Ellensburg Washington

Ferguson, Lula D. – Obituary

Lulu D. ‘Lu’ Ferguson, 81, of Selah died Tuesday July 3, 1984 in St. Elizabeth Medical Center. She was born Nov. 12, 1902, in Surgoinsville, Tenn., but was raised and educated in Ellensburg. Mrs. Ferguson graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1921. She married Lester J. Ferguson in 1924 in Prosser. In 1932, the couple moved to Yakima, where Mrs. Ferguson worked as a bookkeeper for several years. In 1965, the family moved to Lynnwood, but returned to Yakima in 1978. Mrs. Ferguson was a past president of the Yakima and Edalyn business and Professional Women’s Clubs. She is survived … Read more

Rogers, William Spencer – Obituary

Another pioneer has been laid away beneath the sod, W. S. Rogers died Thursday, February 9th at 4 o’clock a.m. after a lingering illness covering a period of 15 years. The funeral took place from the Baptist Church, Sunday at 11 a.m., the funeral eulogy being delivered by Reverend M. H. Yager, Pastor. Mr. Rogers was born in Alabama, September 7th, 1840. From his native state he moved to Texas and lived there several years prior to moving to this valley in 1886. He settled on a claim on the Nanum which he sold 10 years ago and moved to … Read more

McEwen, Martha Grewell – Obituary

Old Pioneer of Valley dies at Toppenish. Mrs. Martha McEwen passes away after lingering illness of several months. Mrs. Martha Grewell McEwen, an old pioneer of this vicinity, passed away at Toppenish Sunday morning at 7 o’clock after a lingering illness which confined her to her bed for the past several months [died December 22, 1918] Mrs. McEwen was born February 22, 1860, in Iowa, and three years later crossed the prairies in an ox team with her parents, settling at Vancouver, Wash. When she was 13 years old she moved to this vicinity where she has since made her … Read more

McGranahan, Thomas H. – Obituary

Death came peacefully this afternoon [April 14, 1928] to Thomas H. McGranahan, retired Ellensburg business man, who was stricken with an acute heart attack last Monday night. His health, however, had been poor for the last year or two, especially since the death of Mrs. McGranahan a year ago.. Mr. McGranahan, who was born in Jamestown, PA., April 11, 1852, had resided in Ellensburg since 1901, and formerly was associated with A. C. Butler in the grocery business here. Prior to that he was proprietor of a bank and general merchandise store at Delta, Colorado. The funeral services will be … Read more

Thomson, Colin P. – Obituary

Death Comes To Colin P. Thomson Colin Petrie Thomson, 58, logger, died at the Ellensburg General hospital last night after an illness of several months [May 4, 1944]. He lived at the Webster hotel. He was born at Ottawa, Canada, May 11, 1885. He is survived by two brothers, James H. of Renton and George of Edmonton, Canada, and a sister, Mrs. Maggie Klock of Ottawa. Funeral services will be held Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock at the Honeycutt chapel. Burial will be in the I.O.O.F. cemetery. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

McEwen, Carl Lester – Obituary

Toppenish—Carl Lester McEwen, 85, of Toppenish, died Sunday, January 31, 1988 at the St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Yakima. Carl was born on April 3, 1902 in Ellensburg, Wash., the son of Harvey an Martha (Grewell) McEwen. Mr. McEwen attended schools in Toppenish, coming to the Valley in 1910. He worked for the Wheeler Electric Co. until 1936 at which time he joined the Yakima Sheriff’s Department and worked for the County until 1939. After leaving the Sheriff’s Department he went to work for Wheeler Electric again and moved to Seattle, where he worked for the Boeing Company and also … Read more

Wippel, Leo F. – Obituary

Leo F. Wippel, 43-year-old native of Ellensburg, died Tuesday [January 18] at his home in Woldale District, apparently the victim of a heart attack. He was the second member of the same family to be taken by death this month. His father, Simon Wippel, died on January 10. Wippel was found dead in his home by his sisters who had been attending the funeral of Thomas Keeley in the Catholic church that morning. Wippel was born September 9, 1904 in Ellensburg. He was a member of the Catholic Church. He is survived by his sisters, Miss Louise Wippel and Mrs. … Read more

