Kittitas County WA

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

Gillis, Malcolm M – Obituary

Malcolm M. Gillis, 88, longtime Kittitas resident, died Thursday at the Gold Leaf Nursing Home [died March 6, 1975]. He was born May 28, 1886 in North Dakota. He came to the Ellensburg area in 1915. He and Marjorie Cooke were married in 1917 at Ellensburg. They farmed in the valley until 1936. They built their home in Kittitas and he worked as a carpenter until his retirement in the late 1950’s. He assisted with construction of the Kittitas Community Church, of which he was a member. In addition to his wife Marjorie, he is survived by a son, M. … Read more

Pedersen, Maren Mikkelsen – Obituary

Mrs. Peder Pedersen, 70, widely known and respected Denmark District pioneer, died at her home Sunday afternoon [October 9, 1938]. Born Maren Mikkelsen near Aarhus, Denmark, November 23, 1867, Mrs. Pedersen has resided in the Denmark District 48 years. She came to America in June, 1888, and lived in Ohio until January, 1890, when she came to Ellensburg. She was married to Peder Pedersen here February 8, 1891, and had made her home in the Denmark District ever since. She is survived by her widower; eight children, Mrs. Clara Kay, Mrs. Anna Cleman and Arthur Pedersen of Ellensburg; Mrs. Ellenora … Read more

Rutledge, Mary Palmer – Obituary

Mary M. Palmer Rutledge, 86, widow of the late S. C. Rutledge, died at the home of her granddaughter, Mrs. A. W. Welch, 410 Island Home, yesterday afternoon at 12:45 o’clock. Mrs. Rutledge was born in Hawkins County, Tennessee, November 23, 1839. She was converted and became a member of the Baptist Church at the age of 13 and lived a consistent life for 72 years. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. G. A. Toomey, Miami, Fla., and Mrs. A. O. Child, Powell’s Station; three sons W. T. Rutledge, Thorp, State of Washington; John M. Rutledge, Knoxville, and S. … Read more

Hayes, Harry Klondike – Obituary

Harry K. Hayes, 79, died Monday [May 2, 1977] at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. He was born June 16, 1897 in Ellensburg. He farmed in the Denmark District until retirement in 1962. He continued to live on the farm until he moved to Ellensburg in 1972. He and his wife Ruby then made their home at 700 S. Whitman St Survivors in addition to his wife include four sons, Homer Hayes of Oak Harbor, bill Hayes of Oak Harbor, bill Hayes of Prosser, Jerry Hayes of Yakima, and Joel Hayes of Renton; four daughters, Mrs. Juanita Dusbabek of Seattle, Mrs. … Read more

McEwen, Mary Ellen Grunden – Obituary

The body of Mrs. E. J. McEwen who died in Seattle on Monday [May 23, 1916] after a long illness with pulmonary tuberculosis, arrived in Ellensburg last night and was taken to the parlor of M. L. Bridgham where it will lie until funeral arrangements can be made. Mr. McEwen is in Montreal, and will not be able to get here until Sunday or Monday. Mrs. McEwen, formerly Miss Mary Grunden, was born in Ellensburg and had lived here nearly all of her life, having attended the public schools here. She was 20 years of age, and was married in … Read more

Grissom, William A. – Obituary

William A. Grissom, a well-known pioneer of Kittitas County, died last night March 14, 1910 at the Valley house. Mr. Grissom was 50 years old and his death was due to dropsy. He is survived by a son, Robert, and six daughters, Ethel, Kate, Myrtle, Ellie Belle, and Vera. The funeral services will be held tomorrow at Rose & Inman’s chapel at 2:30 p.m. Burial in IOOF Cemetery.

Biography of Walter A. Bull

WALTER A. BULL.- In the gentleman whose name heads this brief memoir, we find one of the most substantial farmers of the Kittitass valley, and the owner of the beautiful ranch, a view of which finds a place in this work. He is a native of Albany, New York, and was born June 20, 1838, being the son of John and Sarah (Fish) Bull. When our subject was ten years of age, he with his parents moved to Racine, Wisconsin, where his father engaged in the shipping business on the lakes, and where Walter attended school and resided until twenty … Read more

Churchill, Julia (Nettie) Lester – Obituary

Mrs. Nettie Churchill [w/o Alfred Churchill], mother of Mrs. Chester Cook, died Sunday night [February 16, 1914] at the home of her daughter in the Southeast part of the valley. Mrs. Churchill was 53 years old and had been sick for some time. The funeral was held from the Methodist Church, Tuesday afternoon, Rev. Nathan, pastor of the church conducted the services. Burial was in the IOOF Cemetery. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Olmstead, Sarah Yale – Obituary

