Ellensburg Washington

Springer, Laura Harrell – Obituary

Mrs. Laura M. Springer, 68, died at the Ellensburg General Hospital Sunday [May 7, 1961]of a heart attack. Laura Harrell was born Nov. 2, 1892 in Hawkins County, Tenn. and came here with her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas A. Harrell in 1909. She was married to Frank Springer in Ellensburg shortly after. They farmed on the West Side until 1936 and for the past 25 years. Mrs. Springer has lived at 301 South Sprague Street. Mr. Springer preceded her in death in February 1948. She was a member of the First Christian Church and the Women’s Welcome … Read more

Sisk, Gladys Morrison – Obituary

Gladys B. Sisk, 84, a lifetime resident passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 1994 at Lakeridge Care Center of Moses Lake, Washington. She was born on August 9, 1909 in Ellensburg, the only daughter of pioneer parents Tom and Lillie (Ferguson) Morrison. Gladys attended Kittitas schools and was on all the girls athletic teams-basketball, baseball, tennis, etc. After graduation in 1928, she enrolled in Success Business College in Seattle. After 7 months at school, she was called home to take care of her ill mother. September 16, 1929 Gladys married Clarence C. (Irish) Sisk and they made their home in … Read more

Zelten, Bessie Pedersen – Obituary

Mrs. Walter Zelten, 77, of 1001 E. 32nd St., died Wednesday [February 4, 1981]. Mrs. Zelten was born in Ellensburg and moved to Tacoma in 1942. Survivors include a son, Walter, Jr. of Tacoma; a daughter, Mrs. Irene Aylett of Tacoma; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Henry of Tigard, Ore., and Mrs. Louise Durland of Portland; four grandchildren and a great grandchild. Buckley-King at Brookside is in charge. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Montgomery, James M. – Obituary

Following a brief illness J. M. Montgomery, one of Kittitas Valley’s oldest residents died at the Ellensburg General Hospital Friday afternoon [October 29, 1937]. Mr. Montgomery was born at Scio, Linn County, Oregon, June 30, 1852. Until 1881 he lived with his family in Salinas, Calif., when he moved to Kittitas County where he lived the remainder of his 56 years. Besides owning a farm in the Broadview District where he has made a home since 1881 he operated a freighting line from various supply points until the railroad was built into this section in 1886. He is survived by … Read more

Wheeler, Annie Montgomery – Obituary

Annie M. Wheeler Pioneer, Passes; Death Comes To Valley Resident of Past 65 Years Mrs. Annie Montgomery Wheeler, 82, a Kittitas valley resident 65 years and one of he valley’s oldest remaining pioneers, died here last night following an illness of six weeks [died April 26, 1945]. Mrs. Wheeler had not been in good health, for several years. However, she survived a fall five years ago in which she suffered fractures of both hips, learning to walk again. Mrs. Wheeler was born near St. Helena in Napa county, California, March 27, 1863. She made her home there with her parents, … Read more

Michels, Frank – Obituary

Frank Michels, 83, member of a Kittitas Valley pioneer family, died here this morning [March 27, 1951] about 6:30 a.m. at the Airway Nursing Home. Michels was born at Shakopee, Minnesota., October 10, 1868 and came to the Ellensburg area at the age of 15, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Michels in 1882. In 1892 here he was married to Mary O’Brien. She died in 1924 and three years later Michels was married to Vera Johnson. The marriage took place at Ephrata, although both resided here. During a 20 year period, until three years ago, Mr. and Mrs. … Read more

Pickup, Cleora Lester – Obituary

Lifelong Ellensburg resident, Cleora L. Pickup, 81, passed away Saturday, August 13, 1994 at Royal Vista Care Center. She was born on November 6, 1912 in St. Maries, Idaho to Edward V. and Ada C. (Rich) Cooke. Cleora was married to Roland H. Pickup on November 5, 1934 in Yakima, WA [May 5, 1932]. He preceded her in death in 1973. After raising their three children, Cleora obtained her drivers license and attended CWSC studying in Home Economics. She was proved a livelihood by her joys in quilting and sewing. She owned and operated her own quilting shop located in … Read more