Smathers, Leone Wright – Obituary

Mrs. Leone Smathers, 46, of Omak, former Ellensburg resident, died Wednesday [June 24, 1942] following an operation at Rochester, Minnesota, according to word received here. Funeral services will be held at the Honeycutt chapel here Monday afternoon, June 29, at 1:30 o’clock. Rev. Joseph Greene of the Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will be in the IOOF cemetery. Wife of Lee Smathers, Mrs. Smathers lived in Ellensburg for many years until the family moved to Omak six years ago. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two sisters, Mrs. George Ferguson of Ellensburg and Mrs. Helen La Fan … Read more

Bates, George Edward – Obituary

George Edward Bates, brother-in-law to Mrs. Leta Bates, Ellensburg, died July 4 [1969] in Coeur d’Alene, Ida. A resident of Spokane for the last 40 years, he is also survived by his wife, Mabel Bates; 3 sisters, Mrs. Joy Gage, Mrs. Murrel Baird both of Yakima; and Mrs. Ruth Cole, Long Beach, Calif. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Ferguson, Benjamin Franklin – Obituary

Benjamin Franklin Ferguson, 93, a lifetime resident of the Ferguson Road are east of Ellensburg, died Saturday at a local nursing home. He was born July 14, 1886, a son of the late James and Elizabeth Ferguson, who settled in the area in 1872. They came here from Shelton. He attended Dysart Rural School No. 5. He and Nora Wyatt were married March 4, 1912. She preceded him in death Jan. 23, 1968. He retired from active farming in 1977. He had been affiliated with the Baptist Church. He is survived by a son, Bud Ferguson, and two daughters, Gwendolyn … Read more

Prater, Wendell Weaver – Obituary

Wendell W. Prater, 74, of Ellensburg, died Thursday at his home following an extended illness. He was born March 11, 1913, at the family home near Ellensburg on land he has continued to farm throughout his life. He was the oldest of the three children of Cordy and Velma Ann (Weaver) Prater. Prater was graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1930 and from Washington State College in 1936 with a degree in agricultural engineering. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Ellensburg, a lay member of the First Methodist Church Conference and was a member of … Read more

Michels, Martin – Obituary

Martin Michels, Sr., aged 80 years and a pioneer citizen of Ellensburg, died yesterday [February 14, 1917] at his home north of the city after an illness of several years. Pending the arrival of a son, J. J. Michels, from the east, funeral arrangements will not be announced until Friday. Mr. Michels was born May 2, 1837, in Germany, and came to the United States in 1855. He was married at Aurora, Ill, September, 1859, to Miss Margaret Lenhartz, and later with his family removed to St. James, Minnesota, in 1871. In 1882 Mr. Michels came to the Kittitas Valley, … Read more

Stillwell, Ira – Obituary

Ira Stillwell Dies In General Hospital Ira Stillwell died Thursday afternoon at 12:30 at the Ellensburg hospital, following an illness of several week’s duration. In an attempt to save his life a blood transfusion was made Tuesday but he failed to rally. Mr. Stillwell was born may 17, 1887 in Bowen, Illinois, and came to Ellensburg in January, 1903. He became an employe of the Northern Pacific railroad, April 23, 1908 and worked as a wiper until August 3, 1908, when he was promoted to fireman. He became a locomotive engineer March 18, 1918 and had been employed as a … Read more

Grunden, Elof Arnson – Obituary

Elof A. Grunden, 75 years old and a resident of Ellensburg for nearly 50 years, passed away at his home here early Sunday morning February 11, 1934. Born in Norway, June 24, 1858, Mr. Grunden came to this county as a young man and had resided in this city much of the time since. In addition to his widow, Selma, he is survived by three daughters Mrs. Grant Nichols of Ellensburg, Mrs. Donald Dale of Portland, and Mrs. Elmer Tyson of Seattle, and by three sons, John of Toppenish and Alfred and Glenn of Ellensburg. Funeral services are to be … Read more

