Kathleen Ann Van Horn Obituary (2024)

Kathleen Ann VanHorn, age 55, of Wenatchee, Washington passed away on December 8, 2024. Kathi was born on June 4, 1969, to Judy and Oscar in Yakima, Washington. After Kathi graduated from Woodlake High School in 1987, she went on to fall in love and marry, Ronald Willis, on June 10, 1992. They went on to have two children, Samantha and Zack and raised their family in Yakima, Washington. Kathi was best known for being a mother and that's a job she took very seriously. She was the best mom a kid could ever ask for. Her kindness will continue to be passed on for generations to come. Kathi spent most of her life in Yakima, where she worked at Arctic Circle for many years making more friends than could possibly be imagined. Everyone who knew her would always say she was the spark that lit up every room. She made the world's best chocolate chip cookies, it's no joke! Just ask anyone, they would all agree! Any given afternoon the house would be full of the delicious smell of baking cookies, she loved to make them and give them to all she cared for. She loved animals and had many cats and dogs throughout the years. In recent years she had her and Shawn's cats, Clyde and Jet. Her favorite pet being her one and only dog, Riley. Her lap dog that was like a third child to her. In 2020, Ron passed due to cancer. Leaving Kathi with a hole in her heart that took years to patch. In 2022, Kathi met Shawn VanHorn, and they had a whirlwind love story, full of adventures, such as fishing and making road trips to get her favorite long John Silvers in Tri Cities. She was very happy and went on to marry Shawn, on June 3, 2023 and moved to Wenatchee to continue their life and adventures. Kathi was predeceased by her father, Oscar Burton, her adoptive father, Robert Graham, and her first husband, Ron Willis. She is survived by her husband, Shawn VanHorn, daughter, Samantha Willis, and son, Zack Willis. Grandchildren, Ezio Lugo and Emi Willis, as well as her mother, Judy Graham, and sister, Angie. Service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church (1354 Eastmont Ave, East Wenatchee, WA) on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 11:00am. A celebration of life will follow in the spring in Yakima, Washington. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Yakima Humane Society and the Wenatchee Humane Society, organizations Kathi felt strongly about. She loved animals and would love to have given to animals in need. Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.brooksidefuneral.com.