Letha Mae Kindall, 89, passed away Friday, September 1st, 2023, at her home in Bothell, Washington with her family around her.

Letha was born in Campbell, Missouri, on June 28th, 1934, to the Reverend Ernest & Ova Mae Friend. Her father's peripatetic ministry meant that Letha grew up, along with her older sister Glenda and younger brother Wilbur, in a half dozen places in Missouri and California and, most adventurously, Takoradi, Ghana (then the British colony of Gold Coast).

She attended college at Southern California Bible College (now Vanguard University), where even before starting classes she met her future husband, LaVon Kindall. They were married December 7th, 1956, in Bakersfield, California, in a double wedding with her sister Glenda & Don Brown, officiated by her father.

Letha and LaVon began their shared life of service as youth pastors in Costa Mesa, California. Over their long life together (they didn't quite reach their 67th anniversary), they lived in Bakersfield, Santa Cruz, Juneau, and Bothell.

In 1972, Letha and LaVon answered a call to Alaska. She was skeptical at first, but during their first visit she turned to LaVon and said, "This feels like home!" In Juneau they directed the Children's Home, which became the Alaska Youth Village, where for fourteen years they served the needs of kids in their care. While she was officially the office manager, she was LaVon's indispensable companion and partner, keeping everything running smoothly and making herself loved by the kids and staff.

Soon after arriving in Juneau Letha and LaVon built a home to handle their two teenagers and two soon-to-be teenagers. The Dudley Street home became of hive of activity, full of friends and visitors. Her four kids (and many honorary family members) basked in her love, encouragement, and spiritual example. Even while working full-time, she supported all four in all their activities, providing taxi service for four kids going in different directions to school, music lessons, little league, school musicals, parent-teacher conferences, etc. How did she do it all? Her daughter described her as "June Cleaver on steroids" (remember the 1960s TV show "Leave it to Beaver"?).

From the age of fourteen Letha served as organist, starting with her father's congregation. She faithfully continued this uplifting ministry as organist for sixty-plus years - she felt this was her special calling. Each week Letha would pray and plan for the next Sunday’s service. Whether in solemn worship or joyous praise, her music was always meant to edify and turn the congregants' hearts to their Lord.

She loved sewing and quilting. She loved going to the bistro at Nordstrom's for la-di-das (lattes) with her granddaughters. Peculiarly, she loved shopping at Fred Meyers. Parkinson's disease eventually deprived her of these activities, but she could still enjoy having her family around her. She always remained the focus of her family's love and affection.

She made the world a richer, brighter, more gracious place.

She is dearly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Henry LaVon Kindall; her daughter Kelly Johnson (Steve) and sons Greg, Randy (Alysse), & Scott (Michelle); beloved grandchildren, Katelynn (Wayne), Jacklynn, Tori, and Cole; precious great-grandsons Troy, Myles, and Zayden; sister Glenda Brown and brother Wilbur Friend (Shirley); sisters-in-law Mary Stagg, Rowena Kindall and Dorothy Kindall; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate Letha's life and legacy will be held at 2 Saturday, September 30th, at the Chapel of the Resurrection, 16300 112th Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011.

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