Kathleen Lucille (Ford) Scholz (1909 - 2011)

Biography

Obituary

Kathleen Lucille Scholz (nee Ford) (1909-2011) was one of the last pioneers. She grew up in del Rio, Washington, which, throughout her life, was her favorite place to take a drive. When American Indians passed through their property, Grandma hid the kids in the barn. The kids, of course, sneaked out of the back of the barn to visit their friends, the Indians, who always had treats and surprises for Kathleen and her two brothers, Kenneth and Jack. I asked her once, “Why did Grandpa homestead in that God-forsaken land?” She replied with no regret, “It was the last land available to homestead.” Kathleen worked hard from the time she was eight-years-old. She cooked for the farm hands and herded turkeys for an American Indian neighbor lady. She knew education was her key to get off the farm and have a more prosperous life. So, when her dad didn’t want her to go to school, she hopped on her horse and went to live with a relative so that she could attend high school. She then went to Cheney Teacher’s College, worked in a bakery to put herself through school, graduated and became a school teacher. Her first teaching job was on the Lower Union Flat. She taught grades 1-8 in a one-room schoolhouse. On a blind date, she met and later married Walter Frederick Scholz. She moved to the Scholz family farm located in Dusty, lived there with Walter until he passed away in 1984 and then the remainder of her life. She was cared for by her Grandson, Kevin, so that she could stay on the farm. Following a broken hip in June, she spent time in the hospital and rehabilitation center but returned home to live out her final days with her family and friends. Kathleen was among the first women to found the Dusty BB (Busy Bees) Club. She was known across the country for her coveted skills as a seamstress and cook. She judged at the county fair and elsewhere. Kathleen was always up-to-date with the latest fashion and fabrics from France. She was distinguished by being ahead of her time. Kathleen had a cheery wit, was always contemporary and admired for her incredible memory as well as being up on the news. She prided herself in becoming a member of the Lutheran church in Endicott. When you think about it, Kathleen and Walt lived through and witnessed one of the most dynamic centuries of modern times. Farming moved from using a team of 35 men, horses and pulled harvesters to tractors cooled with air conditioned cabs being guided by satellite, the inflatable tire, invention of the internal combustible gas engine, the radio, television, electricity (her uncle had a private meeting with Roosevelt and was instrumental in getting the Grand Coulee Dam built), kitchen appliances, sewing machines (Kathleen was known for sitting behind her sewing machine and forever sewing), airplanes, space exploration, penicillin, vaccines, the Atom bomb and nuclear power, wrist watch, ball point pen, computers, Internet. Just about any invention you can think of for tools that you use nowadays came into being during Kathleen’s remarkable life. And, what a precious life she lived with ever so many friends, generosity of spirit and strength – both physical and mental. She is left by two daughters, Claudia and Kathy; five grandchildren, Steven, Wendy, Brian (Claudia’s children) and Kevin and Lucy (Kathy’s children) as well as six great grand-children. She will be missed. It was Kathleen’s wish to have neither a funeral nor memorial service. Instead, she wanted close friends and family to enjoy each other in remembrance of her at a party, which will be held on her birthday, November 17th. If you wish to make a donation, please give to: The Leukemia and Lymphoma society. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ http://www.bruningfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1225069&fh_id=13165