The Wahkiakum County Eagle-December 25, 2008

Obituaries

Mildred Kerstetter

Mildred Kerstetter of Cathlamet, Washington, passed away on December 
20, 2008 at the age of 90.

Mildred Adel Swanson was born into a large family on August 4, 1918 in 
Centralia, Washington.  She was raised and attended schools there, 
graduating in 1936.  She married her high school sweetheart, G. R. 
Kerstetter, on June 12, 1940, and lived in Pullman, Oak Harbor and 
Toledo before moving to Cathlamet in 1947.

Mildred drove school bus for Wahkiakum School District for 28 years and 
worked many years at Ralph Rodahl’s Rosedale Store.  Besides 
maintaining a farm, she and Bob ran a home meat cutting business.  She 
was a 50 year member of the Elochoman Grange #246, serving in many 
positions and active in grange activities ranging from fair booths to 
State Grange Conventions.  Mildred was also a long time member of the 
Cathlamet Congregational Church.

Her interest including gardening, sewing, painting, baking, playing 
pinochle and her little dog, Mickey.  She was especially well known for 
the many pies she made for different activities.  She was involved in 
many school events through her support of the FFA program and was an 
avid Mule fan, attending many games as possible for as long as she was 
able.

Mildred was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, G.R. “Bob” 
Kerstetter, all eight brothers and sisters and one great grandchild.

Surviving are her children, Linda and Jim Miller, Janet Cimino, and 
Robert and Janelle Kerstetter of Cathlamet; Susie and Chuck Patching of 
Woodland; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren, numerous 
nieces and nephews and dear friend Coral Linquist.

A visitation will be on Fri., Jan. 2, at Dowling Chapel, 12 noon-5 p.m.  
A funeral Service will be held on Saturday January 3, 15 The United 
Church of Christ (Congregational) Cathlamet, at 1 p.m. Interment to 
follow at Greenwood Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Wahkiakum Family Practice Clinic 335 
Una St. Cathlamet, WA  98612 or Cathlamet First Aid Division PO Box 142 
Cathlamet, WA  98612.

Dowling funeral home is in charge of arrangements.

(As compiled by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society in 2009.)