Celebration of Kathi set for Sunday

she was certainly someone i admired from beginning to end.

 

i remember one wednesday evening ken schram did a report on why woman should not breast feed in public.  when the piece was over, there was a slight pause, then kathi chimed in with "what an idiot."  her tone was quite self-assured and it was likewise funny.

 

the tears come because she was all good and, thus, another lesson in how unfair life can be.

We will all miss Kathi, she was pure class inside and out. I have always thought that Kathi looked and acted just like Lady Diana. I would like KOMO to put together all the bloopers from her and Dan, sell the DVD to raise money for her tumor research..We saw a few while watching the Memorial Service. They were pretty funny...Love and Hugs to all KOMO Family and Kathi's Loved ones.

Kathi, you won the Gold Medal and we will remember you.

I always looked forward to seeing you on the news Kathi your soft tone and friendly smile was always so warm and you spoke as if you were talking directly to people as if it were aconversation over a cup of coffee. You had a way about your reporting that  made a person feel involved. You are a legend to be forever remembered.

At least we know up in heaven, she has her full smile once again. :)

Thank you Kathi for sharing your life with all of us!!!! We are better for it!!!! You inspired us with your dedidication, commitment, strength, courage, and your love everyday as you battled the raging brain tumors that finally took you from us!!! May you rest in peace with your Lord and Saviour. You have won the war and received your Eternal reward!!!!!! You are home now!!!! I can only imagine what Heaven is like!!!!! You will be missed but we rejoice in your Celebration and Home Going!!!!

RIP Kathi. You will be missed.

Your mama is/was lovely dear girls. 

Today is a time to remember the life of Kathi Goertzen. I learned of the news early Tuesday morning after a piece on Facebook from a fellow broadcast news friend. I watched the KOMO 11 P.M. Monday night newscast via the internet. My heart ached as I watched. What a wonderful person Kathi was in informing the viewers of KOMO-TV. Judging from the posts I have seen here,she was loved by all of you. Today we share this love with this wonderful newscaster. Thank you Kathi...we will never forget you.

I am very saddened to hear about Kathi Goertzen passing away.  I have watched her since she first started on KOMO TV.  She was truely an amazing woman.  She will be very much missed,not only by her family,friends & coworkers.  But by all the people who watched her on KOMO TV & by all the people who's lives she touched

even in a small way.  My thoughts & prayers go out to her family,friends & coworkers.  We Love You Kathi !! 

I was delighted to have been able to discover the Kathi had the same procedure that I was facing with a BAHA device to improve my hearing ability.  I was uncertain about what to do, and, even though Kathi was going through her own trials in life, she took the time to ease my worries and to ultimately have the surgery and the hearing implant.  My quality of life is much better now, because this beautiful person took the time out of her busy and worrisome life to give me a little peace of mind in my life.  For that I will be eternally grateful.

 

I listened to the beautiful tribute that her daughter sang for her mom.  It was truly amazing.  Our thoughts and prayers will be with you all as you gather together to celebrate this wonderful lady.  Something that helped me to get through my mothers recent death, was in the words of Romans 8: 38 - 39 (nothing shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus...).  May you find comfort and peace in the days ahead as you continue to gather as family and friends.

I lived in Steilacoom, WA for nearly 30 years and Kathi was my favorite news person.  In 2003 my husband and I moved to Amarillo, TX to be near my parents who had retired (medically) from being Missionaries in S. Korea for 40 years.  Daddy had prostate cancer of the bone and went to Heaven in November of 2010.  I am occasionally able to go to "The Great Pacific Northwest" to see my three children and seven grandchildren.  I think it was my first visit that I asked about Kathi and was told of her cancer and her Face Book account.  I have kept up with your wonderful family ever since.   I feel as if I knew her personally and am proud of all her achievements.  She was surely a woman young girls and women everywhere should use as a role model in planning out their lives ~ personally and professionally.  I am so sorry for your loss...and for ours.

Just wanted to let Kathy's daughters know that she will always be with you and I know this first hand. I lost my mother when I was 17 tragically and she too gave me so much love that after I lost her, her spirit helped me through many challenges in life. Because of her I have been successful and have a wonderful relationship with my daughter. After 42 years there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her or say a prayer for her and I know she is always here with me. God Bless you and your Dad.

I never got a chance to meet Kathi in person, but somehow I felt like we were friends. Each night seeing her on the news, her warmth, her smile, her personality shining through, even in the tough times. She is loved and  missed by so many. A remarkable woman who really made an impact on us all. To her family, thank you for sharing her with us. To both her family and her KOMO family, our thought and prayers are with you all during this sad time.

