Mary Katherine Olson Kwak

Mary Katherine Olson Kwak, of Yakima, WA, made her transition to Divine Healing and cooking on October 4, 2009 at Good Samaritan Health Care Center in Yakima, WA. Mary was born July 18, 1927 at Wapato, WA to Ora Elizabeth McCorkle and Clinton Sivert Olson. Mary grew up in Wapato with a short time spent in Seattle during the early 40’s. Mary had many suitors but she chose John Wilbur Kwak as her forever love. They were married at Wapato on December 10, 1948 and enjoyed more than 60 years of togetherness.

After graduating from Wapato High School she worked for the War Department in Seattle. She then returned to Wapato and worked for Mr. Kramer in the Wapato Superintendents office; “The prettiest secretary ever in the Superintendents office.” After her marriage she continued working until she and Wilbur started their family. In 1954, the folks bought a unit in the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project and built a homestead just outside of Royal Camp, WA. They moved to the Basin in 1956, and made their home there, along with their three children: John, Debra and Case, having one of the first phones between Vantage and MarDon Resort. Pioneers to the end, the family enjoyed listening to the coyotes howl and the wind blow for entertainment.

Mary worked for Freddie Ing at Freddie’s Restaurant in Othello, WA; Peoples National Bank in Othello and for the United States Bureau of Reclamation at Royal Camp, WA. Later, Mary and her sister Barbara opened and operated a small grocery/grill at Royal Camp where they provided a lunch option and a few grocery items for the locals. She taught her kids a strong work ethic early, dragging them out to the sugar beet fields to hoe beets at O’dark hundred at the tender ages of 3, 4 and 7. Mary was a wonderful mom too. She never missed a sporting event or 4-H event her kids participated in and was tireless in helping them become successful.

She never knew a stranger. In fact, should any one break down or be stranded in a 30 mile radius of Mary, nothing would do but they would be brought home, fed and given a place to sleep until they could be rescued or repaired. She often made friends with odd-met fellows and more than once or twice she was chased out of public elevators by a husband wanting to know the name of her cologne so he could buy it for his wife; a phenomenon that stunned and amused her family.

Mary was a go-getter, dream it up, and make it happen gal. Mary was very active in her adopted community. She was a 4-H leader for many, many years and a committed volunteer to WSU Extension in Grant County; she and Wilbur were instrumental in getting a Community Hall built at Royal Camp; Served on the Methodist Church board as well as helping out at Vacation Bible School each year.

Mary was extremely creative and willing to share her talents. She loved to paint and wall paper; create silk flower arrangements and tend her flower gardens. She was asked by many folks in the area to help them with their painting and papering as she had quite a knack for interior design. Mary was a creative writer and thinker. The story is oft told of how she was touring the farm with the field man and discovered a leak in the irrigation ditch. Thinking quickly, she sat in the leak and sent the field man off on a frantic search for dad to come back and fix the leak and avert disaster!

Mom always loved animals and over the many years she rescued and cared for many a dog, cat, chicken, turkey, cow, pig or lamb. Her kitty Trouble survives her. Without a doubt, Mary’s favorite hobby and passion was cooking and she knew no peer, as many will attest. She was not afraid to try new recipes, foods and never met a recipe book she didn’t love (or own!). More than a few will miss her famous orange rolls. Mom never had a cross word for folks, nor would she rarely express her displeasure, a trait she failed to pass on! She had a ready smile for EVERYONE, even in her darkest hours. Another trait she failed to pass on.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Ora and Sivert Olson; her beloved sister Barbara Huss; her beloved brother Don Olson and his wife Alice Olson; her nieces Robin Huss and Robyn Wright. She is survived by her husband, John Wilbur Kwak of Yakima; her son John (Tamara) Kwak of Richland; her daughter Debra Kroon (Ray) Yates of Yakima; her son Case (KC) Kwak of East Wenatchee; her grandchildren Chris (Rebecca ) Kwak of Lewiston, ID; Nathan (Lorene) Kwak of Richland; Clayton (Tiffany) Kwak of Wenatchee; James Kwak of Richland; Leen Kroon of Yakima; Koos Kroon of Harrah; Travis (Hazel) Kwak of East Wenatchee and Carly Kwak of Kennewick, WA; and great grandsons Kent and Bren Kwak of Lewiston, ID.; her sisters Betty Chambers and Gerri (Bruce) Geffe of Yakima and by many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Mary will be held Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home. A reception following will be at the club house at 18 W. Washington at the Golden Villa. Bring your Mary stories, we know you have many!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Yakima County Master Gardeners in care of PO Box 10081, Yakima, WA 98908 or the charity of the donor’s choice, c/o Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home, 1010 W. Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902. Visit www.mem.com to share a memory or a story of Mary. Condolences may be offered at www.langevin-mussetter.com.

Langevin-Mussetter Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.