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Mary Kathryn Ham
10/18/1932 — 04/14/2006
From Richland, WA, US | Born in Yakima, Washington
Mary Kathryn Ham
Mary was the youngest of three children born to Kathryn and Earl Bainter in Yakima, WA, October 18th, 1932. She was their only daughter. She grew up in Zillah, WA, where her parents owned and operated a successful fruit orchard. She married her high school sweetheart, Dale Ham, in 1949.
As a child, Mary sang and tap danced at various local events with her older brother, Jack. They even made some records together. Mary was a devoted wife and loving mother. She was a stay-at-home mom until her children were grown. She then began working at Hanford, retiring as an executive secretary for Site Utility Services in 1994.
Mary and her family moved to Richland in 1960. Before settling in the Tri-Cities, Mary and Dale lived in Texas while Dale was in the army.
For many years, Mary enjoyed going to yard sales every weekend with her friends, searching for bargains for her family. Dale often joked that Mary was driving them to the poor house by saving money at yard sales. Primarily, Mary enjoyed spending time with her family. Holidays were always a special time at the Ham household, especially Christmas, which was her favorite time of year. She loved decorating her house for all holidays and always made it a magical time for her children and grandchildren.
Mary loved playing pinochle, board games especially ''Balderdash'' with the family, watching movies, working crypto-quote and crossword puzzles. Her greatest joy however, was browsing through mail order catalogs while having her morning coffee.
Mary's health had been declining in recent years and she died peacefully in her sleep at home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Wayne Ham and her son, Daniel Wayne Ham; also by her parents, Kathryn and Earl Bainter and her brothers, Jack and Bill Bainter.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Priscilla Ham, her son Joel Ham, her daughter-in-law, Barbara Ham, and her daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Steve Froehlich, all of Richland. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Angela Ham, Molly Ham, Daniel A. Ham, Katie Froehlich, Joel Froehlich, Alex Froehlich, Michael Ham, and Erik Ham.
At her request, there will be a private family service. In-lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Diabetes Association or the American Kidney Fund.
Michael,Erik, Priscilla and I miss you every day mom. You’ll never be forgotten – especially your cookies , sweets and Christmas ornaments. Love Ya Mom, Your son Jack.
We miss you already mom. I hope you got to utter your last words that we talked about while you were in the hospital. I’ll try to make you proud with my rabble rousing while playing against Jack and Steve in pinochle. Give Dad and Danny a hug from us. I love you always.
Julie
Grandma,
Thank you for all the memories and giving me a great childhood. I will always love the holidays because of you. Im gonna miss talking movies with you, playing games at family get togethers, etc. Im sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye. So, I love you grandma..say hi to my dad and both grandpas for me. Tell them I love them, and hopefully you made it to the big yard sale in the sky…
Angie
To the Ham Family: Jack, Jodie, Julie, and Barbara….
I think you all know how I feel. I’ve been a member of your family since before Dale and Mary moved down here from Zillah.
I got to have a nice visit with Mary at Danny’s gathering. I was not aware that her health was failing so fast.
I just want you to know that I’m thinking of all of you and love you all.
Ron
We miss you already mom. I hope you got to utter your last words that we talked about while you were in the hospital. I’ll try to make you proud with my rabble rousing while playing against Jack and Steve in pinochle. Give Dad and Danny a hug from us. I love you always.
Julie
Grandma,
Thank you for all the memories and giving me a great childhood. I will always love the holidays because of you. Im gonna miss talking movies with you, playing games at family get togethers, etc. Im sorry I didn’t get to say goodbye. So, I love you grandma..say hi to my dad and both grandpas for me. Tell them I love them, and hopefully you made it to the big yard sale in the sky…
Angie
To the Ham Family: Jack, Jodie, Julie, and Barbara….
I think you all know how I feel. I’ve been a member of your family since before Dale and Mary moved down here from Zillah.
I got to have a nice visit with Mary at Danny’s gathering. I was not aware that her health was failing so fast.
I just want you to know that I’m thinking of all of you and love you all.
Ron
Julie and family, So sorry to hear of the loss of your mom. I have some very fond memories from our times growing up. She was one in a million! Thoughts and prayers Jeanne Grant
I was saddened to hear of your mother’s death. She was a very special person. I have fond memories of my times spent with her. It was sad for me to realize that your mother’s death brought to an end that Branch of the Bainter Family.
I would love to reestablish contact with all of you.
Ed Bainter
I am sorry to hear of Aunt Mary’s passing. I just loved her laugh. My earliest memory of going to the Tri-Cities was playing Yahtze with all the adults as they smoke and drank. It was past my bedtime and I was caught up with the wrong crowd and loving it. I’m glad Mary and my Mom got to go on their “goldmining” roadtrip in their later years. My thoughts are with the family.
Mary, Thanks for making me feel like a part of the family. I always enjoyed our times together at family gatherings. Having coffee and playing cards with you was always one of my favorite pastimes. You always made the best coffee even tho you didn’t think so. God Bless you until we meet again.
Ham Family – Your Mom made the bus ride from 200E fun. We shared stories and would laugh until we cried. She was such a fun loving person.
Blessings to all. Faye
Dear Family of Mary,
I was sorry to hear of Mary’s death. Although I never had the distinct pleasure of meeting her nor her husband Dale, my mother, Betty L. Barrick Kellie and my father, William E. BudKellie were very good friends of both of them. In fact, Dale’s signature is on their marriage certificate. Both of my parents always talked about how much fun the four of them had together. I believe they knew each other both in Zillah and down in Texas during basic training. My mother passed away in 1985 and my father just passed away on Jan. 1, 2006. An aunt just mailed me Mary’s special obituary, and I wanted to send my condolences and let you know how much she and Dale meant to my parents. What a wonderful lady she was. Maybe the four of them are playing cards again right now. God bless each one of you.
Sincerely, Becky Sheffels Kellie
MARY AND I WORKED TOGETHER FOR THE POWERHOUSE AND JERRY MOLNA. IT WAS MY FIRST JOB AT THE 200 EAST AREA. SHE WAS OUTSTANDING SECRETARY AND ALWAYS MADE ME FEEL SPECIAL. SHE WAS FULL OF LIFE AND I LOVED HER SMILE. MARY WAS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT HER FAMILY. I KNOW YOU ARE MISSING YOUR MOM BUT SHE DID LEAVE YOU WITH WONDERFUL MEMEORIES THAT YOU WILL TREASURE. THE PAIN WILL LESSEN OVER TIME AND YOUR MEMORIES WILL BE OF JOY.
LOVE NANCY
Dear Ham Family,
There are far to many memories to put down, but I had some of the best years of my life with Mary and her family especially by having Danny. Thanks for the memories they will always be in my heart.
Love,
Barb
Dear Jack, Joel, Julie and Family:
I was worry to hear of Mary
Kathryn’s “Passing” I received an e-mail from Ed Bainter recently. Ed told me that Adele Bainter has notified him and he was kind enough to “pass it on” to me.
I just wanted to send my condolences and best wishes to all of you.
Sincerely:
Shirley Schaefer Mardock
2902 E 2nd St SP 42
Newberg, OR 97132
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Mary Kathryn Ham