Tributes

Kathi passed away peacefully on the morning of January 23, 2023 in Moses Lake WA. Kathi was born on April 29, 1964 in Everett WA and attended school there. Kathi was diagnosed with asthma as an infant but she didn’t let that keep her from running and playing with her sisters. She knew what her limitations were but mostly ignored them. Kathi began working in her teens and in Everett she worked bussing tables, waitressing and as a janitor at the Everett Mall. It was at the Everett Mall that she met and married Bill and they had twin sons, Philip and Mitchell. Bill and Kathi divorced when the boys were toddlers and shortly after that she was diagnosed with MS. That was when she decided to move with her boys to Moses Lake to be closer to family. Kathi made friends easily and worked at several businesses in town where many customers became friends. Kathi worked very hard to raise her boys and didn’t let MS slow her down. Her last job was working at Ram’s Ripple tavern where she made many friends. Finally MS stopped her hands and arms from working well and she made the difficult decision to stop working. But that wasn’t the end of her adventures! Kathi had met Jeff VanNess as a neighbor when the boys were in grade school. Their children became friends and Kathi became friends with Jeff and Charlotte. In later years after Kathi and the boys moved and Jeff had divorced, they met by chance and reconnected. That began the rest of Kathi’s life with Jeff and both of their families as one. As their children became adults and grandchildren were born, Kathi was so happy. Her grandchildren were the light in her life. Kathi’s favorite holiday was Christmas and for the following years Kathi and her caregiver Angel spent countless hours in the aisles at Walmart and other local stores, shopping year-round for Christmas gifts for her grandchildren. If there was a bargain to be had Kathi found it! Kathi was well known traveling the aisles of local stores in her electric wheelchair. Everywhere Kathi went she made a point of getting to know the cashiers, the people stocking the shelves, the pharmacist, the nurses and lab techs. And she didn’t just know their names, she knew about their families and remembered them all. Kathi embraced the community and they embraced her back. About three years ago Kathi required 24-7 care and moved to an Adult Family home where she received excellent care. Jeff would take her home on the weekends and they would spend time together as they always did. Kathi leaves her life partner Jeff VanNess, her dad Dick Van Duren, mom Shirley Burch, sisters Aimee Sterling, Sheri Wilson (Steve), Debbie Van Duren (Fahad). Her sons, Philip Bonner (grandson O’Ryan), Mitchell Bonner, daughters Patricia VanNess (grandchildren Jeffrey, Ethan and Jazzlene) Teri VanNess (RJ) (grandchildren Ralli, Seth, Griffin, Lilli & Dolphie) and Caitlin Andrews. Special thanks to Kathi’s caregivers, especially her Angel who was with her for so many years through good times and bad. Thank you to Lateef at Southgate Pharmacy who was so kind to Kathi. Please pay it forward for Kathi, an act of kindness to those who were so kind to her, the cashiers, the people stocking the shelves or working at the clinic. Kathi taught us that despite our differences or limitations we can be kind and patient with one another. A celebration of Kathi’s life will be held later this spring or summer.

Tributes

Kathleen Jo (Van Duren) Bonner

April 29, 1964 - January 23, 2023