Kay Odegaard of Centralia, Washington, passed away early in the morning of Sept. 8, 2026, peacefully and painlessly with her husband, Gary, by her side. She was 85 years old, just three weeks away from her 86th birthday.
Kathleen Marit Fifield was born in Bremerton, Washington, on Oct. 1, 1940. She lived most of her childhood in Seattle, graduating from Shoreline High School in 1958. She graduated from Western Washington University with her BA in education in 1962, and it was while attending the university that she met her future husband of 63 years, Gary Odegaard. They were married on June 8, 1963. They lived in the Centralia area ever since, except for a short time in Onalaska.
She taught at several locations and grade levels over the next 34 years, eventually retiring from Centralia College in 1997 after teaching there 24 years. While at Centralia College, she was the school’s first Special Services Coordinator and the co-founder of the Phoenix Learning Center (later renamed the Odegaard Phoenix Center in honor of both her and Gary). The center was created to provide services and individual instruction to adult students working to complete their GEDs and those with special learning needs. She was a noted authority on learning disabilities (especially dyslexia) and traveled throughout Washington and Oregon to train teachers and speak at conferences on the subject. She greatly impacted the lives of many of her students.
Kay was a pillar in the Centralia and Lewis County community, serving countless charities, organizations and causes. She served as an elder and deacon and on numerous committees at her church, was the president of the Lewis County chapter of the American Association of University Women, was a founding member and president of the Sojourner Truth House (providing shelter and services for abused women and children), was a board member of Reliable Enterprises, served on the Literacy Council, and was a longtime coordinator at Love Inc. She was a Golden Sheaf member of the Grange and a member of the Sons of Norway. She was very active in the local Democratic Party, serving as the chair of several organizations and committees for the local and state party, was chosen as a Washington state “elector” in the 1980 presidential election, and was named Lewis County Democrat of the Year in 1987. She was a fierce supporter of the rights of women, minorities, the houseless and the LGBTQ+ community. At the time of her death, she was the chair of the board for the preschool at her church and on the board for the Hope Housing Collaborative (currently building the Shalom Village in Centralia). She was a fighter to the end.
Kay was an avid crafter and “stamper,” was a member of the Inky Pinky stamp club, and made beautiful and intricate cards for every occasion and milestone for those she loved. She adored her grandkids and enjoyed taking them on trips in their RV, crafting with them, taking them to her water aerobics, and showing them how to make Norwegian cookies and foods for the holidays.
She and Gary traveled extensively, especially in their RV, often with their large camping group. They spent 21 years “snowbirding” in Yuma, Arizona, making many new lifelong friends. She was part of their local “Friday Dinner/Lunch” group that still meets most Fridays after more than 40 years. She was blessed with an amazing group of close friends who have been incredibly supportive and helpful to her and Gary during these last few months.
Kay was preceded in death by her parents, Rolla and Alice Fifield, and her sister, Karen Cluster. She is survived by her husband, Gary; her two sons, Greg (wife Ann) and Jeff (partner Shelly); her five grandchildren, Joseph, Maddie, Tora, Lily and Kristian; and three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Hanna and Nellie.
Services will be held at Harrison Square Presbyterian Church in Centralia at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1 (which would have been her 86th birthday). All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Hope Housing Collaborative at https://www.hopehousinglc.com/donate.
