Burnette Emily Kerle, 96
Burnette Emily Kerle, 96, was born Feb. 6, 1916, in Adrian, N.D., to Wesley and Louisa Benjamin. She went to be with our Lord March 27, 2012.
Burnette and William (Bill) Elmer Kerle, of Battle Ground, Wash., were married July 1, 1939, and were lifetime partners in all of their endeavors. They were married for 62 years until his death Feb. 18, 2001, in Colfax.
Her joy was working with her husband, her family and her church family as a caregiver, their many friends, Minnehaha Grange, Dogwood Garden Club, hosted Immaculate Conception Gospel Choir of Seattle once a year for five years, and enjoyed the Gifford Homemakers Club and her little Yorkie, Barney. As a girl, she herded cattle by horseback as it was her job to do so. Burnette was an excellent basketball player in Adrian, N.D., and was an avid Trail Blazers fan.
The Kerles lived in Vancouver, Wash., for three years and then moved to Bonneville, Wash., for two years, where they owned and operated a grocery store. They lived in Mosier, Ore., owned and operated another grocery store for two years, then went to Vancouver until moving to Longview, Wash., for five years. They then moved back to Vancouver to build homes.
In retirement, they enjoyed Desert Hot Springs for the winter for 17 years with family, friends and old classmates. In the winter of 1995, they moved to St. John, Wash., and lived with daughter and her husband. In 2004, she moved and lived her last eight years with daughter and husband in Lenore.
Burnette is survived by their five children; one sister; 14 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and many, many great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, seven siblings and spouses, a son-in-law, and a daughter-in-law.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vancouver. Contributions may be made to the hospice of one's choice. They are truly God's gift to America.
Lewiston Tribune, March 31, 2012, p. 5D
Transcribed by Jill Leonard Nock