NIELS SPENCER KAAS ~ Class of 1937
December 31, 1919 - February 5, 2009



Niels Spencer Kaas, beloved husband and dad, a life-long resident of Richland passed away on February 5, 2009, at home. He was born in Richland December 31, 1919. Niels was raised on the family orchard overlooking the Columbia River. He was the second son of a family of six. Niels attended school in Richland and graduated from Richland High School in 1937.

He worked at the Boeing Aircraft company in Seattle in 1941 and 1942 before entering the U.S Army in 1942 and serving unti1 1945. He then returned to Richland where he worked at the Hanford site. He worked in the 300 Area, at several reactors including B reactor and retired in 1982 as a reactor operator at the N reactor.

A friend set Niels up on a blind date with Juanita Dawson and she became his wife in October 10, 1947. Niels was a handy man around the house and it seemed like nothing was beyond his ability to build or fix. He built a large garage with shop, created a large family room in their basement, built two color TVs and he was known for his great tomatoes and cucumbers that he supplied to friends every summer from his garden. As their children were being raised he enjoyed yearly vacations with his family around the country. There were several trips over the years that included lake and ocean fishing, camping, water skiing and snow skiing. He started water skiing in 1957 and spent many days over the years helping his children and others to learn to water ski. There were many snow skiing trips over the years to White Pass, Spout Springs and Anthony Lakes. There were trips to the Redwoods, Disneyland, Grand Canyon and many other places. After his retirement he and his wife managed to visit every state except Hawaii in his motorhome.

Niels is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Juanita; his daughter Judy Kaas Skogen ('66) and husband Finn of Woodinville, WA; his daughter Sandy Kaas Wallace ('68) and husband Dennis ('68) of Redmond, OR; and son Dave Kaas ('60) of Richland; grandchildren Kevin Skogen, Anna-Lisa Skogen, Brian Skogen and Kristina Skogen; Tawnya Mcphetridge and husband Kevin, Ben Wallace and wife Lisa and their children Aiden Wallace and Chloe Wallace. He is also survived by a sister Alice Chapman, and two brothers, Gordon Kaas and Norman Kaas.

A memorial service will be held Wednesday February 11, 2009 at 2:00pm at Einan's Funeral Home, 915 Bypass Hwy, Richland. Visitation will be held on Tuesday February 10 from 5:00pm-8:00pm and Wednesday 8:00am until the service.

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