Catherine “Katie” (Kessel) Steinke, 94, Sequim, Wash. died Tuesday, January 17, 2017 in Sequim. Katie’s Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 24, 2017 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, Dickinson, with Fr. Thomas Wordekemper, OSB as the celebrant. Inurnment will take place at a later date at St. Joseph’s Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Assumption Abbey, Richardton, or to the St. Joseph’s Pine Room renovation project.
Catherine “Katie” Kessel was born to Joseph and Ottilia (Herauf) Kessel on September 7, 1922 in Dickinson. She attended St. Joseph’s Grade School and Dickinson High School. Shortly after graduation, she started a career as a telephone operator with Northwestern Bell, as an operator, eventually becoming Chief Night Operator. After a few years, Katie moved to Seattle where she continued her career as a telephone operator. She continued working in this capacity until her retirement.
Katie married George Steinke on October 31, 1976 in Seattle. Upon retirement, George and Katie moved to Sequim, Wash. where they built a home on the shores of Puget Sound. They lived there the remainder of their life, loving the Sound to its fullest.
George passed away on July 29, 1998. Katie continued to live there until February of 2014. Katie moved into Sherwood Manor Assisted Living in Sequim due to aging and health reasons. She lived there for the remainder of her life.
Katie’s nephew, John “Skip” Kessel was her able caretaker the last years of her life. Katie’s life was one of loving, sharing, caring and generous giving to her family and others. She especially loved lay minister Nicki, who prayed for her and with her. Katie also was an ardent Mariner and Seahawk fan to say the least, as often on game day she donned their respective jerseys.
Katie was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, John, Frank, Edward, Jerome, Ted, Christ ”Credo”; sisters, Margaret and Judy; brothers-in-law, Joe Kostelecky, Laudie Kudrna and Joe Koffler.
Katie is survived by Ludy Kostelecky, Spokane; Dorothy Kudrna, Dickinson; George (Irene) Kessel, Dickinson; Erv (Marilyn) Kessel, Dickinson; and two sisters-in-law, Pauline Kessel, Dickinson and Terry Kessel, Dickinson; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
