Kathryn Alma Hogue

Kathryn Alma Hogue passed away peacefully at home, with her family by her side, on October 17 2022 in Portland, Oregon. She was born January 2nd, 1942 in Walla Walla, Washington to Rowena and Edward Jones. Her family moved to Twin Falls Idaho in 1949 where she graduated from Twin Falls High School in 1960. Throughout her youth she was a very active volunteer and participant in various clubs, earning the honor of both Girl of The Year and Honored Queen of her Job’s Daughters Bethel.

Holding on to fond memories of her early childhood in Walla Walla, Kathryn chose to return there to attend Whitman College, where she was an active member of the Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. She received her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Whitman in 1965.  After college, Kathryn moved to Seattle where she worked as a Medical Technologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital. While in Seattle, she fell in love with fellow Whitman alum H. Peter Hogue whom she married in 1968. In 1971, Peter accepted a professorship at CSU-Chico and they left the Pacific Northwest for Chico, California, where they made their home for the next 48 years.

Kathryn and Peter welcomed daughters Sarah Kathryn in 1974 and Gretchen Elizabeth in 1977. After earning her Masters of Science in Biology from Chico State, Kathryn taught biology at both Butte College and CSU, Chico.  Later she worked as a lab technologist for different local labs in Chico. She was a very active member of Bidwell Presbyterian Church, where she lead the Bell Choir. A life long violinist, Kathryn played violin for the Chico Symphony and various local chamber music groups. Service to those in need brought Kathryn deep joy and she took every opportunity she could to volunteer for local organizations or bring food and companionship to friends struggling through hard times. Kathryn always fostered a sense of curiosity and wonder at the world around her and took the opportunity to travel and explore new places whenever she could including multiple trips to Europe and Mexico as well as memorable trips to Israel and The Galapagos Islands.

In her later years, Kathryn found herself faced with many health challenges, most notably the loss of her leg when she was 75. Despite these challenges, she worked hard to stay positive and connected to the activities she loved. In 2019, her daughters brought her to join them in Portland, Oregon to live in an assisted living facility close to their homes. Peter joined her there a year later.  During her time in Portland, Kathryn loved spending time with her 5 grandchildren, participating in all the activities at her facility and getting to explore the beautiful nature abounding in Portland.  Her family is immensely grateful to have had the opportunity to live closely together for these final years.

Kathryn is survived by her husband, Peter, daughters Sarah and Gretchen, her five grandchildren Sage, Ari, Alder, Silas and Oona, and her sister Sharon. A memorial service for Kathryn will be held at Bidwell Presbyterian Church in Chico, CA on Sunday January 8th at 12:30pm. The service will be open to the public.