Kathleen Ann Bennett Obituary (2024)

Kate/Kathy/Kathleen Ann Bennett was born November 15, 1947, In Ellensburg, WA to Thayer and Lois Ward. She went home to Jesus on May 3, 2024. She was the 2nd of 7 children. Before she was in Elementary school, her family moved to Vancouver, WA where she started first grade. Her family then spent time in both Felida and Sara, WA. As their family grew, her parents bought a house in Ridgefield, WA with several acres including a filbert orchard and pastureland. Kate worked with her dad from a young age driving the tractor and tending the farm. Kate's parents sent the kids to Vacation Bible School and Kate met Jesus there. She described the change like this; "I used to be a terrible kid; I would push my sister in leg braces over and other unkind things. After I met Jesus, I stopped doing that." After graduating from Ridgefield High School, Kate went to Central Washington University and paid her own way, finishing her bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 3 years. She met Larry Bennett there and they married on January 25, 1969. Kate is survived by Larry Bennett, her husband of 55 years, two children - Melissa Garner and John Bennett, two children in law - Rick Garner and Tara Bennett, and seven grandchildren - Vince, Katie, Harrison, Liam, Lizzie, Josiah and Ananda. Kate taught elementary school for several years in Colton Or, for 15 years at John Campbell in Selah, WA, at Yacolt Elementary, WA and finished her teaching career as a reading specialist at Maple Grove Primary in Battleground WA. She completed her master's degree in 1991, adding a reading specialist endorsement. Kate also labored beside Larry serving Jesus in ministry with InFaith, a missions organization. This included several years as a camp cook, serving meals kids loved. Rarely will people meet someone more hopeful, cheerful and willing to serve others than Kate. When you pointed this out to Kate, she was quick to point back to the incredible love of Jesus evident in all of her life. She loved people. She loved easy ones and had a special place in her heart for the hard ones. She asked her principals for the "hard" kids and did what ever they needed to change them into loved, successful students. She lived the words of Jesus, "Whatever you to the least of these, you do unto me." Kate is also known for the glint in her eye that meant she was up to something - a scheme to make other people laugh or make them think. Kate's other deep love was for stories. We invite you to join us at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday July 13, 2024 at John Campbell Elementary in Selah to share in the story of her life.