Katherine Sandness, 76, a resident of Sun City West, Arizona, passed away on Feb. 12, 2025, after a long and courageous battle with gastrointestinal stromal tumor cancer.
She was born on New Year's Eve 1948 to Henry and Anna Huebert, "Kathy" grew up on a small dairy farm in rural Port Orchard, Washington, where she was taught the value of hard work and discipline. She grew up with two older brothers, Robert and Henry (both deceased), and who surely contributed to her very determined, competitive and gritty personality, her family wrote.
Kathy graduated from South Kitsap High School in 1967 and then attended Olympic College in Bremerton, Washington, where in 1969 she earned her associate of arts degree in business. Shortly thereafter, she and a partner opened Homestead Deli in Silverdale, Washington, eventually selling her interest and then taking a job at the Keyport Naval Base as an Occupational Safety and Health Administration safety and health specialist.
In 1986, Kathy was introduced, through a mutual friend at Keyport, to Arnold Sandness (deceased) who became the love of her life. In 1989 Kathy left her position with OSHA to travel and enjoy retirement with Arnie. They married in 1990 and enjoyed 34 years of marriage before he passed away in 2024.
From 1989 to 1993 they spent their summer months in Alaska and winter months in the Lower 48. In the summer of 1993, they cruised from Port Orchard up the Inside Passage to Southeast Alaska on the We'll Sea. They built and lived in their home in Wrangell for 25 years. However, they did escape the winter cold to southern states and Mexico in their RV.
After selling their boat and home in Alaska, they took advantage of a senior citizens program in Duluth, Minnesota, and Logan, Utah, where universities would rent student dorm rooms and apartments to senior citizens during the summer months when the students were on break. They spent the past six summers in Star Valley, Wyoming, in their summer RV home.
Kathy was very active and enjoyed golf, fishing, boating, hiking, biking, quilting, gardening and various social card games. She was a member of the Wrangell Hospital Auxiliary, Wrangell Emblem Club, the Stikine Stitchers, Friends of the Wrangell Museum and Muskeg Meadows Golf Course. She attended the Bible Baptist Church and Assembly of God in Wrangell.
Katherine is survived by six nieces and nephews; three stepchildren; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service for Katherine will be held at Sun City, Arizona, at West Christian Church at 11 a.m. March 19.
Remembrances can be sent to Sun City West Christian Church, 20803 N 151st Ave., Sun City West, Arizona 85375.
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