Josephine Rose (Smaciarz) Pemerl, 94, passed away peacefully at home on February 6, 2011 surrounded by her family.
Josephine was born October 25, 1916 in Minneapolis, MN to Joseph and Angela (Hanulka) Smaciarz. The family moved to Pe Ell, WA in 1919. Josephine graduated from Pe Ell High School in 1934. She married Fred Pemerl on November 30, 1940, and they made their home in Chehalis. Fred passed away in 1988.
Josephine's family and her faith were her life. She was raised in St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pe Ell and was a 70 year member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Chehalis, where she was a member of St. Frances Cabrini Circle and the Legion of Mary for many years. She was an excellent homemaker and enjoyed cooking, baking, and gardening. She especially loved caring for her granddaughters and great-grandchildren. She had a special affection for and a strong connection with children and young people.
Josephine is survived by her children Bill (Judy) Pemerl, Linda Pemerl and Sally (Glenn) Chilcott, all of Chehalis; granddaughters Sherry LeDuc, Centralia; Sandy (Shawn) Jones, Chehalis, Stephanie (Jeff) Gundersen, Pacific Beach; Angie (Adam) Martinson, Lake Tapps; and Sara (Eric) Carlson, Longview; great-grandchildren Samantha and Ryan LeDuc, Brock and Braden Jones, and Molly Gundersen, Cole, Kennedy and Taylor Martinson, Riley Carlson; special niece Janet Grange; sisters Julia Brewer and Edith Richter, Chehalis, Violet Wylam and Logie Howell, Centralia; and numerous nieces, nephews and godchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Stella Gehlert and brothers, Steve, Andy, and Joe.
Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, February 14, 2011, 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Chehalis, with recitation of the Rosary to be prior to the service at 10:30 a.m. A reception will follow the service in the school hall. Interment will follow the reception at Claquato Cemetery, Chehalis.
Memorial donations in Josephine's name may be made to St. Joseph Catholic School, 123 SW 6th Street, Chehalis, WA 98532.
The family would like to thank Dr. Jeanne Adams, Assured Home Health & Hospice, and Peace of Mind Home Health Care (Collette, Laura, Diane, and especially Carrie).
Mom, Grandma Josie, we will miss you deeply, but you will be in our hearts and memories forever.
Eternal rest grant unto her, Oh Lord, and let the Perpetual Light shine upon her. May her soul and all of the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
