Kittitas County WA

Grindrod, Mildred Miller – Obituary

Mildred M. Grindrod, 61, Kittitas, died Tuesday [December 3] morning at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. She was born in Ainsworth, Neb., on Sept. 3, 1924. She and Owen Grindrod were married in Sumner on April 4, 1942. They came to the Kittitas Valley from Puyallup in 1944 and farmed in the Badger Pocket area. They moved to Kittitas in 1959 and operated the O&M Café for a number of years. Mrs. Grindrod had been employed as a cook at Husky House for the past five years. She was a member of the Kittitas Community Church and the Kittitas Booster Club, … Read more

Eaden, Myrtle Dixon – Obituary

Funeral services will be held at the Honeycutt Chapel here at 3:00 Wednesday afternoon for Myrtle Dixon Eaden, former valley resident, who died in Tacoma on Sunday [April 21, 1946] Born in Ellensburg on February 16, 1899, she was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Dixon, valley pioneers. She attended local grade schools and high school and spent the most of her life here until she moved to Tacoma 15 years ago In 1922 she was married to William Eaden, who survives her. She is also survived by a brother, Archie Dixon of Vancouver, Wash.; a half brother, … Read more

Grunden, John William – Obituary

John W. Grunden, 94, an Ellensburg native, died Saturday [June 26] at the Goldleaf Nursing Home where he had lived for the past 10 years. He was born on Oct. 12, 1887 in rural Ellensburg, a son of the late Elof and Selma (Jacobsen) Grunden. He served in the army during World War I. Mr. Grunden had worked in the hay bailing business as a pressman and foreman of the bailer crew. With the exception of 10 years in Toppenish, he had spent his entire life in the Kittitas Valley. Survivors include a brother, Glenn Grunden of Ellensburg; and three … Read more

Dixon, Melinda Banister – Obituary

Mrs. Melinda B. Dixon, pioneer of Kittitas Valley, died at Bernath’s Nursing Home early today at the age of 91 years January 13, 1964. Melinda Banister, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Samuel L. Banister, was born Feb. 6, 1872 in Clark County, Washington and came to Ellensburg with her parents in 1870. Because of the Indian disturbance in the valley they moved to Walla Walla, returning here in 1884, making the trip in a covered wagon. She was married to Elwood J. Dixon, Dec. 18, 1890 in Ellensburg. He died here in 1937. She was also preceded in … Read more

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

Peffers, Burton L. – Obituary

Burton L. Peffers, 63, 908 E. Fifth Avenue, a native of Ellensburg, died at Sorensen Memorial Hospital Wednesday afternoon [November 21, 1956]. He had been in ill health 2 ½ years and had been hospitalized the past week. Peffers was born here Feb. 2, 1893, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Moses Peffers, pioneer residents of the Fairview District. He married Zelma Hailey on Nov. 8, 1950, in Reno, NV. He was a veteran of World War I. He is survived by his wife; a stepson, Homer Seriven, of Stockton, Calif.; a stepdaughter, Mrs. Lela Stiger, of Miami, Fla.; three … Read more

Hayes, William – Obituary

William Hayes, 71, a resident of the Kittitas Valley for 60 years, died here Saturday evening. He came here in 1882. For the past few years, he made his home with a niece, Mrs. Dora Willis, here He is survived by a brother, Samuel T. Hayes, of Yakima; a sister Mrs. W. T. Sheldon, of Twin Falls, Idaho, and numerous nieces and nephews ************* William was the son of Sanford Hayes and Rebecca Fry. He died May 30, 1942. He is buried in the IOOF Cemetery with a marker provided by the cemetery Contributed by: Sheli Steedman

Fray, Myrtle Mildred Minielly – Obituary

Myrtle M. Fray, 87, a Colorado Springs hat maker and musician, died Friday November 28, 1986 at a local hospital. Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the Evergreen Funeral Home Chapel at the intersection of Fountain and Union boulevards. The Rev. Curtis Blair of Grace Baptist Church will officiate. Burial will follow in Ellensburg, Wash. IOOF Cemetery. Mrs. Fray was born Oct. 13, 1899, in Ellensburg, and moved to Colorado Springs in 1965. She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and belonged to 8/40 La Boutique Des Huit Chapeaux et Quarante Femmes. She is survived … Read more

Schnebly, Margaretta A. – Obituary

After a lingering illness, Mrs. Margaret A. Schnebly died last Saturday afternoon [February 9, 1907] at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. B. Davidson, at an advanced age. She had been an invalid for years and much of the time was a great sufferer. Mrs. Schnebly was one of the pioneer women of the valley and was widely known and much esteemed. She was a woman of strong personality and left an impression of her characteristics upon the community, with a strong influence for good. Besides her daughter, she leaves two sons, P. H. and C. P. Schnebly, and … 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

