Obituaries: Kathleen ‘Beetle’ VanAtta

Published 4:00 pm Wednesday, March 17, 2004

Kathleen ‘Beetle’ VanAtta

U.S. West manager, 54Kathleen “Beetle” VanAtta, 54, of Astoria, died Thursday, March 4, 2004 in Astoria.

Ms. VanAtta was born Feb. 23, 1950 in Portland to Lloyd and Marjorie Kirstein. Her mother survives, residing in Portland.

She graduated from Washington High School in Portland in 1968 and then attended Western Business College from 1968 to 1970. After college she worked, her entire career, for U.S. West Telephone Company. She retired from her management position in 2000 and moved to Astoria.

Ms. VanAtta enjoyed cooking, crossword puzzles and her cats. She was known as “Beetle” to those close to her. Family members say she was very proud of the fact that she once bowled a 206 in her bowling league. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by two sisters and brothers-in-laws, Sheryl and Tom Pagenstecher and Jan and Blair Kramer, all of Portland; two brothers and sisters-in-laws, Doug and Joan Kirstein of Milwaukie and Ken and Peggy Kirstein of Seattle; a stepdaughter and son-in-law, Julie and Christopher Hartley of Seattle; a stepson, Rob VanAtta of Seattle; two grandchildren, Evan and Spencer Hartley of Seattle; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private memorial services will be held.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bayshore Animal Hospital’s Angel Fund, in care of Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary, 1165 Franklin Ave., Astoria, OR 97103.