Genelia Kathryn Patnode Obituary (1928

Genelia Kathryn Patnode, 85, of Yakima, went home to her Lord, Tuesday August 5th, 2014. Genelia was born December 7, 1928 in Lewiston, ID, the daughter of Jacob B. and Bessie K. (Walsh) Starnes. She was raised and educated in the Lewiston Area. She married Gene Lawrence in 1947 and they had 4 daughters, Julie, Connie, Dyann, and Kim. Genelia later married Paul Harris, who had 3 children of his own. The family grew to 7 children. After the death of Paul Harris, Genelia married Bernie Patnode, who had 4 children, which expanded the family to 11 children. In the mid-60's she opened a fabric store, Harris Fashion Fabrics, which started in her garage and eventually moved to the Westpark shopping center. She taught many classes on the art of working with knit fabrics, taking her classes to high schools and local colleges. She then went on to become an Electrical Contractor, being one of the first woman electrical contractors in the state, working on the Rotunda and the state Capital building in Olympia. Genelia enjoyed family gatherings, in particular family potlucks, camping, quilting, and painting. She is lovingly survived by her children, Julie & Gene Benedictson of Sandy, OR, Connie & Ron Wellner of Yakima, Debby Grillo, of Yakima, Dyann & Terry Kanzler of Selah, Kim Zimmerman of Sandy, OR, Terri Quenser of Yakima, Marc & Denise Patnode and Steve & Lori Patnode, all of Seattle, WA and Diana & Mark Stuvland of Kenmore, WA, 17 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, also sister-in-law Kathy Starnes of Lewiston, ID; one niece and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Gene Lawrence, Paul Harris and Bernie Patnode; a daughter, Judy Brian and a son, David Harris. Per the wishes of Genelia, the family will have a Celebration of Life potluck.