Katherine Elizabeth Brumbaugh's Obituary
Katherine Elizabeth Brumbaugh
Katherine was born on July 4, 1936, at St. Catherine’s Hospital, in McCook, Nebraska, to Sheldon and Gertrude Brumbaugh. She joined big sister Ann, and the two became best of friends right from the start. The family moved to Oregon when Katherine was just 2 years old. She did all of her schooling in Oregon … she was involved in campfire girls, ski team and volleyball, worked at the Oregon City Swimming Pool and graduated from Oregon City High School in 1954. Katherine became part of the Delta Gamma girls, and received her Bachelors of Science degree in Elementary Education from Oregon State (College) University in 1958. We learned of Katherine that she had a phrase she used often … WWJ meaning “Wild With Joy”. Katherine taught school for 25 years including Denver, Colorado, as well as the David Douglas School district. Katherine traveled to all 50 states as well as Canada, Mexico, Spain, Japan, France, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Germany, in addition to several cruises. Most of the memorable family vacations were spent in Nebraska or Alabama with all the Harris family cousins: John T, Bert, Bob, Bill, Jim and Paul, as well as Aunt Eleanor and Uncle John. One of the mottos Ann and Katherine lived by was quoted by Aunt Eleanor … “Day by day, in every way, better and better.” Katherine was not a complainer, even though she was in physical discomfort for the latter part of her life. She is known to be pleasant, kind, generous and incredibly thoughtful, never missing a family or friend’s birthday. She loved writing notes and cards and kept in touch with family, as well as her high school and college friends. Katherine’s favorite movies included Mary Poppins and Sound of Music, but most often her TV watching was limited to the News, The Trailblazers and Oregon State Beavers Basketball teams!
Ann and Katherine lived together in Oregon City for 40 years, until health concerns separated them in October 2023. They were reunited in August 2024 and enjoyed many hours visiting together, as sisters and best friends do. Katherine is an inspiration to all of us and will be missed.
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