Laura Ann Koontz 81, died peacefully on March 8, 2006, at her daughter’s home in Auburn, where she had resided for the past year due to poor health. Three of her children were at her bedside at her passing.
Laura Ann was born Oct. 18, 1924 in Lavernne, Okla., to Bernice Robinett and Harvey O’Hair. They migrated to Kennewick, Wash., in 1937 during the “Oklahoma dust bowl.” Ann had known the hard life of the Great Depression. She married Dale Kramer, a soldier from Colorado. This short marriage produced one son, Richard Lee, who died after only one day on earth. She then met a handsome sailor, Paul Koontz while she was working in a cafe in Kennewick. They married and traveled the U.S. with the military having four children in four different states. They moved to Whidbey Island from Jacksonville, Fla., in 1955. When Paul retired they decided to stay on their Whidbey acreage not far from Deception Pass Bridge. Her beloved husband died in 1996.
Ann worked for short periods for Henni Farms, candling eggs, and as a secretary to her husband in their business of Koontz Appliance Repair. In later years you would find her working in the kitchen of King’s Table Restaurant washing dishes or preparing delicious salads.
In the past nine years, Ann had enjoyed going to the Senior Center in Oak Harbor to play bingo; a place where she had made many friends, one in particular, Patrick Bisch. He lit up her life with his love for her. She enjoyed her declining years traveling with Pat.
Laura Ann is survived by her four children Patricia (Vernon) Coates of Auburn, Michael Koontz of Oak Harbor, Kathleen (Gary) Jackson of Arlington, and Barbara (Ron) Brandelli of Oak Harbor; and two brothers, John O’Hair of Arlington and Jimmy O’Hair of Kennewick. One brother and two sisters preceded her in death, HB O’Hair, Nina Gosselin and Eulah Peters.
Funeral services will be at Burley Funeral Chapel, 30 SE Ely Street in Oak Harbor, on Saturday, March 18 at 2 p.m. Interment will be held at Valley, Wash., at a later date. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
