Obituary: Gloria Kanenwisher

Our beautiful Gloria passed away Monday, July 24, 2023, surrounded by love and admiration. Her courage and grace, regardless of what life threw at her, never ceased to amaze the many who loved her. Dementia may have seized her mind, but her heart and soul put up quite a fight.

Gloria was born to Anna and John Lotz on August 17, 1942, in Jordan Valley, Oregon. She often spoke about her childhood adventures, with her many beloved cousins, and about her interesting Basque culture. After the divorce of their parents, Gloria and her siblings, Carlotta and Johnny, moved with their mother Anna to Wilder, Idaho.

Anna would meet and marry Melvin Metzer, who moved the family to Othello, Washington, when Gloria was a teen. Gloria had great respect for her stepdad and was blessed with two more siblings, Jessica and Eldon. She graduated from OHS (Othello High School) in 1960, where she was active in many clubs, was voted best figure, and made friends that she would cherish for the rest of her years.

After venturing out to California in 1961, Gloria returned to Washington and met a tall, handsome Irishman by the name of Frank Kennelly. They married in Moses Lake, where they started a life and family. They would have three children whom Gloria raised single handedly after the marriage ended. What a selfless, hardworking mom she was.

Gloria remained in Washington state, where she did a stellar job as the City Clerk for Othello, before settling in La Conner. She resided there for the remainder of her years. Gloria absolutely loved to get out and golf and work in her beautiful yard on the channel. She took hiking adventures with her beloved girlfriends and traveled with her high school besties. She had the times of her life with those girls!

Gloria adored and was extremely proud of her seven grandchildren. They eventually blessed her with eight great-grandchildren who will dearly miss their Mooma. Gloria was preceded in death by her parents, Anna Metzer and John Lotz; her stepfather, Mel Metzer; her adored siblings, Johnny Lotz and Carlotta Aden; and her beloved daughter, Julia Laufenberg.

Gloria is survived by her daughter, Coleen (Stan) Wade; son Michael Kennelly; sister, Jessica (Bob) Jahns; brother, Eldon (Dorena) Metzer; sister-in-law, Carol Lotz; and son-in-law, Pete (Rebecca) Laufenberg; stepdaughter, Patty; her grandchildren, Eric (Kenzie) Wade, Rachael (Matt) Clark, Bailey (Brandon) Lowe, Dominic Laufenberg, Nate Kennelly, Keegan Kennelly, Emme (Ryan) Kennelly; her blessed great-grandchildren, Randi, Kennelly, Graham, Johnny, Curtis, Cole, Eli and Rowen; her loving caregiver and friend, Lana; her many cousins, nieces, and nephews whom she thought the world of; and her amazing girlfriends who brought her joy and kept her young.

Gloria's family will honor her wishes by laying her to rest with her daughter, Julia Anna. Memorials may be given to the American Brain Tumor Association at https://give.abta.org/give/261975/#!/donation/checkout Please feel free to share memories of Gloria online at http://www.kernfuneralhome.com.