Biography of Charles A. Splawn

CHARLES A. SPLAWN. – This veteran of Indian wars was born in Clay County, Missouri, in 1831. He went from there to Davis County, near Galiton, and was there during the Mormon trouble. His mother, in the absence of his father, was compelled to leave her home by the “saints” who threatened to burn the house over her head if she remained another night. In 1844 he moved with his father’s family to Hold county, and in 1851 crossed the plains to Oregon. After reaching this territory he became alternately trader, miner and packer, until in 1853 he joined the … Read more

Burgess, Eliza Ann Horn – Obituary

Services for Mrs. Eliza A. Burgess, 66, Vale resident for the past 35 years who died in her home Sunday [January 7, 1968], was at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Chapel of the Roses at Payette, with Elder Harry Sunday Fry of Payette Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints officiating. Mrs. Burgess was born in Ellensburg, Wash., Oct. 16, 1901. In 1915 she moved with her family to Oregon, settling in Curry County. She was married to Fred Burgess, December 19, 1922 in Coquille, Ore. They lived in Curry County 11 years and came to Vale in 1933. They … Read more

Indermuhle, Estelle Montgomery Thompson – Obituary

Funeral services for Mrs. Estelle Elizabeth (Betty) Indermuhle, 77, of 700 S. Chestnut St., will be held in the Evenson Chapel at 2 p.m. Monday with the Rev. Silas Erickson officiating. Mrs. Indermuhle died Wednesday night [April 14, 1965] at the Community Hospital. Burial will be in the IOOF Cemetery. Betty Montgomery was born May 18, 1887 in Centralia and was married to Sam Indermuhle in 1936 in Ritzville. They farmed in the Badger Pocket District until moving to town last year. Survivors include her husband at the family home, three sons, Perry Thompson, Portland, Boyce Thompson, Castle Rock, and … Read more

Covey, Harry Ovando – Obituary

Harry O. Covey, 83, of Cle Elum, died Monday, Dec. 24, 1990, at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital, in Ellensburg. He was born March 1, 1907, in Ovando, Mont., a son of Harry and Bertha (Paye) Covey. He lived for 10 years in Canada, where he delivered mail by dog team under contract with the Canadian postal service. For the past 51 years he had lived in the Cle Elum area, where he was a mink rancher. He was a member of the Swauk-Teanaway Grange. He and Rosa Mae Zumbrunnen were married in Ellensburg on Jan. 1, 1938. Survivors, in addition … Read more

Indermuhle, Martin – Obituary

Martin Indermuhle, 89, of 411 So. Pearl St. died Tuesday May 12, 1981 in Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. He was born in Ellensburg, Sept. 22, 1891, a son of Christian and Susan (Zumbrunnen) Indermuhle. He and Hazel Hayes were married in Ellensburg, March 24, 1917. They farmed in Gooding and Meridian, Idaho from 1917 to 1931 when they returned to the Kittitas Valley. They farmed in the East Kittitas District until retirement in 1964 when they moved to Ellensburg. Survivors, in addition to his wife, include two sons, Marvin, of Beavercreek, Ore., and Merlin, of Kittitas; a daughter, Ellen Leader, … Read more

Barnhart, Olive A. Brisson – Obituary

Mrs. Olive A. Barnhart, former Ellensburg resident, died Tuesday, Jan. 24 [1961] at the home of her son Fred G. Barnhart in San Diego, Calif., at the age of 76 years. Mrs. Barnhart was born August 15, 1884 in Flint, Mich., and was married to P. Fred Barnhart in Wenatchee, June 1903. Following their marriage they moved to Ellensburg where he farmed for several years in the Fairview District before moving into town when Mr. Barnhart began working for the N. P. Railway. In 1917 they were moved to Pasco by the railroad and Mrs. Barnhart lived there until 1952, … Read more

