Kittitas County WA

Shaw, Albert E. – Obituary

Albert E. “Shorty” Shaw, 68, Westside farmer and former owner of the Consolidated Creamery, and a resident of this valley since 1883, died here this morning [July 18, 1931]. Tuesday he had a leg amputated, two weeks after it was injured by a chain tied to a 15-months’ old bull calf which caught in his leg and dragged him a ways. It was thought at the time of the operation that he would recover but his passing came as a shock to his friends today. He was born in Handsport, Nova Scotia in 1863 and came to Ellensburg in 1883 … Read more

Montgomery, William Thomas – Obituary

Valley Pioneer, Tom Montgomery, Succumbs today. Death follows a three months Illness; funeral to be held her on Thursday. W. T. Montgomery, 74, Kittitas Valley pioneer, passed away at the home of his daughter Mrs. Leta Bates, 200 N. Sprague Street early this afternoon [December 22, 1931]. Mr. Montgomery’s death followed an ailment of three months duration, which confined him to bed. His passing marks the end of another pioneer life vividly reminiscent of long treks over the plains in covered wagons. His entry to the Kittitas Valley was from California in 1861 when he made the trip in a … Read more

Morrison, Lillie Dell Ferguson – Obituary

Marking the passing of another of Kittitas Valley’s pioneers was the death Sunday of Mrs. Lillie Morrison at the age of 75 March 6, 1960. She was born in Ellensburg, Jan. 1885, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Ferguson, who had come to the valley in 1871. Lillie Ferguson was married to Thomas Morrison July 3, 1903, at Ellensburg and they made their home one half mile north of Kittitas. Here they resided until Mr. Morrison died in 1953. Mrs. Morrison moved to the home of her daughter, Mrs. (Gladys) Clarence Sisk on Route 2 and where she led … Read more

Montgomery, Sadie “Sasie” Folsom Sutherland – Obituary

The death of Mrs. Sasie F. Montgomery occurred this morning [December 1, 1922] at 5 o’clock at the family residence in the Broadview District, following an illness of a year. Mrs. Montgomery was born in Kerona, Illinois, May 21, 1858, coming to Kittitas County in 1888, where she has since made her home. She was married to James Montgomery in 1891. For several years in the pioneer days of Ellensburg, Mrs. Montgomery was employed as a teacher in the city schools, and later served on the county examining board. She has always been very much interested in school work, and … 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

Uebelacker, Geneva Bronson – Obituary

Geneva Bronson, 97, of Yakima, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 1998 in Crescent Convalescent Center. She was born on June 17, 1900 to Frank and Anna (Michels) Uebelacker in Ellensburg, WA where she was raised and educated. She and her husband resided in San Jose, California, where Mrs. Bronson was a first grade teacher at Willow Glen Elementary School for many years. She has resided in Yakima for the past fifteen years. She is survived by two nephews, Don Uebelacker and wife Anna of Yakima and Bill Uebelacker and wife Jean of Milwaukee, Oregon; numerous great nieces and nephews, … Read more

Benz, Gladys McEwen – Obituary

Gladys Benz, 81, of 521 N. Date St., Toppenish, died Tuesday in Central Memorial Hospital. She was born Oct. 19, 1901, in Ellensburg to Oscar and Ella McEwen. Mrs. Benz was raised by Lou and Martha Evans and lived in the Toppenish area 72 years. She married Paul Benz in Seattle April 4, 1923, and they recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. Mrs. Benz had been a manager for Wheeler Electric Co. for 30 years. Survivors include her husband, Paul Benz of Toppenish; a daughter, Patricia Ann Aaker of Boulder, Colo; two sons, Paul Benz Jr. of Yakima and Lou … Read more

Johnson, Dora Evans Crawford – Obituary

Mrs. Dora Evans Crawford Johnson, better known as Mrs. George Crawford, passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Pete Sorenson, this morning following a lengthy illness. Mrs. Johnson was born in Todd County, Minnesota 54 years ago and has been a resident of this community since she was 14 years of age. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Spanish American War Veterans and for her 40 years residence here has been a worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Besides her widower, Joseph R. Johnson, one son, Stephen E. Crawford of Ellensburg and three daughters, … Read more

Gerard, Ida May (Hall) – Obituary

Mrs. Ida M. Gerard, 91, a former Ellensburg resident, died Wednesday at the Central Memorial Hospital in Toppenish. She had been in the hospital one day, having been in the Parkside Sanitarium in Toppenish since March 21. She was born July 26, 1866, in Covington, Kentucky. She was married to Joseph N. Gerard in Mt. Vernon, Ill. in 1884. He preceded her in death in February, 1938 in Los Angeles. Mrs. Gerard came to Ellensburg from Mt. Vernon in 1888, moved to Spokane in 1901, to Wapato in 1916, to Detroit, Mich. in 1923, to Seattle in 1925, returned to … 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