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

Ferrier, Jess – Obituary

Jess Ferrier, 67, well known retired Ellensburg contractor, died in a local hospital [October 6, 1948] yesterday afternoon. He had been in failing health for some time. A resident of Ellensburg nearly half a century, Ferrier came here in 1901. He was engaged in the construction and house-moving business for many years. Mrs. Ferrier died four years ago. He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Stella McDebitt of Spokane. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

Curtis, Samantha Wheeler – Obituary

Mrs. Samantha Ann Curtis, 79, valley pioneer, passed away at the home of her brother, Abe Wheeler, near Kittitas, last night [died March 12, 1934]. Mrs. Curtis came here in 1871 and has resided since that time in the valley with the exception of a few years spent at Okanogan. She was married to Mr. Curtis here in 1875 but was widowed in 1923 by his death. She leaves four children, Mrs. Etta Vaughn, Mrs. Mae Goldberg, Wesley Curtis, all of Brewster, and Mrs. Tillie Hayes, Kittitas. There are 27 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held … Read more

Prater, Julia Alice Harrell – Obituary

Mrs. Felix G. (Alice) Prater, 87, died Sept. 23 [1970] in a Seattle nursing home. Mrs. Felix lived for 60 years in the Ellensburg-Thorp area and in 1953 retired as a housemother at Central Washington College and moved to Burien. She lived in Des Moines, Wash., the past two years. Survivors include a son, Dorsey Prater of Burien; a daughter, Mrs. Glen (Gertrude) Kelley of Mt. Vernon; a grandson, Dr. Timothy Kelly of Corvallis, Ore., and two great grandsons. She has several nieces and nephews living in the Kittitas Valley and on the coast. Services will be Monday at Parkers … Read more

Harrel, Edward Hamilton – Obituary

[The obituary was bound and some words are in the binding. Missing words are shown as …] Edward Hamilton Harrel, fatally injured when the automobile which he was driving turned turtle on the Dollarway on the afternoon of Sunday, April 28, died at the general hospital this morning [May 14, 1918] at 12:20 o’clock. Death was caused by a fracture at the base of the skull…from the first only slight hopes had been held out for his recovery. Yesterday it was known that there was no hope of recovery, and practically all of the relatives here were gathered at the … Read more

Rader, Benjamin Franklin – Obituary

Funeral services will be held at the Evenson Chapel Tuesday, Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. for Ben F. Rader, native Reeecer Creek rancher who died Thursday [September 12, 1963] at the Ellensburg General Hospital. Rev. Paul G. Nance will officiate and interment will be in the IOOF Cemetery. The family suggests that anyone wishing to make a memorial in Mr. Rader’s name, send it to the First Christian Church Memorial Fund. Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

McEwen, Ernie D. – Obituary

McEwen Dies from Crash. Ernie D. McEwen, 55, died at Ellensburg General Hospital at (paper damaged) today [July 12, 1981], without recovering consciousness, after suffering fatal injuries in a collision of his pickup truck with a logging truck early Wednesday. The hospital yesterday after-noon reported McEwen’s injuries of a basal skull fracture, punctured lung and seven broken ribs. McEwen’s death is the seventh from traffic accidents in Kittitas County this year and the (paper damaged) from accidents occurring off a (paper damaged) highway. Fatalities number five and six were the deaths of two children, Earl Ray Bougher, the (paper damaged) … 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

Cooke, Winifred Joyce Churchill – Obituary

Winifred Cooke, 83, died Monday [January 13, 1975] at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. She was born March 13, 1891 in Capac, Mich., and after marrying Chester A. Cooke in 1910 moved to the Edgemont-Thrall area where they farmed. He proceeded her in death in 1950. Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Ohlander, Mrs. Frances Bryant and Mrs. Ruth Treischel, all of Seattle, two sons, Bruce of Milton and Bob of Chelan, 12 grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. At her wishes there will be cremation and no services. [Interment in IOOF Cemetery] Contributed by: Shelli Steedman

Huss, Dorcas Jane Graham – Obituary

The death of Mrs. Harvey Huss, aged 77 years, occurred Wednesday morning at the home of her son, F. Huss, caused by bronchial pneumonia. Funeral arrangements have not yet been completed. Dorcas was the daughter of William Graham and Catharine Pruitt. She married Elisha Harvey Huss in Missouri on April 3, 1863. Dorcas died February 11, 1925. She was buried in the IOOF Cemetery. Contributed by Shelly Steedman.