Kitittas Valley Washington

Dewees, Rebecca Ellen Freels – Obituary

Death came to Mrs. Rebecca Ellen DeWees, 71, at her home at 210 South Sampson Street this morning [February 14, 1940] after a two weeks’ illness. Her death follows that of her daughter-in-law, Mrs. George DeWees by just one week Mrs. DeWees was born in Havensville, Kentucky, March 17, 1858, and came to the Kittitas Valley in 1902. She has lived in her present home for 17 years. She was a member of the Miriam Rebekah Lodge here Mrs. DeWees is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Robert Kirk of Coldwater, Kansas, Mrs. Emma Sherman of Wichita, Mrs. Ina Davis and … Read more

Wyatt, Kenneth E. – Obituary

A former minor league baseball pitcher, Kenneth E. Wyatt, died Thursday [February 24, 1977]. He was 51. Mr. Wyatt, of 10108 East F St., was born in Kittitas. He had lived in Tacoma since 1960. Mr. Wyatt held the strike-out record In the Western International League for a few years. He played with the Spokane Indians and Salem Solons in the late 1940s. He was a travel guard at Western State Hospital. Mr. Wyatt was an Army veteran of the Second World War and a member of the Parkland Moose Lodge. He is survived by two daughters, Karen and Teri … Read more

Prater, Sarah Martha Hall – Obituary

Mrs. Martha Prater, 87, valley pioneer, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Minnie Wangeman, on North Walnut Street, at 11 o’clock yesterday morning [March 11, 1934]. Mrs. Prater suffered a paralytic stroke Thursday evening and her condition gradually grew worse until her death. Conscious almost to the end, she seemed cheerful and talked to relatives present. Her last words were “All is well.” Mrs. Prater had been in unusually good health for her age and only last Monday evening visited Mr. and Mrs. Austin Mires to extend greetings on their 50th wedding anniversary. A few days later … Read more

Schnebly, Joseph Jay – Obituary

Joseph J. Schnebly, age 62, prominent Fairview District rancher and valley native son, was killed when a team he was driving to a hay rake on his farm bolted and threw him under the machine [June 27, 1947]. This was the second similar accident this week in the Kittitas Valley. Ira Johnson, driving a second team on a rake in the same field, was thrown from his machine and knocked unconscious when his team ran away after Schnebly’s horses bolted but he escaped serious injury. Schnebly was breaking in a young horse on the team on his rake. This horse … Read more

Dewees, Almira Jane Swett – Obituary

Mrs. George DeWees, resident of Ellensburg and a native daughter of the Pacific Coast, died at the family residence, 306 South Sprague Street this morning [February 7, 1940], after an illness that has lasted nearly four years. No arrangements have been made for the funeral, pending the arrival of members of the family Mrs. Almira Swett DeWees was born in Clackamas County, Oregon and came to the Kittitas Valley as a girl in 1885, and was married here to George DeWees, pioneer milling and grain and feed man, who also served for several years on the city council and was … Read more

Stickney, May Briody – Obituary

Her death following that of her husband, Elmer E. Stickney, by a little more than a month, Mrs. May Stickney, 70- year-old Kittitas County pioneer, passed away at her home here last night [July 5, 1934] following a lingering illness. Mr. Stickney died on May 29. Mrs. Stickney was born February 10, 1864, at Oregon City, Oregon, and came to the Kittitas Valley in 1892. May 2 of that year she was married to Mr. Stickney. Eight children, all residents of Ellensburg, survive. They are: Earl, Henry, Fred, Mrs. Anna Miller, Mrs. Effie Kinkade, Mrs. Mabel Grimm, Mrs. Bertha Besaw … Read more

Kinkade, Rawlin Madison – Obituary

R. M. Kinkade, Pioneer, dies. Farmed in valley over Half-Century. Rawlin Madison (Roll) Kinkade, 86-year-old long-time Kittitas Valley resident and the last surviving son of a pioneer valley family, died last night [February 16, 1955] in Sorensen Memorial Hospital here. In ill health for some time, he had been hospitalized 12 days Kinkade came to the Kittitas Valley with his parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. David Kinkade, in September, 1882. He farmed here more than half a century before retiring in 1940. He was born in Denver, Ill., Nov. 4, 1868, and the family came here from California Kinkade … Read more

Dewees, George W. – Obituary

George W. Dewees, Valley Pioneer, taken by death widely known Ellensburg resident dies here today George William DeWees, 78, an Ellensburg resident for the past 56 years, died at the Ellensburg General Hospital this morning. In failing health for several years, he suffered a stroke Wednesday [October 6, 1945] morning and failed to rally The son of the late William and Valinda DeWees, he was born April 14, 1867, near Leitchfield, KY. When he was six years old his parents moved to the Middle West, where he spent his boyhood. He came to Ellensburg February 28, 1889, and went to … Read more

Morrison, Ica Ladd – Obituary

Mrs. A. D. Morrison of Kittitas, died at her home in that town, Tuesday [June 3, 1913] of tuberculosis after an illness of 5 months. She came to this county three years ago and secured employment in Crockett Company’s store and last September was married to Mr. Morrison. Her maiden name was Ladd. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Wyatt, Felix – Obituary

Felix Grundy Wyatt, 90, well-known and long-time Kittitas Valley resident, died yesterday [January 15, 1948] at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Howard Baughman, in Seattle. He had lived in Seattle for the past 10 years. Born January 1, 1858, in Ina, Illinois, Wyatt was brought to Shelton, Wash., by his parents when he was six years old. The trip was made by ox team. The family remained only a short time in Shelton and returned to Illinois. He was married in Mount Rose, Mo., in 1881 to Miss Mary Birney. They moved out to Shelton and then settled in … Read more

Evans, Martha Belle – Obituary

Funeral services are pending for Mrs. Martha Belle Evans, 81, a resident of Toppenish since 1905, who died Sunday May 22, 1966 in Toppenish. Mrs. Evans was born March 29, 1885 in Ellensburg, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey McEwen, pioneers of the Kittitas Valley. She married Lou Evans in 1904 and he died in 1949. She was a member of the Christian Congregational Church in Toppenish. Survivors include three brothers, Oscar McEwen, Ellensburg, Carl McEwen, Toppenish, and Clarence McEwen of Seattle; a niece, Mrs. Gladys Benz, Toppenish; and two nephews, Don McEwen, Portland, Ore., and Ralph McEwen, Toppenish.

