Erna Mary Kagele

Erna Mary Kagele

March 19, 1934 – Aug. 13, 2025

Erna Mary Kagele passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025, in Kennewick, Wash.

Born in Addy, Wash, on March 19, 1934 to Henry and Ida Pein, Erna was raised on a dairy farm along with her siblings Herman, Martha, Dorothy and Margaret, all of whom precede her in death. Erna graduated from Jenkins High School in 1952 and made her way to Spokane for beauty school.

Upon completion she accepted a job in Ritzville. A friend invited her to a party where she met Melvin Kagele. The couple were married on Sept. 12, 1954, and engaged in a lifetime of wheat farming. Later in years Mel and Erna enjoyed traveling around the US and as far as Australia. Their most treasured trips included their camper often with the grandchildren.

Our mother was certainly a product of her time. She will be remembered for her love of delicious cooking, baking, talented seamstress, knitting, crocheting, quilting and so much more. Our mother made clothes and knitted many coats and sweaters, not only for her children but grandchildren as well.

Erna was a very devoted and loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother supporting us all wholeheartedly with her time, talents and always a positive reinforcement. Our mother was an avid sports fan with WSU Cougars and college basketball as her favorite sports. She loved watching and learning from cooking shows as well. Erna was a member of the Menno Mennonite Church and was active in the Menno Women in Mission group.

The family would like to thank the loving care at Hawthorne Court and Ciel Assisted Living facilities.

Erna is preceded in death by her parents and her husband Melvin. She is survived by her son Don Kagele, daughters Connie Phillips, Beverly (Darrel) Kulm, and Jullie (Dennis) Simmelink along with her grandchildren Jill Warman (Tyler) Laura (Michael) Osborn, Kylie Phillips, Rory Phillips, Ian (Gretchen) Youngren, Shelby Youngren and Dusty Kulm. Great grandchildren Alison, Dominick, Colter, Harper and Baylor as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday Sept. 27, 2025, 2:00 p.m. at the Menno Mennonite Church 1378 N Damon Rd Ritzville WA. A private family interment will be held preceding the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Menno Mennonite Church, The KC Help, 324 W Margaret St Pasco 99301 or Tri-Cities Chaplaincy, 1480 Fowler St Richland WA 99352.