Obituary: Gonder, Agnes M.
Age 89
She was born the fourth of eight children to Camille D’Hondt and Elizabeth Kloppenburg D’Hondt on March 22, 1924 in Duncan Washington.
After grad-uating from Fairfield High School she went on the Holy Names College and graduated in June 1946 with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree.
While attending the Cotton Ball in the spring of 1946 with her brother as her escort she was introduced to Francis E. Gonder who along with her brother was just returning from service in WWII.
Dad was smitten and they were engaged in the fall of 1946 and married on Tuesday, June 17, 1947.
Her first teaching job was for the School district #122 in Chelan County, Cashmere, WA teaching second grade.
She spent the school year commuting between Spokane and Cashmere in preparation for her wedding.
After her wedding she retired from teaching for a few years to start a family; returning to teaching in late 1953, working at Sacred Heart Elementary School teaching fourth grade for several years; she left her teaching job at Sacred Heart in hopes to slow down by then she had seven children so she started substitute teaching for Spokane School District finally retired from teaching in 1977.
After retiring she and dad enjoyed traveling but always loved coming home.
Mom loved her books and spending time with her grandkids and great-grandkids - they would always bring a smile to her face.
She also enjoyed Gonzaga Basketball and was a pretty good sideline coach.
Preceding mom in death are her parents Elizabeth and Camille D’Hondt and three sisters Margaret Sampson, Betty (Elizabeth) Barber, Theresa Cornwall and three brothers Henry, Camille and Lawrence D’Hondt.
She is survived by one brother Charles D’Hondt of Tacoma.
She leaves behind eight grown children, Ann Gonder-Mann Des Moines, WA, Janet and Tracy Primmer Mica, WA, Barb and Doug Smith Spokane, Edward and Kayo Gonder Spokane Valley, Kathi and Dick Triesch Spokane, Dan and Mariena Gonder Spokane Valley, Loretta Barschig Mead, WA and Patti Gonder-Hirst Spokane.
She also leaves sixteen grandchildren Jason Brown San Diego, CA, Robert Mann Shoreline WA, Chris Primmer Rockford WA, David Smith Bonners Ferry, ID, Alisa Smith Price Burleson, TX, Joe Gonder Spokane Valley, Kristina Triesch Everts Spokane Valley, Jeff Triesch Seattle, WA, Brooke Triesch McIntyre Edmonds, WA, Courtney Gonder Comeau Monroe, WA, Travis Gonder Liberty Lake, WA, Trevor Hemingway Spokane Valley, CJ Barschig Spokane, Caitlin Barschig Miller, Spokane, WA, Brandon Hirst and Maranda Hirst both of Spokane.
She also left behind 14 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, April 24, from 12:00 noon until 7:00 PM followed by a vigil service at 7:00 PM, both at the funeral home.
Funeral Mass will be Thursday, April 25 at 11:00 AM at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 3520 E. 18th in Spokane.
Agnes will be entombed at Holy Cross Cemetery Mausoleum.
To view Agnes’ online memorial, please visit www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements entrusted to