Sorenson, Nielsine ‘Sine’ Pedersen – Obituary

Mrs. Soren Sorenson, 77, a Kittitas Valley pioneer, died Tuesday [September 3, 1940] at the Ellensburg General Hospital following a two week’s illness. Born Nielsine Pedersen in Holme, Denmark, Sept. 10, 1862, she came to America at the age of 27, living in the state of Ohio for a short time before coming to the Kittitas Valley in 1889 with her brother, Peder Pedersen. On Oct. 29, 1890, she was married to Soren Sorenson, a prominent valley farmer. The first year of their marriage, they lived on the John Denton place in the Broadview District. Then they moved to their … Read more

McKenzie, Charles Maxfield – Obituary

Former Yakima Valley resident Charles “Max” McKenzie, 84, of Edmonds, died Sunday in Edmonds [August 17, 1986]. Mr. McKenzie was born Dec. 8, 1901, in Omaha, Neb., to Charles and Maude McKenzie. They moved in 1903 to Quincy, where his family homesteaded until the death of his father in 1915. In 1917, they moved to the Kittitas Valley and took up farming. Mr. McKenzie went to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1923, retiring in 1967. He was married in 1926 to Ruth Barnhart. They were transferred to Yakima in 1932. While working for the railroad, he maintained a … Read more

Wright, Della Daisy Litch – Obituary

Mrs. Della D. Wright, 62, widow of the late Al Wright, died yesterday afternoon [February 26, 1943] at her home at 1005 North Water Street. She had been ill a year. Mrs. Wright was born September 17, 1880 in Missouri. She was married to Mr. Wright 35 years ago. A son born to them died when five years old [James Cuttrell Wright]. She was a member of the Christian Church. Survivors include three sisters, Mrs. Laura Schooler, Bixby, Okla.; Mrs. Mollie Barnett, Mendota, Mo., and Mrs. Margaret Gum, Green City, Mo.; and seven stepchildren, Mrs. Doris Zastron, Mrs. Roy Maryatt, … Read more

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

Schnebly, Marguerite Nelson – Obituary

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday [February 27, 1966] at Evanson’s Chapel for Mrs. Marguerite A. Schnebly, pioneer resident of the Kittitas Valley, who died Friday at Bernath’s Nursing Home Mrs. Schnebly, 80, was born August 8, 1885, in Copenhagen, Denmark and came with her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. James P. Nelson. They lived in the Fairview District until 1934, when she and her husband, Frank Schnebly, moved to Ellensburg to make their home at 101 W. Eighth The Schneblys were married September 27, 1905 in Ellensburg and Mr. Schnebly preceded her in death April 12, … Read more

Olmstead, Phil – Obituary

Phil Olmstead Valley Pioneer Called–Resident of Valley for 61 Years Passed Wednesday From Heart Attack–Had Distinguished Ancestors Philip S. Olmstead, 73-year-old resident of the Kittitas Valley for nearly 62 years, died suddenly at his farm home Wednesday morning [March 23, 1938] from a heart attack. Death came to him without warning about 9:30, shortly after he had conferred with D. W. Brunson, local auctioneer, about a sale which he was contemplating next week, after which he planned to retire from active farming. Mr. Olmstead was born in Ottawa, Illinois, the 14th day of February in 1865. He came to the … Read more

Barnhart, Thomas Henderson – Obituary

T. H. Barnhart, Old Pioneer is called, was 85 born in Tennessee, has spent many years in valley The death of T. H. Barnhart, a pioneer of this valley, occurred this morning [April 16, 1921] at the home of his son, S. C. Barnhart. He was 85 years old Mr. Barnhart was born in Tennessee, and came to this section a number of years ago. Since coming west, he has spent all of his time here with the exception of a few years in the Methow Valley For the past 19 years he has made his home with his son, … Read more

Schnebly, Philip Henry – Obituary

The Kittitas Valley lost another of its well known pioneers Sunday [October 17, 1926] when Philip Henry Schnebly passed away after an illness that extended over a period of more than three years. Death came at 7 o’clock Sunday, morning but was not unexpected, as Mr. Schnebly had suffered an acute sinking spell Friday. Coming here from Oregon, his birthplace, in 1872, Mr. Schnebly became one of the most important growers of beef cattle in the state, both stock and acreage mounting into the thousands. For a number of years, however, his livestock interests have been handled by his six … Read more

Morrison, General Grant – Obituary

General Grant Morrison [General is his name not a miliatry title], 50, a resident of the Kittitas Valley all his life, died Saturday evening [August 27, 1938] after a lingering illness. He was born at Kittitas in 1888 and has made his home here continuously since. He is survived by his widow, two daughters, Mrs. Herb Holland and Mrs. George Marshall; a son, Harry Jim Morrison; and three brothers, Tom, Bill, and Abe Morrison. Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 o’clock at the Honeycutt Chapel. [Interment at IOOF Cemetery] Contributed by: Shelli Steedman