Nicol, Robert W. – Obituary

Robert W. Nicol, 93, former Ellensburg resident and Wilson Creek area farmer, died Thursday in Yakima. Funeral services will be Monday, 2 P.M., at Evenson’s Chapel. A complete obituary will appear in a later edition. Nicol, Robert W. Robert W. Nicol, 93 former Ellensburg resident and Wilson Creek farmer, died Thursday, June 07, 1973 in Yakima, where he had lived for the past three years. He was born in Scotland, Feb. 1, 1880, and came to the United States in 1900. In 1901 he settled in the Colockum area where he homesteaded for many years and ran wild horses. He … Read more

Harris, William T. – Obituary

The funeral of William Thomas Harris, who died yesterday at his hone on West 11th Street, will be held from the Rose & Inman parlors at 1:30 tomorrow afternoon, Rev. Straub of the Christian Church conducting the services under the auspices of the G.A.R. Mr. Harris was about 77 years of age and had lived for 35 years in the Kittitas Valley and is survived by his widow and eleven children, all married and living in Kittitas County except four. He was a Grand Army veteran and the local members will turn out in a body in his honor. Interment … Read more

Godbey, Bertha Looney Brown – Obituary

Bertha M. Godbey, 95, a longtime Ellensburg resident, died Friday [September 19, 1986] evening at Gold Leaf Convalescent Home. She was born in Hawkins, Tenn., on Dec. 15, 1890, a daughter of John P. and Phoebe (Derrick) Looney. She and Bert Godbey were married in Yakima on Aug. 22, 1936. The family home was at 504 S. Pearl St. for more than 50 years. Her husband preceded her in death in 1968. Survivors include a niece, Mrs. Jim Wallace, of Wenatchee. Funeral will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the IOOF Cemetery. Friends who wish to attend may meet at the … Read more

Purdin, Mary Lulu Huss – Obituary

At her late home, 776 North Commercial Street, Mary Lulu, wife of Robert L. Purdin, age 49 years [October 21, 1924 in Marion Co., OR]. Besides her husband she is survived by five children, Mrs. Leston Downes, Mrs. Lester Mooney of Cottage Grove, Harvey, Eileen, and Mary at home. Her mother, two sisters and six brothers who reside in Washington. She was a member of Neighbors of Woodcraft of Ellensburg, Wash. Funeral services will be announced later. Remains are in care of the Terwilliger Funeral Home. Mary Lulu was the daughter of Elisha Harvey Huss and Dorcas Jane Graham, long-time … Read more

Sorenson, Soren Albert – Obituary

Death Takes Al Sorenson, Civic Leader, Veteran Member Of County Board Succumbs Sunday May 8, 1955 Death comes to Soren Albert (Al) Sorenson, 60-year-old member of the Board of Kittitas County Commissioners and one of the county’s most prominent citizens, Sunday afternoon in Sorensen Memorial Hospital here. He had suffered a heart attack Wednesday afternoon. A Kittitas Valley native, active in farm and community affairs throughout his adult life Sorenson was widely known throughout the state and Northwest. Mourned by friends and associates he was eulogized by them as having “always given his best efforts to the interests of Kittitas … Read more

Parsel, Ada Florence Grewell Anderson – Obituary

Mrs. Ada Parsel, 80, at 505½ North Poplar, Ellensburg, died Sunday, Nov. 5 [1972], in Gold Leaf Convalescent Center. Mrs. Parsel was born in Ellensburg, daughter of pioneer parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Clayt Grewell. She and Harry Parsel were married in 1920 at Ellensburg. He died in 1971. She was a member of Thorp Christian Church. Survivors include a son, Harry T. Parsel of Ellensburg; two daughters, Mrs. Cleo McCotter of Thorp, and Mrs. Dorothy Wallace of Sunnyside; seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; a brother, Byron Grewell of Pasco, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins in the … Read more