Kum Soon Zaharias' Obituary
Kum Soon Zaharias (Kum Soon Yim), our beloved matriarch, went to heaven on January 11, 2017 to be with our Lord and Savior. She was born in Suwon, South Korean in 1936 where her family had a farm with a beautiful chestnut tree orchard. She grew up during the wars and survived the burning of her beloved orchard and the foreign occupation. She then married and traveled serving as a military housewife and mother. She came to the United States in 1959 and proudly became a United States citizen on May 1,1967. Her husband retired in Tacoma, Washington in 1971 and she and her family remained in the area. Kum Soon was a devoted Christian who loved Jesus and led her family in faith and love. Kum Soon’s love encouraged her to share God’s words with anyone she met. She carried pamphlets with God’s message in her purse to give to those in need. She was a dedicated mother who surrounded her family with so much love that her children and their children will always be blessed with a love bond that can never be broken.
Kum Soon is survived by her three daughters, Cindy Lou Haugan, Judy Ann Ly and Lisa Jane Ketelsen and their spouses Eric, Duc and Scott, respectively. She has nine grandchildren; Audra Johnson, Dan Johnson, Kimberly Boyd, Tahraya Johnson, Jerath Johnson, Kevin Ly, John Ly, Jared Ketelsen and Jewelliette Ketelsen. She has four great grandchildren; Khavi Phan, Rhaziaha Johnson, Jhamellah Johnson and Kimberly Johnson. As the head of our family, Kum Soon was instrumental in the upbringing of her children and their children. She rejoiced during each success and encouraged all during hardships and struggles. Each day she prayed for blessings, love and safety for her family. Many times her prayers manifested God’s protection and blessings into the lives of her family. Her family surrounded her in her last days on earth and rejoices with her at her entrance to heaven.
Kum Soon was blessed to sponsor and bring her beloved brother In Sung Yim to America. Her brother is also in heaven but he had left her with the love of her sister in law, Yon Ki Yim and her nieces and nephews Yong Man Yim, Hyo Man Yim, Song Man Yim, Yong Sooni Park and Kyong Ja Robinson . And their children; Hooney Park, John Yim, Daniel Yim, Micah Yim, Ivana Rotari, Zaneta Robinson, Esther Han, Mary Yim, Grace Yim, and Anthony Yim. We rejoice that Kum Soon is now reunited with her brother In Sung and her mother Kum Hwa Lee in heaven.
Kum Soon is survived in Korea by her sister In Soon and her many nieces and nephews. Kum Soon is the youngest of her deceased brothers and sisters who had remained in Korea and with whom she has also joined in heaven.
What’s your fondest memory of Kum?
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