Kathryne E. Ringo

Kathryne E. (Kay) Ringo , a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, passed away January 25, 2013 in Moscow, ID at the age of 95. She was born November 29, 1917, the first of three children of Marguerite and William Schoedel and raised on a wheat farm south of Spokane near Valleyford. She was preceded in death by her husband, Howard A. Ringo, her parents, and brothers William Schoedel and John (Jack) Schoedel. Upon graduating from high school at age 16, Kay attended Washington State University (then WSC) where she was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority and the honorary organizations of Spurs & Mortarboard. In 1939 she graduated from WSC in secretarial studies and married Howard A. Ringo. They were married over fifty years, raising two daughters and two sons in the communities of Country Homes and Little Spokane River at Buckeye. Kay was actively involved in the community of the Little Spokane River Valley as a charter member of the Learn-A-Bit Club, member of the Little Spokane Garden Club, Stitchery Club, and Spokane Authors and Self Publishers. Her curiosity and interest in the history of the community led to researching and writing a book: “The Milltown Buckeye, Washington”. At age 94, she self-published a book about her Aunt Annie Tucker who homesteaded near Cheney, WA titled “A Log Cabin, Woolgrass, and Prairie Chickens”. Kay is survived by daughters, Kayanne Wendel (Robert) of Bainbridge Island, WA and Bette Streeter (Monte) of Big Timber, MT; sons, John Ringo (Shirley) of Moscow, ID, and Jerry Ringo (Renate) of Spokane and Muenchingen, Germany; 11 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, 4 nephews, and her “adopted family”, Jim & Rhonda Fischer. A celebration of her life will be held at St. Luke Lutheran Church at 11:00 AM on March 23, 2013. The family will receive friends during a reception at the church following the service. Memorial gifts may be made to Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery, The Friends of the Little Spokane River Valley, or the charity of your choice.