John Krom

John L. Krom was born May 1, 1935, to John and Elizabeth (Dippel) Krom, at home on the family farm near Dusty, Wash., where he would reside for the next 72 years. John died on September 8, 2018, at Pullman Regional Hospital following complications from a fall at his home in Pullman. He was 83.

John attended school at LaCrosse, Wash., graduating in 1953. He fell in love with Kay Baker from Colfax and they were married on September 23, 1956. Growing up with six sisters, marrying and soon adding two daughters to his young family, John was forever surrounded by women. This formed the foundation for his greatest personality traits: patience, gentleness and understanding – in addition to his consummate social nature.

After one year at Washington State College (WSU), John headed back to Dusty for a 45-year career on the farm. As a faithful steward of the land, John worked hard, but he also knew how to enjoy life. In earlier years, he loved to bowl and golf, was an active member of the Dusty Gun Club and was a regular at the Dusty Café coffee drinkers' table. John served as director for the former Production Credit Association (PCA). John and Kay were enthusiastic performers in the LaCrosse Community entertainment group known as "The '89'ers" and were long-time members of the Country Bible Church. More recently, they attended the Onecho Bible Church.

John and Kay relocated to Pullman in 2007 and acclimated to "city life" almost immediately. John quickly assimilated himself into the McDonald's coffee crowd which became his daily home away from home for 10 years.

Even though John battled a long list of health issues for much of his life, they always took a backseat to his energy and curiosity about everything going on around him. He stayed very active until the spring of 2016. John and Kay gracefully transitioned to Pullman's Bishop Place Independent Living apartments in 2017. They were two weeks away from celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary when John died.

John is survived by his wife, Kay at the home in Pullman; daughters, Shan Kelly (Mike Poulson) of Colfax and Connell, Kristal Kirpes (Kelly) of Colton; sisters, Virginia Sanders, Colfax, Joanne Kimmel, Talent, Ore., Claudia Marshall, Renton, Wash .; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and treasured friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Margaret Bolz, Alma Natwick and Ruby Brown; and two young brothers, Allen Dean Krom and Daniel John Krom.

The family suggests memorials to the Dusty Cemetery Association, the Country Bible Church, or the Onecho Bible Church.

A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, October 4, 2018, at 2pm at the Onecho Bible Church, 11361 Almota Rd, Colfax, WA with Pastor Mike Nyholm officiating. Burial will take place at 12:30 at the Dusty Cemetery prior to the memorial service. A reception will follow the memorial service at the church.

The family is being cared for by Bruning Funeral Home, Colfax.