Katharine Day Bunnell

In loving memory of Katharine Day Bunnell, who died at home on May 17, 2023, of an aggressive sarcoma cancer of the uterus. She was the companion and wife of Del Langbauer for almost 30 years and beloved mother of Amy Catharine German and Wendell Ross German. She will be deeply missed.

Katie, as she was affectionately known, grew up in Ithaca, NY. As a young woman she used her athletic skills in camp counselor roles as a coach and water sports manager, continually finding satisfaction and joy working with children. She kept her camp friends all her life and always looked forward to their reunions around the country. She graduated from Cornell University in 1965 with a degree in Art History, during which time she studied Japanese language, art and culture to prepare for her journey to Japan for the Tokyo Olympics.

Following a postgraduate study in pottery at The School forAmerican Craftsmen, she moved to the Pacific Northwest. In the early seventies, she had two children with her first husband, Forrest German. They lived in Seattle, Washington. Moving to Vashon Island was the next leg of her life adventure, purchasing their special plot of land and building their home. She took to the Vashon community quickly, becoming a swim coach, advocate and making many friends. Being a mother was one of the most important parts of Katie’s life, a role that gave her much joy. She was supportive, kind, witty, and a source of inspiration with her creativity in crafts and pottery, and her love of gardening.

At age 52, now divorced, she earned a Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Puget Sound, and established a new livelihood as an OT helping countless kids with special needs in the public school system.

Vashon Island was her home for more than forty years and she reveled in the camaraderie of the community and became an enthusiastic Mahjongg player later in life. She was an avid reader, sailor and swimmer. She and Del sailed in the San Juans and along the coasts of Vancouver Island every summer, for 20 years, in their Swedish sailboat “Ithaka.”

Katie’s political involvement, love for the earth, her invitingly wild gardens, and her love and loyalty for family and friends were very important to her. Everybody who knew her was familiar with her turtle, Boris, whom she enjoyed greatly. She had determination and tenacity and will be deeply missed by everyone whose life she touched.

She was preceded in death by her parents Henry Detweiler and Catharine Sterling Detweiler, and her twin sister Alice Royer. She is survived by her husband Del Langbauer; daughter Amy Catharine German (Adam Wiener); son Wendell Ross German (Meredith Moran German); stepson Nels Langbauer (Maria Cândida Langbauer) turtle Boris; brother John Henry Detweiler (Sylvia Cole Detweiler); sister Molly Sterling Detweiler (David Robinson); nieces and nephews: Michael Case, Susan Detweiler, Corrella Detweiler, Catharine Robinweiler, Noelle Lindenmann, and Alex Robinweiler.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Orca Network or Honor the Earth in Katie’s name. A small, intimate family memorial service has been held.