Catherine “Kay” Buennagel lived a beautiful, generous, and loving life for 97 years. She will be remembered as selfless, kind, and devoted by her nine children, 17 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren.

Kay was born on September 9, 1922 in Indianapolis, IN to Earl and Martha (Dodson) Mitchell. She graduated from Shortridge High School in 1940 and in 1944 she graduated from the St. Vincent School of Nursing in Indianapolis. She especially loved working in the OR.

On November 14, 1944 she married Charlie Buennagel at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Indianapolis. She and her husband Charlie moved from Indiana to Everett, Washington where he owned the local pharmacy, and she ruled the roost! She stayed home full time to raise her family. Her children could always count on her for being their biggest cheerleader and supporter. She played a mean game of Cribbage with friends and relatives and their home was a place of welcoming comfort to anyone who entered. Once retired, Charlie and Kay traveled the country with their trailer and then settled in Cathlamet, Washington for 30 years. She was a compassionate and faith-filled Catholic and was active in her local parishes. She could come up with an adorable quip in a flash and called everyone “sweetie.”

Charlie, her husband of 75 years, predeceased her in October, 2019. She was also preceded in death by her parents, three brothers and her sons-in-law, George Zuvela and Carl Wingate and her daughter-in-law, Junester Buennagel. Charlie and Kay lived out their final years in Kent.

Kay is survived by her family including her nine children Mary, Carol, Chuck (Barb), John (Sharon), Mark (April), Karl, Jan (Judy), Louis (Debby) and Tom (Maureen). Kay’s family was her most cherished gift, and she leaves an incredible legacy.

A Funeral Mass was held in Kent on Tuesday September 1, 2020 at 11:00 AM. Interment was at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent.

-- Paid Obituary --