Nat Kowbel

NAT KOWBEL

August 16, 1935 – April 4, 2017

Nat Kowbel, 81, passed away quietly at his home in Rochester, Tuesday afternoon April 4, 2017.  He was born to Alexander and Annie Kowbel on the family farm in Keliher, Saskatchewan, Canada on August 16, 1935.  Nat’s family relocated to Nanaimo, B.C. in 1947.  After graduation from high school in 1953 he went to Lake Cowichan, B.C. and logged with his brother Mac.  He was a logger in B.C. for 7 years.

In July 1960 he met Georgia Cashato who was vacationing with her family in Nanaimo.  They were married on February 14, 1961.  He applied for papers to move to the States and settled in Portland, OR in July 1961.  They had 3 girls, Natalie, Laurie, and Nadine.  He worked at various jobs until he got hired on with Pacific Power & Light in the Steam Plant in 1962.  He was transferred (by request) to Centralia Steam Plant in 1971.  He retired from there as Warehouse Storekeeper in 1995.

Nat & Georgia enjoyed taking trips in their motorhome for over 30 years until Nat’s declining health prevented it.  They enjoyed camping and special times with their children and grandchildren.  Highlights of their travels include motorhome trips of 2 months to Alaska and 2 months on the Baja with friends.  Nat enjoyed gardening and always had a huge garden.

Nat was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Mac, Emil, John, and Sister Rose.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years Georgia, daughters; Natalie Burden (Don), Laurie Kowbel, Nadine Rich (Dan), grandchildren; Renee Sinclair (Chris), Aaron Burden, Janelle Rich, Forrest Cook, great granddaughter Chrystal Sinclair, Sisters Stella Forsythe, Marcella Bunyan, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Nat was genuinely light hearted and fun loving with a contagious sense of humor and was an instigator in all things.  He was much loved and will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Funeral Service on April 16, 2017 at 1:00 pm (Viewing at 10:00 am to 12:00) at

Newell-Hoerling’s Mortuary

205 W. Pine St., Centralia, WA

Reception to follow funeral service on April 16 at Centralia Train Depot (Reception room)

Burial: Monday April 17, 2017 at 10:00 am at Grand Mound Cemetery

 Service Information