Kittitas Valley Washington

Bull, John Alva – Obituary

John Alva Bull, aged 78, passed away suddenly at his home on September 20. Born on September 10, 1891, in Kittitas Valley, Bull dedicated his life to the community, participating in key developments, including the Kittitas County Fair and Rodeo. He graduated from the University of Washington and married Margaret Porter in 1915. Bull is survived by his wife, three sons, eight grandchildren, and siblings. Funeral services will be held at Evenson Funeral Home, followed by interment in the IOOF Cemetery.

Peffers, Henry Elmer – Obituary

Elmer Peffers, aged 47, passed away on June 14, 1935, after a brief illness. A lifelong resident of the region, he is survived by two sisters, Emma Waters and Mary McEwen, and four brothers: John and Leavenworth, William and Burton from Ellensburg, and Albert from Sunnyside. Funeral arrangements are pending, with interment planned at IOOF Cemetery.

Cooke, Budd W. – Obituary

Budd W. Cooke, a prominent farmer in the Fairview District, passed away at age 72 on October 6, 1967. Funeral services will be held at Evenson Funeral Home Chapel, with graveside rites at IOOF Cemetery by World War I Barracks No. 871. Born on March 2, 1895, in Coburg, Oregon, he moved to Kittitas Valley as a child and married Ella Harrel in 1919. Cooke was a World War I veteran and is survived by his wife, two daughters, four grandchildren, and extended family.

Hall, Zumbrunnen Bertha Annen – Obituary

Bertha Zumbrunnen Hall, aged 91, passed away at Royal Vista Care Center in Kittitas Valley. Born in Switzerland on November 15, 1892, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1912 and married Victor Zumbrunnen the same year. After Victor’s passing in 1935, she wed Evert Hall in 1942. Bertha is survived by one son, two daughters, six grandchildren, and twelve great-grandchildren. She was interred in the IOOF Cemetery in Ellensburg after her death on November 12, 1984.

Morrison, Thomas Jefferson – Obituary

Thomas Jefferson Morrison, a member of one of Kittitas Valley’s earliest pioneer families, died at the age of 75 on April 11, 1953, after a period of ill health. Born in 1878 on the family homestead, he was the son of Civil War veteran William Morrison. Thomas contributed to local agriculture and infrastructure, including the construction of the Milwaukee Railway in 1908. He is survived by his wife, Lillie, a daughter, a son, and other family members. His funeral will be held on April 15.

Smathers, Willie Smith – Obituary

Mrs. Willie F. Collins Smathers, 31, passed away on January 3, 1952, in Seattle, where she had been visiting her daughter. Originally from West Virginia, she moved to Washington in 1902 and settled in Kittitas Valley. She is survived by her husband John E. Smathers, a son, and five daughters, along with four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at Honeycutt-Evenson funeral home, with internment scheduled at the IOOF cemetery on Monday.

Cooke, Glen W. – Obituary

Glen W. Cooke, aged 66, passed away on September 11, 1992, in Yakima after a long illness. A lifelong resident of Ellensburg, he was active in 4-H and FFA during his youth. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he and his wife, Sally, became real estate brokers. Glen was involved in local organizations, serving as a port commissioner and a member of Grace Episcopal Church. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and several grandchildren. Memorial services will be held on September 19, 1992.

Hayes, George – Obituary

George H. Hayes, a 75-year-old Kittitas Valley pioneer, passed away on May 31, 1956, in Pasco after a brief illness. He was known for his extensive farming in the Edgemont District and had been residing with his daughter for the past year. Hayes was active in community organizations, including the Kittitas Grange and the Masonic Lodge. He is survived by his daughter, several brothers and sisters, and grandchildren, following the loss of his wife in 1933 and another daughter in 1955. Funeral services are scheduled for June 2, 1956.

McEwen, Ernie D. – Obituary

Ernie D. McEwen, 55, died in a collision involving his pickup truck and a logging truck on July 12, 1981. He sustained severe injuries, including a basal skull fracture, and passed away at Ellensburg General Hospital without regaining consciousness. McEwen, a lifelong rancher and stockman, was well-known for his participation in the Ellensburg Rodeo. He is survived by his wife, Eva, a daughter, siblings, and a grandchild. Funeral services are scheduled for July 14. This marks the seventh traffic fatality in Kittitas County this year.

