Shirley A. Kvamme

A spirited and loving heart departed this earth as Shirley Kvamme passed away on August 23rd. Shirley was known for her forthright and often outspoken nature and, of course, the twinkle in her eye. She was devoted to her family, her church, and this community.

Shirley was born on January 13, 1923, in Centralia, Washington. She started college at Washington State College but the war made it necessary for her to work. She married Captain Wayne Kendall who was killed in 1951 in the Korean War. In 1958 Shirley married Leiv Kvamme in Yokosuka, Japan. In 1959 Leiv and Shirley settled in Moses Lake.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Alvin Victor and Anna Margaret Larson, a brother Vernon Larson, who died in WWII, her husband Wayne Kendall, and her husband Leiv Kvamme. Shirley is survived by her children Marcie Kendall Reilly, LeAnne Kvamme Parton, and David Torstien Kvamme, son-in-law Norman Parton, grandchildren, Jessica Reilly, Leiv Parton, Anna Parton, Jonathan Parton, Brittany Bolster, and Aleah True, and great-grandchild Julian Price.

Shirley developed a love for building early in life when a major bridge was constructed near her home. She spent most of her life buying, renovating, and remodeling commercial real estate. It was not unusual to see her on top of a roof where the roofers were putting hot tar down. Her passions extended to the constant building and maintenance projects at the Presbyterian Church, including an asphalt project, installing sound systems, and many other building projects that needed to be done.

Shirley gave of her time and energy throughout the community and area. She was the first woman on the Moses Lake Planning Commission, serving from 1975 to 1988. She also served as a Session Elder at the Presbyterian Church, was on the Board for Youth Outreach Group Homes, and was a Board Member of the Big Bend Community College Foundation. In her younger years, Shirley and Leiv were foster parents as well. In 1999, in memory of her husband, Leiv Kvamme, M.D., Shirley provided funds to complete the Kvamme Soccer Fields in Cascade Valley.

Shirley loved the outdoors and yearly family vacations at the Nine Quarter Circle Dude ranch in Big Sky, Montana. She constantly rescued injured animals at her home by the lake and took in quite a few strays from the Humane Society.

Special thanks to Jill Bross, MD, Shirley's faithful caregivers Kelly Ayers, Barbara Martinsen, and Claudia Cook, grandson Leiv Parton who cared for his grandmother for eighteen months at night and her granddaughter Anna who filled in for Leiv.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 26, 2005, at the Moses Lake First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Eric Frey officiating. Graveside services will precede the memorial service at Pioneer Memorial Gardens at 10:00 a.m. with Pastor Mark Bassett officiating. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory.

Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday evening from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Donations may be made to the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church Building Fund, Moses Lake Christian Academy, or Big Bend Community College Foundation.