We are so very sorry for your loss.  Kathi was such an inspiration in her battle.  We have lost two members of our family - a sister and a son - to brain tumors, so we relate very personally to your loss.  God bless you and give you a peace beyond all understanding.

I was so sad to hear of Kathi's passing,I met her once about 20 yre ago at Children's hospital, I was just walking in the hallway and she asked me if I was alright. I told her i was there visiting a friends son who had lukemia for the 2nd time and not doing well.

 S he was so nice and then she offered to go visit him, She weny right then and did visit with him it made his day, TY Kathi for all of the years you showed yourselves to all of us.

 I will miss you doing Healthlink, I learned alot from that,.

You will be missed,my al in Washington.

My prayers  are with the family and her KOMO family at this distressing timr, May God Bless You All.

I moved to the tri-cities a few years ago and the news over here really needed something, Kathi to teach them how to do the news, I kept up with her on Komo web page and then her Facebook page,. was really hoping she would beat those darn tumors, Kept praying for her, but I know we have a Awesome God and he takes us home when it is time to leave this cruel world and be in Paradise with Him. Kathi is a Class act and 1 very Classy lady, I will miss reading her post and checking on her. I wish I could be in Seattle this weekend to be at her Celebration of Life. My thoughts and Prayers are with her family and friends and co-workers. I will miss her. Thanks Kathi for sharing your experiences with us and Sharing you with us. Rest In Peace Beautiful Lady!!!

What can I say, I am heartbroken at the loss of Kathi but find some comfort in my Great Niece being born on August 13, at 12:50 PM may she have the soul of Kathi what an honor that would be. Hugs Love and prayers to you all!

Kathi was a real person when you watched her it was like listening to your best friend, even tho i never met her I was deeply  sorry of her passing.I pray that her family, friends and co-workers find peace and comfort in this terrible time in their live

Even tho I never met Kathi in person she was always the one that I wanted to be like. Warm, loving, kind and beautiful. I left Seattle over 15 years ago but the memories I have of Kathi and Seattle still live on in my heart. She made a huge impact on so many of us. Kathi you are so very loved and missed.

I did not know Kathi personally, however I have memories of her, Dan Lewis, Steve Pool and others coming to the small town and the store I worked at.  She was so kind, warm and of course so pretty.   I would hear her voice on my tv, and have to watch her because I just liked her lots!  I am so sorry for you all, and I thank you for sharing her in this way.  She was a teacher by how she lived and will be so missed..

I grew up watching Kathi Goertzen on KOMO 4 News in the 80s and 90s. Saddened by her death would be putting it mildly. I cried when I heard of her death. At least she's now in a better place.

Extraordinary! And simply down to earth. Kathi was and is an angel to the human race! Her enormous heart lives on to eternity! Thank you Kathi. Your just about the same age as me. I am a native PACNW girl and I have grown up with you in my home on KOMO. It's almost like you are family. I truly do believe we are all connected.

 

Much love to  Kathi's close friends and family.

 

Anna in Silverdale, WA.

I still cant believe she is really gone....

I'll be there.  Wild horses couldn't keep me away.

What a stunning smile she had =)

Kathi was and still is an inspiration to all. Her dignity and determination to fight a brave battle with something that many would find too hard to bare gives hope to the many people in this city, state, country and even world. She never backed down from the fight. She showed me how determination and hope can get you through even the toughest of situations. I was able to adapt and adjust to my own health struggles because of Kathi's courage. She taught me that I could get through it. She gave encouragement when she could. And for that, I am eternally grateful. Even though she has moved on to her next journey, she will always be a guiding light in my life because she would want everyone to be happy, healthy and loved. 

I'm so glad it will be streamed on the Net.  Many of us who remember her are no longer in the area, and still want to celebrate her life with all the others who loved and respected her.

I am so grateful to see that the service will be streamed on your website. I grew up in Seattle for 26 years and watched Kathi my entire childhood through college years. Though I haven't lived in the NW since 2006 or seen any newscasts from there since then, I still have felt a real loss since hearing of her passing, like that of losing an old friend that I haven't seen for years. I am happy to know that even from the midwest I will get my chance to share in celebrating the life of such an amazing woman. God Bless her and her beautiful family. I believe she is with Jesus now, healed and whole. No more pain and her beautiful smile is back! What a hope!!

I am so sorrry for kathis family and friends,she was a great person,i cant believe that the news casters were on tv the day we lost her,they should have been able to be with each other in private.I know that kathi was able to hear all of you when you said your goodbyes,just this past april,i had emergency surgery and was on life support and could hear everything,my family was amazed when i repeated things they had said..She will be truly missed,god bless kathi and her family.