Charlton, Glenn Carmi – Obituary

Glenn C. Charlton native Kittitas Valley resident died July 2 [1961], at the age of 60 at Eastern State Hospital. Charlton was born Aug. 13, 1900 in Ellensburg and attended the No. 18 Nanum Grade School and graduated from Ellensburg High School. In 1926 he graduated from Washington State College School of Agriculture. He served for 29 years with the Forest Service. He first was in the Umatilla National Forest and after two years was transferred to the Wenatchee National Forest where he served until 1935 when he was transferred to Willamette National Forest in the Detroit District. In 1942 … Read more

Durland, Louise Serene Pedersen – Obituary

A private service will be Thursday in Willamette National Cemetery for Louise Serene Durland of Southeast Portland. Mrs. Durland died Sunday [November 25] in a Portland hospital of causes related to age. She was 89. She was born Jan. 26, 1901, in Ellensburg, Wash. Her maiden name was Pedersen. She had lived in the Portland area since 1934 and married Coe Irving Durland, who died in 1960. Mrs. Durland was a homemaker. Survivors include her sons, Richard of Portland and Peter of Chula Vista, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The family suggests that remembrances be contributions to the Salvation … Read more

Schnebly, Philip Dorse – Obituary

Philip Dorse Schnebly, 84, longtime Fairview District rancher and member of a pioneer Kittitas Valley family, died Wednesday [April 17, 1968] in Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. He was born July 19, 1883, in the Fairview District, the son of pioneer residents, Mr. and Mrs. Philip Henry Schnebly. He attended the Fairview and Nanum grade schools, a prep school in Ellensburg and continued his studies at Washington State College. On June 19, 1919 in Bellingham, Mr. Schnebly was married to Gertrude Mosier, who preceded him in death on Jan. 22, 1953. He had operated and resided on his Fairview ranch the … Read more

Dixon, Elwood J. – Obituary

Resident Here Since 1882, Former Mail Carrier Dies Sunday. Death came to another pioneer resident of the Kittitas valley here Sunday when Elwood J. Dixon, 82, died at the Ellensburg General hospital following a major operation [died May 9, 1937]. A resident of this valley since 1882, and one of the earliest rural mail carriers here, Mr. Dixon was widely known throughout this section. He was born in Fulton County, Illinois, on October 3, 1854 and came west to Vancouver, W., with his parents [John Wesley Dixon and Sarah E. Smith] when he was 24 years old. The family came … Read more

Phelps, Bessie McEwen – Obituary

Bessie L. Phelps, 87, lifetime Ellensburg area resident, died Monday [November 8, 1976] at a local nursing home. She was born in Ellensburg, Sept. 15, 1889, a daughter of the late James E. and Elizabeth McEwen Ferguson. She attended Dysart School No. 5 in the Fairview district. She and Odie N. Phelps, were married in 1914 (correct date was August 30, 1911) and they operated the Palm Café and Candy Store on Pearl Street for a number of years in partnership with the late Dan Bates. The Phelps lived in Lewiston, Ida. And Portland, Ore. For a time during the … Read more

Swearingen, Vernise Augustus – Obituary

Vernise A. Swearingen, 43, former Ellensburg resident, died Friday in a Tacoma Hospital from injuries received earlier last week in an accident at the Seattle-Tacoma shipyards where he was employed as a rigger. Plant officials reported that he was crushed while unloading steel plates when he slacked off on a safety line too soon and the plates tipped over on him. A veteran of World War I, Swearingen had enlisted for service in this war WWII, but was discharged because of a physical disability. He was awarded the Silver Star, Order of the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, and … Read more

Seaton, Ruth Z. Wallace – Obituary

Mrs. James Seaton, Sr., 54, a widely known Kittitas Valley resident, died at 10 o’clock Monday morning [June 2, 1952] at the Ellensburg General Hospital after a long illness. She had been hospitalized for the past six weeks. Mrs. Seaton was born Sept. 24, 1897, in Mt. Carmel, Illinois. She came to the Kittitas Valley in 1902 and had lived here since. She was married to James Seaton July 5, 1924 [Tacoma, WA]. They had lived in Fairview District since their marriage. Mrs. Seaton was a member of Miriam Rebekah Lodge, Chapter 105 of the Order of Eastern Star the … Read more