Burnette Emily Kerle

BURNETTE EMILY KERLE February 6, 1916 ~ March 27, 2012 Burnette Emily Kerle, 96, of Vancouver, WA, went to be with our Lord on March 27, 2012. She was born Feb. 6, 1916 in Adrian, ND to Wesley and Louisa Benjamin. As a girl, she herded cattle by horseback as it was her job to do so and she was an excellent basketball player in Adrian. Burnette and William "Bill" Elmer Kerle of Battle Ground, WA, were married on July 1, 1939 and were life partners in all of their endeavors. They were married 62 years until his death on Feb. 18, 2001 in Colfax, WA. Her joy was working with her husband and family, church family, as a caregiver, their many friends, Minnehaha Grange, Dogwood Garden Club and hosted Immaculate Conception Gospel Choir of Seattle once a year for five years. She enjoyed the Gifford Homemakers Club, her little Yorkie, "Barney" and was an avid Trail Blazers fan. The Kerle's lived in Vancouver, WA for three years, then moved to Bonneville, WA for two years where they owned and operated a grocery store. They lived in Mosier, OR, owned and operated another grocery store for two years, then moved back to Vancouver, WA to build homes. In retirement, they enjoyed Desert Hot Springs for the winter for 17 years with family, friends and old classmates. In the winter of 1995, they moved to St. John, WA and lived with their daughter and son-in-law. In 2004, she lived her last eight years with her daughter and son-in-law in Lenore, ID. Burnette is survived by their five children: Yvonne E. Pea (Jack), Anne MacLeod, Larry E. Kerle (Rita), Darlene M. Merrill (Mike) and George W. Kerle; 14 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; many, many great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Margie Larson of Vancouver, WA. She was preceded in death by parents; husband; seven siblings and spouses; a son-in-law; and a daughter-in-law. A visitation will be held on Tues., April 3, 2012, at Evergreen Memorial Garden Funeral Home, 9:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m. The Rosary service will be held on Wed., April 4, 2012 at 1:15 p.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 400 S. Andresen, Vancouver, WA 98661 with the funeral Mass to follow at 2:00 p.m. Interment at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Vancouver, WA. Contributions may be made to a Hospice of your choice. They are truly God's gift to America.

Burnette Emily Kerle

February 6, 1916 - March 26, 2012