Niva Kezele

Niva Jean Kezele (Novie) & Matt Walter Kezele (Junior), both 85, went home to the Lord just 5 days apart at Cottage in the Meadow (Jan. 11 and Jan. 16 respectively). Niva was born on Oct. 2, 1931 in Dallas, Texas to Henry and Lavinia (Vinnie Johnson) Niles. The family moved to the Yakima Valley in her teens, Niva attended school in Wapato and Graduated from Yakima Senior High School, “Class of 51”. Matt was born at the family ranch on Naches Heights on April 25, 1931 to Matthe (Matt, Sr.) and Josephine (Planisheck) Kezele. Matt attended local schools in Tieton. Niva and Matt are survived by their son Matt Kezele, III (Utahna) of Yakima and daughter Jeanne Lenhart (David) of Tieton. Their youngest, Randall James Kezele (Randy), born December 19, 1958 passed on June 4, 2006. His remains will be interred with his parents. They are also survived by grandchildren: Kathy, Twilah, Amber, Ronnie, Lavinia, numerous great and great great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Niva’s only surviving siblings are: sister Peggy (Niles-Smith) Dietrich of Yakima and brothers Dalen and Bob Niles (Ida) of Spokane. Niva was preceded in death by siblings Johnny, Jimmy, Clarice, Jerry, Don, Willie and Steve. Matt is survived by his brothers Frank Kezele and Rudy Kezele (Caroline) of Yakima and sister Olga Naasz of Tieton. Matt’s father emigrated from Yugoslavia in the early 1900’s. He was a coal miner in Roslyn for a time, purchased acreage and became an orchardist/farmer on Naches Heights. Matt was born and followed suit. He worked the orchard until 1996; then worked at Cowiche Growers before retiring. His greatest passion was listening and dancing to accordion music with his sweetheart, Niva (Honey). His dad, brother Rudy and he also played the accordion. His favorite hobby was cutting firewood in the mountains. He enjoyed camping, boating, water skiing, and family gatherings. Niva was a homemaker and also packed apples for Griffith/Sugarman warehouse in Tieton. Her passion was praising the Lord and singing in the choir. She enjoyed the mountains helping Matt gather wood. They vacationed in Hawaii many times. Matt and Niva met at the Malt Shop in Yakima in 1951 where Niva was employed. It was love at first sight and they wed on May 20, 1952 in Union Gap. On June 16, 1952, Matt went to serve his country for two years becoming a Corporal in the Korean War and was Honorably Discharged. They remained married for almost 65 years when the Lord called them home. They will rest together forever at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington with their beloved son, Randy. Niva is “Soaring with the Angels” and Matt says, “Come Fly with Me”. A Memorial will be held Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at Yakima Seventh-day Adventist Church, 507 N. 35th Ave. at 2:00 p.m. A meal will be provided following. In lieu of flowers, donations will gladly be accepted and go to caring for and finding homes for the animals on their property. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Niva Kezele, please visit our flower store.