Oregon.² She was born on December 29, 1914 at Montana.^1,2,3 As of May 29, 1954,her married name was Kinnaman.¹ She married Robert Lee Kinnaman, son of Dee Webster Kinnaman and Goldie Zella Reeves, on May 29, 1954 at Longview, Cowlitz Co., Washington.¹ Betty Sim died on December 31, 2008 at Multnomah Co., Oregon, at age 94.^2,4,3

     Thomas George "Tom" Harper and Irma Louise Quick were divorced.¹ His Social Security Number was 539-01-3001.⁴ Thomas George "Tom" Harper was born on January 31, 1902 at Cinebar, Lewis Co., Washington.^1,4,3 He married Irma Louise Quick, daughter of Walter Ralph Quick and Louisa May Kinnaman, on June 28, 1938 at Chehalis, Lewis Co., Washington.¹ Thomas George "Tom" Harper died on February 10, 1986 at Thurston Co., Washington, at age 84.²

     William Cornelius "Neal" Scott was buried at Greenwood Memorial Park, Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington.⁴ His Social Security Number was 533-16-1961.⁵ He was born on December 8, 1901 at Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington.^2,5 He married Irma Louise Quick, daughter of Walter Ralph Quick and Louisa May Kinnaman, on December 11, 1951 at Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington.^1,2 William Cornelius "Neal" Scott died on May 14, 1982 at Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington, at age 80.³

     Richard Donald Wright was buried at Greenwood Memorial Park, Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington.¹ His Social Security Number was 535-20-9985.⁵ He was born on January 24, 1925 at Chehalis, Lewis Co., Washington.^1,3,5 He married Maxine Mable Quick, daughter of Walter Ralph Quick and Louisa May Kinnaman, on December 17, 1955 at Onalaska, Lewis Co., Washington.^2,3 Richard Donald Wright died on October 10, 1991 at Lewis Co., Washington, at age 66.^1,4,5

     His Social Security Number was 537-07-4071.⁶ Wilbert Jacob Harper was buried at Doss Cemetery, Mossyrock, Lewis Co., Washington.⁵ He married Helen May Quick, daughter of Walter Ralph Quick and Louisa May Kinnaman.¹ Wilbert Jacob Harper was born on December 22, 1904 at Alpha, Lewis Co., Washington; The SSDI has a birth year of 1905.^6,3,4,5 He died on February 4, 1997 at Lewis Co., Washington, at age 92.^2,6,5

     Ralph L. Harper was born on July 30, 1938 at Washington.^1,4 He married Ruth G. Edwards on December 30, 1981 at Lewis Co., Washington.³ Ralph L. Harper died on August 20, 2008 at Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington, at age 70.^4,2