The Oregon Association of Nurseries is saddened to report the passing of Kathie Femrite, a former OAN president. She passed away peacefully at her home in Woodburn on September 24, 2023 at age 74.

Femrite was born in Lincoln, Nebraska but grew up in Portland, Oregon.  She spent three years at St. Mary’s Academy in Portland, and graduated from Madison High School, also in Portland.

 She is survived by her husband Douglas, son Robert and his wife Rachel, and their daughters Brianna, Bailey, Olivia and Ava; and son Thomas and his wife Maria, and daughter Kayla.  

 Femrite and her husband owned Femrite Nursery in Aurora, Oregon, where they grew bareroot shade and flowering trees and select grafted conifers and sold them wholesale.

 She was selected as Young Nursery Person of the year in 1982 and she served as president of the Oregon Association of Nurseries in 1992.  Femrite was instrumental in the development of The Oregon Garden in Silverton. Femrite and her husband are also OAN Honorary Life members.

  She enjoyed spending time with her granddaughters as well as cooking and baking.