Obit of White, Kathryn F. - Alfalfa County, Oklahoma Thanks to Bakersfield Californian for permission to upload their obits to the USGenWeb Archives. Copyright, http://www.bakersfield.com/ 30 Dec 2007 Return to Alfalfa County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/alfalfa/alfalfa.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::Greenlawn Southwest Memorial Park--Bakersfield CA White, Kathryn F. On June 22nd, graveside services were held for Kathryn F. White at Greenlawn Southwest led by Pastor Jon Christianson of Redeemer Lutheran Church. The ashes of her husband for 53 years, Edwin E. White, who died in 1994, were interred with her. Kathryn was born in Cherokee, Oklahoma to George and Helen Deshler. She had two older brothers, Byron and Paul, who were school-age when Kathryn was born. Since her father was a Quaker minister who didn't believe in staying at any one church too long, the family moved quite a bit. In the 20's they moved to California. Kathryn told stories about the hardships of that trip on Old Route 66, mainly due to the old Ford constantly breaking down. The trip took three weeks. The family settled in East Whittier. The Nixon family worshiped at their church so the Nixon kids were Kathryn's friends, although Richard was a bit older. She attended at Yorba Linda High School and Fullerton JC. During her father's pastorship at Bell Friends Church, Kathryn met Edwin, her future husband. Her brother, Paul, introduced them after choir practice. They dated for only 2 months before they were married on December 6, 1941. She worked for Van DeCamp Bakeries during WWII. Edwin worked in a defense plant and later became a chiropractor. In 1947, their only child, Douglas, was born. In the 60's she resumed working for Van DeCamp's retiring in 1977. Kathryn lived in 11 California cities including Bell, South Gate, Lynwood, and Bellflower before moving to Bakersfield in 1988 to be near her son and his family. Kathryn's hobbies included cooking, sewing, reading mystery novels, knitting, crocheting, and spoiling her granddaughters. Her custard and cheese pie were legendary. She loved Billy Graham and Rev. Schuller and hated liquor. She loved her pet cats and dogs. She enjoyed canasta parties, the Bellflower Dahlia Club, and selling Avon. She volunteered for many years at Lakewood Community Hospital and Community House in Bakersfield. Being a devout Christian all her life, she was especially proud that her father, brother, Byron, and nephew, David, were all Quaker or Methodist ministers. This gentle lady was a friend and inspiration to all who knew her. Her warm smile and kind nature will be missed. She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers. She is survived by her son and his wife, Douglas and Elaine White; granddaughters, Jennifer and Tyler Thompson, Mary and Daniel Gunderson, Rebekah and Neal Barsanti; great-grandson, Hayden Thompson; niece, Patricia and Charles Johnson; nephews, David and Beverly Deshler, Jim and Lupe Deshler, and Tom and Lynne Deshler; and many great-nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice. The family wishes to sincerely thank the staff of Parkview Julian Convalescent Hospital for the loving care they gave to Kathryn for the past 5 ½ years. You're the greatest! Kathryn F. White Nov. 25, 1915 - June 16, 2007 Greenlawn Southwest Mortuary Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 6/27/2007. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Alfalfa County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/alfalfa/alfalfa.html