Mrs. Sarah Yale Olmstead of 801 East Summer Street died at her home about noon yesterday [September 16, 1918]. Mrs. Olmstead was born at Saratoga Springs, New York, December 25, 1841. She moved with her family to Oregon in 1870, where she lived for four years, when she went to Seattle and later came to Kittitas Valley and settled on a farm about five miles southeast of Ellensburg. She is survived by Phil Olmstead of Ellensburg and two granddaughters, the Misses Berdie and Leta Smith. The funeral services will take place at the residence Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Dr. … Read more

Harrell, Thomas Andrew Jr. – Obituary

Thomas Andrew Harrell, 71, died today March 2, 1959 at the Valley General Hospital. He had been seriously ill for a week but has been in failing health for some time. He was born in Rogersville, Tenn. And came to the Kittitas Valley where he has been a rancher since 1904. He married Miss Maxie Taylor here in 1908. Following her death, he subsequently married Miss Alice Poskey who has also passed away. He is survived by his present wife, Mrs. Esther Harrell and by a daughter, Mrs. Louise Fleming now a resident of Ellensburg formerly of Seattle. He leaves … Read more

Wheeler, Charles – Obituary

Charles Wheeler, a young man who was raised in the valley, but who has lately been living at Toppenish, died on Thursday [August 12, 1909] at the home of Phil Olmstead. He was about 23 years old and was a son of G. W. Wheeler. Charles was born January 16, 1884 in Ellensburg. His parents were George Washington Wheeler and Anna Montgomery. He was single. Charles was interred at the IOOF Cemetery. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Lee, William M. – Obituary

William M. (Billy) Lee, 68, widely-known Ellensburg resident, died at 8:45 p.m. last night [May 23, 1949] at the Morris Sorensen Memorial Hospital. He had been in the hospital for five days, but had been in failing health for some time. He had been a resident of Ellensburg nearly all his life. A native of Walla Walla, he is survived by his wife, Mrs. Geneva Lee, a son, Melvin Lee of Seattle; two half brothers; six half sisters and other relatives in this area. Funeral arrangements have not been completed. [Burial was in the IOOF Cemetery]. William was the son … Read more

Kinkade, Eva E. Churchill – Obituary

Mrs. Eva E. Kinkade passed away at 12:30 Wednesday morning [September 12, 1929] after a long illness. She is survived by her husband, John W. Kinkade, a son, Dallas Kinkade, and two brothers, C. C. Churchill of Ellensburg and Lincoln C., of Alaska and one sister, Miss Ann Churchill of this city. Funeral services will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o’clock from the Honeycutt mortuary parlors and interment will be in the IOOF Cemetery. The Rev. K. E. Burke will officiate. Contributed by Shelly Steedman.

Cooke, Norman L. – Obituary

Norman L. Cooke of Route 3, Ellensburg died at Veteran’s Hospital in Seattle yesterday afternoon about an hour after he had been taken there by the Evenson ambulance. He was born in Oregon and was 70 years of age. The body will be returned here for funeral services and burial. Norman was born March 29, 1893 in Eugene, Oregon. He was married to Irma Lucile Wilson on March 29, 1935 in Ellensburg. I know of no children. He died September 15, 1963.

Huss, Rose Rader – Obituary

Mrs. Rose Huss, Pioneer, Passes. Widely Known Valley Resident Taken By Death Today. Mrs. Rose Huss, 73, widely known Kittitas Valley pioneer, died at her home here this morning [March 12, 1946]. Mrs. Huss traveled with her parents to this area by covered wagon over the Old Oregon Trail when a girl of seven, in 1879. She was born Rose Rader, a daughter of the late A. J. and Margaret Rader, October 9, 1872, near Hollister, Cal. She was the youngest member and last survivor of the sturdy Iowa family which moved into the Northwest in pioneer days. Their first … Read more

Filer, Martha Ann Bacus – Obituary

After an illness of several months at her home near Twisp, Washington, Mrs. Martha Filer, died Thursday, August 25 [1913] age 73 years. Mrs. Filer was born January 8, 1840 in Illinois and when a girl moved with her parents to Texas, where in 1869 she was married to Jacob Filer. [Marriage date is incorrect. First child was born about 1862]. To this union twelve children were born, eight of whom are living; her daughters, Mrs. Jones of Twisp, Mrs. Tuverson of Kellogg, Idaho, Mrs. Manning of North Yakima, and Mrs. G. C. Charlton of this valley. Four sons Fred … 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

Bender, Abbie – Obituary

Miss Abbie R. Bender, for three months a resident of Ellensburg, died here Wednesday. She is survived by two brothers, William and Louis Bender of this city, and Frank Bender, another brother, resides at Glendale, Cal Abbie was the daughter of William W. Bender and Margaret Coughtry. She was born in 1874 in Albany Co., NY and died November 14, 1928. She is buried in the IOOF Cemetery Contributed by: Sheli Steedman

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