Wyatt, Lester Jay – Obituary

Lester Jay Wyatt, 27, teacher and head basketball coach for Hanford High School, died Tuesday at his home in Richland. He was born in Ellensburg on Dec. 31, 1954, the only son of Marvin and Kathryn Wyatt of Ellensburg. He graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1973 and from Central Washington University in 1973 with a degree in education. Mr. Wyatt taught and coached for one year at Tonasket High School. Since 1979 he had been a teacher and coach at Hanford High. Survivors include his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Wyatt of Ellensburg; a sister, Mrs. John (Jane) Floyd … Read more

Woodyard, James A. – Obituary

J. A. Woodyard Is Laid To Rest A Minister and Servant of God Has Been Called to His Reward Elder J. A. Woodyard died at the home of his son-in-law in North Kittitas precinct twelve miles north of this city, Friday morning at 12:30, June 7, 1912. The remains were brought to this city and placed in charge of Ross & Inman who prepared for the same burial. The funeral took place from the Christian church, Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The remains were followed to their last resting place by a considerable number of his old time friends and … Read more

Wright, Myrtle McVey – Obituary

Mrs. Myrtle Elizabeth Wright, wife of Wm. J. Wright, resident in the valley for the past ten years, died yesterday morning [June 13, 1920] at the general hospital at 4:30 a.m. at the age of 47. Mr. and Mrs. Wright located in the valley in 1910, from Missouri, having lived in the city since that date on their ranch four miles east of town. During the winter Mrs. Wright was taken with smallpox and in her weakened condition contracted the “flu,” from which she never had fully recovered. Besides the many friends which she has made since locating in the … Read more

Kittitas County Washington Obituaries

The following Kittitas County Washington obituaries were either submitted by users or collated by Judy Wallis White. This is a collection of over 400 obituaries for Kittitas County Washington. An exclusive collection only at AccessGenealogy!

McEwen, Edward Jesse – Obituary

Ed McEwen, jockey killed in a race, former Ellensburg boy thrown by horse; was born here and parents were pioneers of the Kittitas Valley.. Walla Walla, June 5-Ed McEwen, Walla Walla, jockey for Geo. Drumheller, was killed during the annual Waitsburg racing matinee yesterday afternoon [June 4, 1920]. The fatal accident occurred during the three-eights mile handicap next to the last race, when his horse threw him from the saddle breaking his neck. Eddie McEwen, who was the son of Harvey McEwen, a well-known horseman of this valley, was a native of Ellensburg. His father and grandfather were pioneers of … Read more

Biography of Joseph M. Shelton

JOSEPH M. SHELTON. – “Present misfortune is our future weal,” wrote the old homilist; and in human experience it has been well enough proved that in adversity is the power of a man’s character developed. Joseph M. Shelton, the subject of this sketch, had lived in comfort and prosperity on the family plantation in Caswell County, in North Carolina; but, in common with so many of the foremost Southern families, the Sheltons sustained heavy losses in the war, and by the liberation of the slaves of which Joseph’s father was a large owner. It was then that Joseph showed the … Read more

Morrison, Chester J. – Obituary

Chet Morrison, 73, Rt. 5 Box 270, died Friday evening [December 5, 1980] at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. He was born in Ellensburg on August 9, 1907, a son of the late Thomas J. and Lilly (Ferguson) Morrison. He attended school in Kittitas and from 1923 to 1950 he followed the rodeo circuit. He and Bertha Zumbrunnen were married in Yakima on April 8, 1938. Since 1942, they have operated a ranch in the Fairview District on Nanum Road. Morrison helped to start the Kittitas County Calf Ropers Assocation with Bud McNeil. In addition to his wife, he is survived … 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

Dawes Laurin T. – Obituary

Laurin T. Dawes, 70, died at his Fairview District ranch on Sunday [December 5, 1976]. He was born February 21, 1906 at Silverton, Ore. He came to Ellensburg from Portland in 1930. He was married to Edna Cooke in 1933 and was a carpenter for many years prior to moving to his ranch in 1945. He is survived by his wife Edna and one brother, Walter Dawes of Portland, Ore. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m. at the Evenson Chapel. The Rev. Don Meekhof will officiate. Entombment will follow at the IOOF Mausoleum. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

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