Obituary: Kathleen Sawaka, 91, The Dalles

Kathleen Sawaka, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Having fought the good fight to the very end, she now rests in the arms of her Heavenly Father.
Kathleen was born on January 31, 1935, in Seattle, Washington, to Francis Russell and Julianna Krull. She was the eldest of three siblings. She was preceded in death by her brother, Robert Krull, and is survived by her sister, Carol Steinman, along with three nieces and two nephews.

She graduated from Holy Mary’s Academy in Seattle and began her working life with “Ma Bell” in Seattle as a young woman. Throughout her life, Kathleen held many positions that reflected her determination and strong work ethic — waitress, bank teller, secretary for Wasco County in The Dalles, Oregon, and for various law offices and businesses. In the mid-1970s, she worked for Boeing Computer Services in Portland, Oregon. Later, after returning to The Dalles, she began working for the Union Pacific Railroad. Starting as a janitor, she worked her way up through dedication and perseverance to timekeeper, crew dispatcher, and ultimately management before retiring. Her journey was a testament to her resilience and strength.

Kathleen was the proud mother of four children. She was preceded in death by her beloved son, Donald Good Jr., and her great-grandson. She is survived by her daughters: Elizabeth Hernandez, Christine Good, and Rosemarie Good. She leaves behind five grandchildren — Heather Webber, Amber Webber, Racheal Perry, Corie Coggins, and Jonathan Good — as well as fifteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren who carry forward her legacy of love.

Throughout her life, Kathleen traveled extensively. As the wife of a military serviceman, she journeyed across the country with her family. Later, through her connection with the Union Pacific Railroad, she continued to explore. In retirement, she delighted in visiting places she had not seen as a young woman. Her favorite destination was Ireland, which held a special place in her heart.

She devoted time to volunteering at Martha & Mary in Poulsbo, Washington, and served as an ombudsman, offering support and compassion to others. She loved her country deeply and cherished the values it stood for.

Kathleen adored her many pets over the years. Her final beloved companion, her cat Precious, was faithfully by her side, often resting on her lap.
She found joy in simple and meaningful pleasures. She loved playing cards — especially Nerts — which became a cherished way to spend one-on-one time with her children. In later years, Friday night card games with her daughters and friends were something she eagerly anticipated. She loved to dance and tried to teach her children to dance as well. She delighted in tongue twisters and had a playful spirit.
Kathleen was also an avid doll collector. She first collected Joseph Originals and later filled rooms with specialty baby dolls, surrounding herself with beauty and nostalgia.

Above all, Kathleen loved being surrounded by her family. Her greatest dream was to have her loved ones gathered close around her — and nothing brought her more joy than seeing generations together at her feet. She was a woman of strength, grace, deep faith, and unwavering love. She leaves behind a living legacy of beauty, resilience, and devotion to family.
She will be dearly missed by her daughters, grandchildren, and generations to come, but her light and love will continue to shine in the hearts of all who knew her.

A grave site blessing will take place at St. Peter’s Cemetery next to the church on Friday, March 13th at 10:00 a.m. Following the grave site blessing, family and friends are welcome to come share their stories/memories at Mom’s house, 750 Division Street, #239, The Dalles, Oregon.