Obituary: Kappen, Catherine H.
She was born June 18, 1922 in Bowman, North Dakota to John and Eliza (Walker) McCaffrey, the middle of three daughters.
She attended all twelve years in the Bowman school system graduating in 1940.
She worked at the Farmer’s Co-Op and later at JC Penney’s as a cashier/ bookkeeper.
Cathy married Clarence A. Kappen Sept. 27, 1946 at St. Charles Catholic Church in Bowman, North Dakota.
In 1952 they moved to the Spokane Valley where they settled down to raise their five children.
She worked at Kirby Haven for twenty five years, retiring at the age of 65.
Cathy was a member of St. John Vianney Catholic Church, AARP and Royal Neighbors of America.
Her great loves were dancing, playing cards, going “gambling” and her large family and friends.
In her later years she enjoyed Fridays, where she attended “Day out with the Blind”.
She was preceded in death by her husband Clarence and infant son David, both parents, her sisters Marge Bingham and Jo Langlee and brother-in-law Mick Bingham.
Cathy is survived by her five children: Jim (Susan) Kappen, Kathy (John) Simmet, John (Roxanne) Kappen, Cindy Koch and Candice Kappen.
Twelve grandchildren: Mark (Angie) Simmet, Rick (Jenny) Simmet, Julie (Simmet) Aikman, Ben (Glenda) Kappen, Ross (Patty) Kappen, Justin (Jill) Kappen, Nathan Kappen, Jayson (Megan) Kappen, Katie Koch, Eric Koch, Trevor Long, and Ryan (Lindsay) Long.
Twenty two great-grandchildren: Ashley, Chelsea (Phil Bowman, Tyler, Marley, Jayce and Jenna Simmet; Taya and Kinsley Aikman; Garrick, Isaac, Cassie, Caylee, Carus and Drake Kappen; Jericah, Ryan (Tiny), Taylor Clarence Long, Elijah Roberts; Sophia Jo, Elijah (Turtle) Koch; Gracie and Brody Foeller.
Very dear friends Mike Powell and Karen Beade, Heidi Simmet, Carol Foeller, Tim Long, Mike Draz, one brother-in-law Gene Langlee and several nieces and nephews of Bowman, North Dakota.
She was a very simple woman, not interested in material things, instead Cathy invested herself in family and her many friends.
She always had a ready smile and expressed a genuine interest in each person she met.
Cathy leaves a large hole in our lives, but will always fill an even larger place in our hearts.
A funeral mass will be celebrated 11:00 AM Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2013 at S. John Vianney Catholic Church in the Spokane Valley.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to the Lilac City Blind Foundation.