Marjorie Virginia Kumpula

In Loving Memory of Marjorie Virginia Kumpula (Gross)

 December 28, 1929 – July 17, 2025 | Amboy, WA

Today, our hearts are heavy with love and sorrow as we say goodbye to “Puddy”—the farm girl with dirt under her nails and family in her soul; the mother, grandmother, and sister who wove “love” into every thread of her life. On Thursday, July 17, 2025, Marjorie Virginia Gross passed away peacefully at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, surrounded by the family she cherished most. At 95, she left this world as she lived: wrapped in warmth, wisdom, and the quiet strength of a life well-lived.

A Life Rooted in Love, Tended with Care  Born at home on December 28, 1929, in Portland, Oregon, to Glenn and Marguerite Gross, Puddy moved to Battle Ground, Washington, at just three years old. There, she grew up breathing in the fresh scent of hay and the rhythm of farm life—a world that would shape her forever. She graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1948, carrying with her the values of hard work, humility, and an unshakable connection to the land.

In 1963, she met Don Kumpula—the man who would become her partner for 42 years. They married on January 4, 1964, and by 1970, they’d settled on their beloved farm near Fargher Lake, where they raised beef cattle, tended timber, and raised two sons: Don Jr. and Dan. (Son, Darwin grew up in Colorado with his mother. They grew close in later years.)

Puddy wasn’t just a homemaker—she was the heart of the farm. She planted gardens, baled hay, milked cows, and worked tirelessly to make sure her family never went without. After her mother’s passing, she stepped in to raise and guide her younger sisters, pouring her own brand of gentle, unwavering care into their lives.

Her Joys: Small Things, Big Love  To friends, she was Marge—a steady, kind presence. To family, she was Puddy—a woman who loved fiercely, laughed loudly, and never shied away from a good debate (especially during Seattle Mariners games!).

Her passions were simple, but they lit up her world:

Baseball: A die-hard Mariners fan, she’d cheer (and scold anyone who called mid-game!) at the Kingdome and T-Mobile Park.

Basketball: She rooted for the Trail Blazers with the same fire.

Crosswords: A sharp mind and a pencil kept her entertained for hours.

TV: Doc Martin, Midsomer Murders, and Law & Order were her go-tos. But above all, she loved family. From raising her boys to welcoming grandkids and great-grandkids, Puddy’s home was always warm—filled with cookies, stories, and the kind of love that felt like a hug.

A Final Chapter, A Celebration of Her Life  We invite you to join us in celebrating Puddy’s extraordinary life on:

Friday, August 22, 2025 | 1:00 PM

Layne’s Funeral Home

16 NE Clark Ave, Battle Ground, WA 98604

Dress Code: Wear your Seattle Mariners gear (Puddy would beam!)

Or red—her favorite color, a symbol of the warmth she brought to every room.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: North Country EMS PO Box 189, Yacolt, WA 98675

Those Who Went Before, Those Who Carry On                                                                                                                                                Puddy was preceded in death by her husband Donald Kumpula; parents, Glenn and Marguerite Gross; brothers Donald, Russell, Robert, and William Gross; and sister MaryEllen Cleasby.

She is survived by: 

Sons: Don Jr. (Lacey), Daniel & Karen (LaCenter), Darwin & Wendi (Sheridan, OR) Grandchildren: Sara Johnson, Kate Ventura Great-grandchildren: Madelyn Ventura, Winnie Johnson, Odette Johnson Sister: Lynelle Kumpula (Sequim) Sister-in-law: Barbara Hagedorn (Yacolt)

The Story Continues                                                                                                                                                                                          Puddy’s life was a testament to love, hard work, and the power of family. She’s gone, but her spirit lives on—in every garden she planted, every meal she cooked, and every story she shared.

Come celebrate her life with us: Bring your memories, your Mariners cap, and your reddest shirt. Let’s honor Puddy the way she deserves—with love, laughter, and a little bit of that farm-girl grit she wore so well.

With all our love,                                                                                                                                                                                                       The Kumpula Family