By SUE RYAN
News staff writer
December 3, 2007

Emerald green wreaths sit stacked in piles awaiting ruby red bows outside Kathy Stutters’ garage.

The Cascade Locks woman creates wreaths, swags and other greenery during the holiday season as a part-time vocation. Her business is called Kathryn’s Winter Wonders.

But the real story behind her work lies in the strength of family spirit and love through generations.

Joy shone in her face when grandson Kyle Prowett arrived home from school Tuesday. After she motioned to him to join her for the picture and they hugged, Kathy explained:

“This is why I do it — because of them,” she said.

Kyle now helps his grandma with the wreath-making business as does his younger brother, Tyler. They followed in the footsteps of Kathy’s family including her mom, brother, son, daughter and niece.

“It gave us all something to do during the winter months, as well as extra money,” she said.

Kathy began making the wreaths due in part to a family connection. While she grew up in Cascade Locks, her family’s roots stretch back to Sweden. Her grandfather, August “Gus” Olson, homesteaded a dairy farm in the Dole Valley near the Lewis River in Washington. When he was ready to retire, he called on Kathy for help.

“He said ‘I’m tired; you do something with it now,’” she said.

So Kathy and her husband, Jim, began farming trees there in the mid-1980s while still living in Cascade Locks. When it came time to trim the trees, she wanted to do something with the leftover boughs.

“We fashioned a couple of wreaths and took them to Oliver and Thompsons (a store),” Kathy said.

To their surprise, the merchant ordered 500 wreaths. They sold to stores, door to door and eventually bought a mail order list. In 1994, Kathy nearly gave up making the wreaths.

Grandson Tyler, then an infant, needed a liver transplant. At the same time, her brother, Buddy Tiller, died from cancer. Kathy said the double blow was too much.

“It just took the wind out of our sails. It was my customers who kept me going; they were so encouraging and kind,” she said.

Kathy described Buddy as more than a brother, and how they were particularly close because their father died while they were very young.

He was the oldest. She was second in the family lineup. They helped their single mother, Anne Tiller, raise their siblings. Her mom managed to provide for them on a waitress’ salary. She also taught her children to persevere and be innovative.

“It was a hard time and money was more than scarce. My younger sisters were worried about what others would say if we didn’t have any presents under our tree,” Stutters said.

After a family meeting, the siblings used old wrapping paper saved from previous years and wrapped up things around the house to put under the tree.

“We all laughed and had a good time,” Kathy said. “It’s my favorite memory of Christmas.”

Stutters drew on those family lessons of strength to continue her wreath making and raise money so Tyler could have the operation. Stutters also marks the holidays in memory of her family connection.

“I put a wreath on Buddy’s grave every year as a closure to the season,” she said.