I really hope that they broadcast the service. I just found out  family is coming to visit this weekend and I don't want to miss saying goodbye to Kathi. She was so special to all of us for so many years. I will especially miss her laugh, it was contagious. I have watched her since she started on the news at KOMO and will miss her quick wit and how she kept the guys in line. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you at KOMO.

I won't be able to attend the celebration and will be working. I hope that KOMO repeats the broadcast of the celebration  so I can watch it, or puts the video online. Kathi meant so much to so many people in the region,  I'm sure many people would be glad to see it if they are unable to attend/watch the live stream. I hope the plaza is filled to capacity! God Bless.

Kathi was not only beautiful, she was an outstanding journalist and a caring and giving human being.  My thoughts and prayers are with her family, and her KOMO family.    She was so full of courage and even when she wasn't well she had time for others dealing with similar issues.  She will be missed. 

Many different people have said many different things regarding Kathi.  To me there is only one term that describes her, Kathi is "Good People"

Beautiful picture<3

Kathi was a true journalist, a beautiful lady, and God's gift to the PNW. Now she knows all the answers, while we continue to guess down here. Bless you, Kathi!

Kathie's memorable personality will missed among loyal komo4 viewers such as myself my heart, thoughts, and condolences to Mrs goertzen's family in a time of  sorrow and to the youngest of brave souls in their family she is indeed at peace no doubt having a good chuckle or two with  walter Cronkite it is best in times like this to bring to thought times of joy,laughter, and memories that focus on times that will make those who knew her personally as well her family chuckle and as well a message to other respective media employees if the family requests privacy please respect those wishes and honor them you yourselves would not a death of a loved one that affects yourself become a "media circus"

I hope the Seattle PD is ready to do some MAJOR traffic control work around the Center, because THOUSANDS of people are going to be flooding the place. If I wasn't going to be on the entire other side of the country I'd be among them.

Kathi has been my inspiration: I came from Mexico in 1981, did not understand the language, but it was a pleasure every day to watch the news, I did not understand, but I got to watch a beautiful, smart, happy, interesting lady named Kathi, she had everything I wanted to be, so I did it, not like her, but she has been my “IDOL” . I will always remember Her, Now we have the prettiest God’s Angel.

I think it does little good to question or complain about the venue.  This is a very private moment in every family's life and to have it shared w/ the public in any measure, is a kind gesture.  I just hope that so many people show up that KOMO and Seattle understand just what a special person Kathi truly was to this region, this state...our own homegrown celebrity, who never allowed the enticements of ambition and fame cloud her judgement or ability.  I am so proud of the fact that she remained so true to her home state.  It would be good to see Fisher pavilion renamed in her honor...

I just want everyone to know that Kathi fought her illness to the end with dignity. courage, and fortitude! She was not afraid to show the public what the tumors were doing to her body and face in particular.  In doing so, she did her part to help people who are far less perfect appearance-wise that there is no shame in showing it.  It taught me that whatever one looks like on the outside is only skin deep; Kathi was a great teacher in this respect. For this, she has this survivor of malignant melanoma my biggest Thank You ever! 

Although I"m not living in the Seattle area anymore I still remember Kathi as a beautiful person. When she was on the news with Dan I was hooked on the screen.Now living in the Netherlands with friends in the Seattle area I hope that Komo will stream the ceremony so I can watch it on my computer and so it feels like I'm there.

It's going to be a sad day in Seattle come Sunday. I wish too, that they could have chosen Key  Arena, but the Komo Pavillion is in a place that Kathi loved, so I respect her family's decision. I will be there through the TV as I watch the celebration of a life well lived. Thank you to Kathi's wonderful family for sharing so much of her with us. We are better people knowing about her life, and those who knew her personally.

Too bad a larger venue couldn't be used.  So many people will want to attend in person vs. watching online or on TV.  Either way, it will be a great memorial to Kathi, I am sure of that!!

  T.A.KIRMAN   I am so sad that she's gone away from us.  I have watched her for many years, and I knew she was fighting all the way along, never, ever giving up.  I too, had a Meginoima Brain tumor (probably don't spell it correctly) and mine was

on the left side.  I couldn't walk, talk, or remember people . It was awful, and I ended up with a paralized right side, and I still can't talk, very well.  I was going to call the people that were in charge of you, that same day, but I was too late.  I cried and cried just at the thought of not being able to touch you.  I do know now, that you're in a much happier, joyous, quiet time.  We miss you Kathi.