Agnes Wentz - Sinsel Klampher

Agnes C. Wentz (Sinsel) Klampher, 90, of Yakima passed away on Monday, July 22, 2019 at home, surrounded by her family.

Mom was born on December 4, 1928, in Bowdle, SD, to Anthony and Genevieve Wentz, and moved to Yakima at an early age. She graduated from Yakima High School (now Davis High School) in 1947.

Mom met our dad, Don Sinsel, at age 14 at Franklin Junior High School, on the birthday they shared. After high school, Mom worked for the Yakima Telephone Co. until 1950, when she married Don and moved to San Diego, where he was stationed with the U.S. Navy.

In 1953, Agnes and Don welcomed their first daughter, Debbie, and returned to Yakima where Agnes devoted her life to her family. Four more children were welcomed into their lives; Robert, Donean, Carol and Jill. In 1975, Mom attended Yakima Business College and re-entered the workforce.

As an independent parent, Mom knew she needed a career where she could be present for her children as much as possible. Mom started a career in the Yakima School District at age 46 as a secretary. She worked at Franklin Junior High and Castlevale, Ridgeview and Martin Luther King Jr. elementary schools before retiring at age 62.

During her working years, Mom had two teenagers and a 6-year-old at home, which we know can be challenging -- and all three were girls -- more challenging! She was always there for her kids, at every track meet, soccer game, school event, birthday, holiday, etc. Always present! Mom instilled in the family a sense of protection, respect, love and always family first. As a family, we supported each other and our mother; there was no other way for us. We moved forward through the years as a family and always provided love and support to OUR mom. We wanted to ensure Mom was healthy, happy, safe and loved. She was our treasure.

In 1980, Mom married an old "school-aged" boyfriend, Earl "Mike" Klampher, who she ran into while spending time with her very best friend, Freda. Mom and Mike were married for 10 years. He was a very kind and special person to our family.

The memories and traditions Mom created and instilled in her children were magical. Mom was a person who led by example, not by words. We are all who we are today because of the example she set for us -- Family is first and love is unconditional; forgiveness is present and solidarity is endless.

During her retirement years, Mom put all of her artistic talent to work to create beautiful flower arrangements, to the joy of many Christmas bazaar shoppers. She loved gardening, creating arrangements, quilting, painting, drawing and going on outings with her children. Mom vacationed with us -- many trips to Las Vegas, Mother's Day at Cannon Beach every year, a girls trip to Leavenworth each fall, and two trips to Disneyland in her late 80s. Mom loved Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh; Disneyland was her "happy place."

Mom was fun! She was our mom, but more than that she was our best friend. We enjoyed her company and always wanted her around.

"Mom, you were always there for us. We knew that you loved us and that we were very important in your life. We will miss you, Mom so much!"

As she got older, we knew we always wanted Mom to be with her family and we would always care for her. During the past few years, we ensured she was in our home with support around the clock. Her very good friend Betty Moore was there for Mom when she needed support, but most of all they enjoyed doing things together. The two of them were great girlfriends and enjoyed catching up with all the "news" on "The View" each day, then browsing through beautiful magazines, endlessly painting birdhouses and coloring in amazing color books. Mom cherished their friendship.

Another treasure in mom's life was her sweet little dog, Penny. Mom adopted this wonderful, white, curly-furred rescue pup and they were inseparable. Penny was Mom's guardian angel and followed her everywhere. Mom was never out of Penny's sight. Penny passed shortly after Mom started hospice care. We know those two are catching up right now and Penny is showing her the ropes in heaven.

Mom's last year at home was spent under the care of Memorial Hospice and Home Care. Amazing support! We cannot say enough about this program and service. They made caring for Mom at home a reality and provided all the support we needed. Mom loved those she met during this past year. We can't thank the staff enough for all they did for her and our entire family. Sarah and Maggie, you are both our angels. You taught us so much and are incredible people. We very much appreciated Nurse Katie, Dr. Waber, Dr. Hinton and Chaplain Dan for all they did for our mom and our family.

During Mom's final days, she was home with her family as she started her journey to heaven. It was a blessing to us all to have been part of this journey, and although it was heartbreaking to know we would not have Mom to talk to anytime we wanted or to spend time shopping with or just having a beer, we knew Mom was ready to see her mom, who she missed greatly, her other family members, her best friend and especially little Penny.

Her journey was something we will never forget; we did it as a family, as we did everything. No question, it is just how we do things. Life for us will be hard, tears will flow, but we will be strong together as a family as she would expect us to do. What an honor to have Agnes as our mom. We love you boogs always and forever!

Mom is survived by her children, Debbie Sinsel (Randy Jordan), Bob Sinsel (Cindy Patton), Donean (Rob) Brown, Carol (Kim) Trudeau, and Jill McPherson (Rodney Kluever); her grandchildren, Michelle (Randy) Roberson and Ryan Rabusch; her sisters, Kathy (Frank) Burt and Leona Frick; her good friend, Betty Moore; her doggie friends, Peanut, S'more, Freckles and Lola; and many, many nieces and nephews.

Please join us for a Celebration of Life for our mom, Agnes, from 2:00-4:00pm on Saturday, August 10, 2019 at the Women's Century Club (304 N 2nd St, Yakima, WA 98901). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Yakima Humane Society in her honor and sent in care of Brookside Funeral Home (PO Box 1267, Moxee, WA 98936) who is caring for the family.

Celebration of Life
Woman's Century Club
Saturday, August 10, 2019
2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
304 N 2nd St
Yakima, WA 98901