Kathryn Fletcher passed away on Wednesday, May 12, 2010 at the North Valley Nursing Home in Tonasket at the age of 89.

Kathryn was born Feb. 28, 1921 to HE (Elmer) and Sarah Morris Fletcher in Molson, their seventh child. She was raised two miles south of Molson on what became known as Fletcher Mountain. Elmer took out a homestead in 1902, having come with other family members from Goodland, Kan. by wagon train. Sarah’s family came from Virginia by rail to Kettle Falls and from there to the Chesaw area in hacks and buggies in 1902 and settled in Kipling.

Elmer moved his family into the Donicht house a few years later, which is still a landmark on Fletcher Mountain. Kathryn went to school in Molson. Her folks obtained a “batch shack” in town for the children to stay in to go to school instead of having to walk the two miles. The older kids mostly did the cooking, tending fires and lamps and caring for the younger children in the winter. Kathryn never married, but could remember all 26 of her numerous nieces and nephews birthdays and loved each and every one of them, calling them her “kids.” She embroidered pillow cases for all of them with their name on it, even for great nieces and nephews. For years she baked cookies and goodies and freely shared with friends and relatives. She also baby sat for several different families in the Oroville area, and worked in the apple shed for a time.

Kathryn moved to Oroville in 1945 with her folks and lived a short distance north of the Cherry Street Bridge until Elmer moved the family to the corner of Birch and Main in 1962, where he died shortly after, and her mother died in 1971. Kathryn lived there until she moved to the Assisted Living and then the nursing home in Tonasket. Kathryn and her mother were both members of the Royal Neighbors of Oroville. Kathryn also enjoyed going to the Oroville Senior Center and the Free Methodist Church.

Kathryn is survived by 20 nieces and nephews.

Kathryn was preceded in death by brothers: William Bill Morris (Winnie) Fletcher and Wendell (Jean) Fletcher; and sisters: Jessie (Olie) Rise, Alta (Rader) Rise, Doris (Ed) Rise, Hazel (Bill) Rise and Ethel (Jess) Cumpton.

Graveside services were held on Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Molson Cemetery with the Reverend Marilyn Wilder, officiating. Memorials may be made to the Molson Museum.

Bergh Funeral Service of Oroville/Tonasket in care of arrangements.