Marie Evelyn Kuchenbecker

Marie E. Kuchenbecker 104, a lifetime resident of Visalia, passed away on August13, 2023. Marie was born on January 24, 1919 to William T. and Will Ida (Davidson) Runyon of Visalia. Her family lived on the old Togni Ranch on the Dinuba Highway prior to moving to Ivanhoe in 1930. Marie attended Carrie Barnett, Webster and Ivanhoe Schools and graduated in 1936 from Visalia Union High School. She enrolled in Visalia Junior College prior to starting her business career. In 1942, she met and married William T. Kuchenbecker. They were married on June 9, 1942. After Bill's stint in the service, they built their home on the corner of Tulare Avenue and Sowell Street in Visalia. They were blessed with two daughters, Kay Burks and Kristine Wassermann, both of Visalia. William passed away in 2004. Marie was a member of First Christian Church and was a regular attender of Gateway Church formerly known as First Baptist Church in Visalia. She was also a church volunteer. Marie worked most of her adult life in the Visalia School system and retired in 1987 from College of the Sequoias. Marie was a past member of Business & Professional Women's Club and Rebecca Lodge. She loved her sports and especially loved watching the San Francisco Giants baseball team. In addition to her parents, Marie was predeceased by her husband of 62 years in 2004, her brothers Harry, Ormal and Clyde Runyon and two sisters Gladys Belmont and Bernice Switzer. She is survived by her two daughters, Kay Burks and her husband Wayne and Kristine Wassermann, her grandchildren Kevin Burks and his wife Melissa and Kimberly Burks, her two great grandsons Aiden and Jaxon and her brothers Tom Runyon, Dwayne Runyon and Jerry Runyon and their families. The family wishes to thank Prestige Assisted Living and Expressions, Visalia for all their loving care they gave her for the last sixteen years and McKinzie, Anna, Lettie, Nicole, Lydia and Pastor Maylor Amaya of Infinite Hearts Hospice for all their loving care. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Gateway Church Building Fund or their favorite donor. Viewing will be held 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Monday, August 28th, 2023 at Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel, 127 E. Caldwell Ave., Visalia. Funeral services will follow at10:00 AM. The family invites you to the luncheon reception at Prestige Assisted Living at 3120 W. Caldwell Ave. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Funeral Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Marie Evelyn Kuchenbecker

January 24, 1919 - August 13, 2023