Gertrude Kreps Kinnaman

Gertrude Evelyn Maude Kreps Kinnaman passed away peacefully May 1, 2015. She was 101 years young. Gertrude’s strong-willed, unfailing character was one of love and grace, coupled with an abundant sense of humor and pure devotion to her Lord. Family always came first for our matriarch.

She was born Nov. 16, 1913 to Jennie and George Washington Kreps in Centralia, Wash., the youngest of five children. She developed into a beautiful, tall, and talented young lady. She was always first choice for the basketball team – commencing her family’s passion for the sport.

Gertrude was raised in the same social circle as the very large Kinnaman family. It wasn’t until she was a teenager that Harold Kinnaman finally took notice of Gertrude and asked her to go to a football game. As the rain started to fall they put a newspaper over their heads, and from that moment on they were a couple. They married in 1934 during the Great Depression. Gertrude often remembered fondly how several years later, being ever the resourceful young couple, they once converted a chicken coop into their home.

Gertrude had the greenest of thumbs and impeccable vegetable and flower gardens. She was an equally accomplished cook and entertainer. They owned the only radio in the neighborhood so they would host where all came to listen to radio shows and ball games. The Kinnaman family was passionate about card games – especially Pinochle, and Gertrude and Harold would host gregarious card parties, passing their love for cards and fun family gatherings down to their grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Their son Richard, who gave them four grandsons Jerry, Phil, Terry, and James was born in 1934. Brother Ramon (Ray) followed in 1938. While Harold managed the Union 76 service station, Gertrude was a stay at home mom. Once the boys were in high school, Gertrude went to work for Profitt’s department store and had an office where she would create store signs with her artistic touch when she was not operating the old-fashioned cage elevator for the building, charming all with her easygoing manner.

Gertrude truly was a remarkable artisan, which she learned from her mother who was a master at quilting, needlepoint, crochet, and tattings. Gertrude indeed was a master in her own right, winning a National crochet contest in 1952 for her intricate doll fashions and accessories.

She and Harold “retired” moving to beautiful Steilacoom, Wash. There they joined son Ray and family assisting with his new business venture as owner/operator of the Steilacoom marina, bar, and retail store. Not long after Ray discovered Friday Harbor, he relocated his young family there in ’73. Gertrude and Harold – ever the hard workers – joined in on the family adventure once again, helping to create a unique family business that flourished for almost 30 years and employed many islanders.

Ray and Caroll purchased the Royal Theatre in 1975, and Gertrude opened Gertrude’s Gift Shoppe, along side Milton Bave’s Kodak and picture framing shop. The Shoppe featured consignment works of local artists as well as macramé craftwork (by Caroll) and supplies as well as Gertrude’s driftwood art, sea stone paintings, and crochet works.

Gertrude and Harold lived in a tiny cabin next to the cabin Ray’s family occupied at the Bave’s MarVista resort on the south end of the island. Gertrude would harvest from the beaches, with her grandchildren Donna, Dean, Diane, and David’s help, the materials needed for her popular souvenir creations.

She and Harold eventually moved from the drafty, tiny cabin into the upstairs apartment over the theatre where they shared space with the noisy turn-of-the century carbon arc projectors and theatre staff who had to traipse through to access the projector room for many years. It was a labor of love helping to manage both the theatre and the family restaurant/arcade “The Eatery” adjacent to the theatre, creating a much-appreciated recreational outlet for youths.

Nightly Gertrude could always be seen popping the corn before the box-office opened. She and Harold were always willing to assist, whether growing the alfalfa sprouts for the Eatery menu, or picking up film or concession supplies in Seattle weekly, or hospitably keeping the theatre doors open for the many community groups that used the theatre, or filling in shifts at the businesses. The theatre was a community hub for piano and dance lessons as well as the local theatre troupe, or high school drama class rehearsals and productions- it seemed there was always a need for her help and we could always count on our beloved Grandma K. In 1982 the family moved to Anacortes to support Harold who was battling cancer.

Gertrude remained in Anacortes for several years and then rejoined her family in Friday Harbor where she lived independently until she was 95 years old. The memories of her past remained sharp and detailed, and her family relished her retellings of noteworthy events observed from the theatre balcony in the good old days.

She lived her final four years at Life Care Center of the San Juans very contentedly. Her beautiful crochet works were a part of her daily constitution – as well as her daily bible devotions until her eyesight finally failed. “Not an ache or a pain!” she would say throughout her long, joyful life. Never complaining, only sharing her beautiful smile and kindness to everyone.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years Harold Kinnaman, son Ramon Kinnaman and grandson Jerry Kinnaman.

She is survived by son Richard (Mary) Kinnaman of North Edwards, Calif., and daughter-in-law Caroll Kinnaman of Friday Harbor; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 13 great-great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Life Care Center of the San Juan Islands.

– Family of Gertrude Kinnaman

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