Mostly Clear, 49° F
(March 3, 1942 – Aug. 1, 2015)
Kathleen Marie (Gemmell) Vibe died on Saturday, Aug. 1, 2015, in Billings, after a brief illness.
Kathleen was born on March 3, 1942, in Bakersfield, California, to Julia (Pedersen) and Gifford Gemmell. Four years later, she became a big sister to Sheila Jane. She graduated from Bakersfield High in 1959 and then attended the University of Redlands. While in school, she met the love of her life, Paul, and they married on Oct. 22, 1962.
Their love took them to Alaska where they had two sons, Erik and Matthew. They then moved back to Bakersfield where their daughter Juliet was born. In 1995, Kathleen and Paul made their home in Powell, where she lived until death. Paul and Kathleen were active members of St. Barbara’s Catholic Church.
In October 2010, Paul and Kathleen lost their son, Matthew. Matthew, who had cerebral palsy, lived with them all 43 years of his life. Kathleen and her son shared a very special bond.
Kathleen had a strong faith in Jesus Christ and enjoyed spending daily quiet time reading scripture. Kathleen was never short on words of praise and encouragement to her children and grandchildren, who will miss her terribly. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.
Kathleen is survived by her husband of 52 years, Paul; son Erik (Valerie) Vibe of Bakersfield, California; daughter Juliet (Terry) Fish of Powell, along with the lights of her life, grandchildren Christine, Alison, Anita, Alexandra, Kelsey Grayson, and Christopher “CJ”, and great-grandchildren Audrey, Tatum, Zoe, Jackson and Olivia.
Kathleen is also survived by her brother-in-law Marlan (Debbie) Proctor Jr. , nephew Marlan (Tina) Proctor III and niece Emily (Eric) Hays.
Kathleen was preceded in death by her dear sister, Sheila Proctor, and beloved son Matthew.
A rosary will be said at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, and the funeral will take place at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug, 5, at St. Barbara's Catholic Church in Powell. Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the church.
The family suggests memorial donations to the Serenity Pregnancy Resource Center in Powell.
