Kathleen Knudeson
May 24, 1925 ~ May 18, 2021 (age 95)
History
The Eastern Oregon Mission, (Agape House) is a Christian mission whose purpose is to feed, clothe and shelter those in need and to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in words and actions. It is service outreach from the local community.
Agape House’s vision is to serve the less fortunate of our area by providing material needs for today and building skills for a better tomorrow.
Our service area is Western Umatilla County and Morrow County with the exception of food boxes. Food boxes are available for residents of Hermiston and Umatilla since other areas are covered by Oregon Food Bank supported food banks.
The Eastern Oregon Mission, (Agape House) opened August 5, 1986 thru the efforts of Kathleen Knudson, a woman who had a vision for serving the less fortunate, working poor and the homeless transients. Beginning in a small house, Agape House grew rapidly over the next few years, becoming a small food bank and clothing dispensary for those in need. This original small house, served Agape House for several years, until the need for spaced pushed it into its current facilities.
In 1986, Agape House served an average of 100 families per month. Today the caseload is more than 750 families a month. With changes in the service area for over the last two decades, the organization added an 8′ x 45′ freezer unit, two walk-in 8′ by 20′ coolers, created more storage for the needed food products, and partnered with Blue Mountain Community College to operate a thrift store. After 8 years of dreaming, 3 years of planning, and fund raising and 4 months of construction, Agape House moved to a larger facility in December of 2005. Agape House continues to serve an ever-increasing caseload through the efforts of concerned individuals, church groups, and volunteers. Agape House has four trucks, a van and two trailers used to transport donated food and other items.
Kathleen Knudeson (Dunnam) was born May 24, 1925 in Spiro, Oklahoma to Jeff and Nettie Jo (Greenwood) Dunnam. She passed away at Parkview Assisted Living in Portland, Oregon on May 18, 2021 at the age of 95. Her children were with her during her last hours.
Kathleen had two passions – her children and her faith. Widowed at 28, Kathleen raised her two children in a stable and happy home. She managed through precarious financial and emotional times after the death of her husband in an accident in 1953. She managed with gentleness and humor bolstered by her faith. She worked in hospitals, schools, local government and law offices in Seattle and Pomeroy, Washington and Hermiston and Salem, Oregon.
Baptized when she was nine years old in Spiro, Oklahoma, her most satisfying achievements were made in service to her church. She was the Missions Director for the First Baptist Church of Hermiston. She served on missions to Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma and to inner city Pasadena. In 1986 she founded Agape House, a community food bank, which continues to thrive today. Her work with Agape House was recognized by the President’s Points of Light Foundation, the Oregon Human Development Corporation, and the Hermiston Chamber of Commerce.
Kathleen was a friend to many and beloved by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was a talented cook, craftswoman, watercolor artist and pianist.
Preceded in death by her husband Lloyd Knudeson, she is survived by children Ann Terry (Steve Bauer) of Hansville, Washington and Kim Knudeson (Rebecca) of Tigard, Oregon; grandchildren Jennifer Coney (Jon) of Portland, Oregon; Matthew Stineff (Andrea) of Homer, Alaska; Petra Harms (Chris) of Imperial Beach California; and seven great-grandchildren.