Marjorie "Marje" Hohnstein Kennerud
Marje Hohnstein Kennerud loved her family, traveling and a variety of hobbies. She leaves behind a large family that will miss her greatly.
Marjorie Hohnstein Kennerud, 99, passed away peacefully Jan. 19, 2024, in Wenatchee, just short of her 100th birthday.
Marje, the oldest of seven children, was born in Seattle on Feb. 13, 1924, to Clarence and Ida Parker. Her early years were spent on a farm near Amboy, Washington during the Depression. Marje and her sister Elinor traveled with their father during summer vacations selling car parts. His sales route covered multiple states including Oregon and Washington. This was the beginning of Marje’s lifelong love of travel.
At the age of 17, Marje graduated Battle Ground High School. She met and fell in love with Henry, marrying him April 27, 1943. Marje lived in San Diego during World War II while her husband served as a quartermaster in the Navy. They welcomed their first child at the San Diego Naval Hospital.
Following the war, Marje and her husband moved to Portland, Ore. In addition to being a bookkeeper for her husband’s business, Marje was active in Sacajawea Grade School and was instrumental in developing a school lunch program. She was also a Brownie leader during this period.
In 1956, Marje and her husband moved to Soap Lake where they built and ran the Royal View Motel. She was active in the community, including the Chamber of Commerce, the senior center, Camp Fire Girls and 4-H.
As busy as she was, Marje was always there to help others who needed her. Marje loved her family and friends.
After 30 years of running the Royal View Motel in Soap Lake, Marje retired and became a snowbird, spending winters in Yuma, Ariz. She enjoyed dancing, bingo, stamp collecting and creating beautiful ceramics.
Marje is survived by a younger sister, Natalie; four children, Diana, Henry, Linda and Debby; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren, and two great-great-great-grandchildren.