Remembering the recently deceased in the Archdiocese of Seattle.


Father Paul A. Kaech


SHELTON — Father Paul Allen Kaech, pastor of St. Edward Parish in Shelton, died unexpectedly Oct. 2, 2023, at his home in Shelton. He was 59.

Born Feb. 8, 1964, in Chehalis, he was the youngest of Edward and Louise Kaech’s seven children.

He grew up in Frances, Washington, on a small family farm, attending Lebam Elementary School and Willapa Valley High School in nearby Menlo. As a youngster, he took accordion lessons, served as an altar boy and said his prayers before bed every night. He also suffered with epilepsy, a condition that abruptly resolved after he was ordained a priest — something he attributed to God as a miracle.

He was always interested in his family’s history and Swiss heritage. He liked to talk and gather stories from all generations of the family, and enjoyed family traditions such as wrestling, hunting and artifact collecting. After high school, he spent a year working in Switzerland; upon returning home, he worked as a logger before enrolling in college in 1992. He earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a minor in anthropology. 

Although planted in his heart at a young age, his vocation to the priesthood blossomed when he decided to work as a counselor at a juvenile detention facility shortly after college graduation. Experiencing the harshness and violence of those in detention made him realize he could best apply his skills and desire for others’ freedom as a priest — a peaceful way to get the Lord’s word heard.

After exploring the possibility of joining a religious order, he became a seminarian of the Archdiocese of Seattle; in 2000 he entered St. John Seminary in Camarillo, California. He was ordained along with six other men on June 10, 2006, by Archbishop Alex J. Brunett at St. James Cathedral.

Father Kaech’s first assignment was as a parochial vicar at St. Edward, St. George and St. Paul parishes in Seattle. Next, he was assigned as priest administrator, then pastor of his hometown Pacific County Catholic Parishes, including St. Lawrence in Raymond and St. Mary in Seaview. In 2017, he was appointed pastor of St. Edward Parish. His siblings said Father Kaech was at his happiest during the last few years, which they largely attribute to his loving parish family at St. Edward.

Father Kaech enjoyed engaging with others, which made him an effective priest. He is remembered for his love of healing ministry, the Hispanic and Guatemalan communities he served, children with special needs and those on the margins of society.

He had a “wonderfully loud preaching style.” Family life, especially his parents’ loving marriage, provided material for homilies about marriage, love, forgiveness and faith, as well as God’s faithfulness to his people.

He continued his priestly formation through workshops, conferences, Encounter School of Ministry and leadership and administration programs, serving as a role model for other priests. He never missed a gathering of his brother priests, often being one of the first to arrive and the last to leave.

Father Kaech was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Bill.

He is survived by his brothers Ed (Kristy) and Steve (Kristi); sisters Debbie (Todd) Clements, Janet Kaech and Elise Karniss; nine nephews, five nieces and numerous great-nephews and great-nieces.

A vigil service is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 9 at St. Edward Church in Shelton, with Father Ron Belisle presiding and Father David Mayovsky preaching.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Oct. 10 at St. Edward Church, with Bishop Frank Schuster presiding and Father Tim Ilgen preaching. A reception in the parish hall will follow the Mass.

A committal service is scheduled Oct. 10 about 2:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Holy Family Church in Frances, with Deacon Jim Carney presiding. A reception at Swiss Hall will follow.

A memorial Mass in Spanish will be celebrated at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 at St. Edward Church, with Father Milhton Scarpetta presiding.

Condolences can be sent to Father Kaech’s brother, Ed Kaech, at P.O. Box 213, Menlo, WA 98561.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let Your perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithful departed, rest in peace.

As a free service to the Catholic community, Northwest Catholic posts online the obituaries of Catholics whose funerals are held in parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle or at Catholic cemeteries in the archdiocese. Submit an obituary here.