Hayes, Nancy Fortney – Obituary

Nancy E. Hayes, an 83-year-old pioneer of the Kittitas Valley, passed away on March 19, 1941. Born on March 14, 1858, in Missouri, she moved to the Kittitas Valley in 1882 and was the widow of James T. Hayes. Survived by seven children, 33 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, she leaves behind a legacy of 64 descendants. Funeral services will take place on March 22 at Honeycutt chapel, with burial in the I.O.O.F. cemetery.

Hayes, Lydia Montgomery – Obituary

Mrs. Lydia Hayes, wife of George Hayes, passed away at her Broadview home on August 1, 1934, after a prolonged illness. Born on September 3, 1887, she lived most of her life on the family farm, aside from 13 years in Yakima Valley. Lydia married George Hayes on October 1, 1905, and together they had two daughters, Mrs. Helen Rambough and Miss Hilda Hayes. She is survived by her husband, children, four sisters, one granddaughter, and her grandmother.

Michels, Henry – Obituary

Henry J. Michels, a prominent farmer and pioneer of the Kittitas Valley, passed away on October 12, 1943, at the age of 69. Originally from St. James, Minnesota, he moved to the valley in 1882 and spent over six decades there. Educated in Ellensburg, he married Anna Olding in 1900. Michels devoted most of his life to farming, except for a brief period in the drayage business. He is survived by his wife, a son, siblings, and many relatives. Funeral services will take place at St. Andrews Catholic Church.

Cooke, Ella Harrel – Obituary

Ella Cooke, 96, passed away on April 19, 1997, at the Masonic Retirement Center in Des Moines, Washington, where she had resided for nine years. Born on January 1, 1901, in Hawkins County, Tennessee, she moved to Ellensburg Valley as a child. Ella was a devoted member of her community, participating in several clubs and organizations. She is survived by her daughter, four grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and one brother. Services will take place on April 25, with burial at the IOOF Cemetery.

Cooke, Henry Daniel – Obituary

Henry Daniel Cooke, aged 69, passed away at his home in the Fairview district on July 2, 1951. A lifelong resident of Kittitas Valley, he farmed the Cooke property for 16 years. Born on December 4, 1881, he was the son of Edward Ward Cooke and a descendant of local pioneers. Cooke is survived by his wife Cora and several siblings. His funeral will be held on July 6, with burial at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Cooke, Morand – Obituary

Morand D. (Mode) Cooke, aged 88, passed away on September 2, 1945, at his home in Fairview, where he had spent 74 years of his life. A descendant of Oregon and Washington pioneers, he moved to the Kittitas valley in 1871, homesteading in Fairview. Cooke was actively involved in farming and livestock, and was one of the area’s earliest assessors. He is survived by four sons, two daughters, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at the Honeycutt chapel.

Curtis, Samantha Wheeler – Obituary

Mrs. Samantha Ann Curtis, a pioneer of the valley, passed away on March 12, 1934, at 79 years old, at her brother Abe Wheeler’s home near Kittitas. A resident of the valley since 1871, she was married in 1875 and became a widow in 1923. She is survived by four children, 27 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Funeral services are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Honeycutt chapel, followed by burial in Brewster.

Cowell, Thomas – Obituary

Thomas E. Cowell, a prominent farmer from Badger Pocket, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 65 on November 21, 1945, likely due to a heart attack. A long-time resident of Kittitas Valley since the early 1900s, he is survived by his wife, Ida Cook, and their children, Clara and Elwin, as well as two grandchildren and several siblings. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday at Honeycutt chapel, with interment at the IOOF cemetery.

Cooke, Virinda Wheeler

Mrs. Virinda Wheeler Cooke, of East Kittitas, passed away on August 2, 1906, after a prolonged illness. Born on February 23, 1861, in Yelm, WA, she married Edward Ward Cooke in 1878 and mothered twelve children. Her funeral will take place at her residence, followed by burial in the I.O.O.F. cemetery on Saturday. The family, particularly her husband, is surrounded by the sympathy of a broad community during this difficult time.

Curtis, Rosetta Carver – Obituary

Rosetta Carver, a pioneer of the Kittitas Valley, passed away at age 77 on November 14, 1930, after a prolonged illness. Born on January 3, 1853, in Michigan, she moved to the valley in 1876 with her family. Rosetta married George W. Carver in 1869 and they operated one of the largest dairies in the area. A charter member of the Women’s Relief Corps and the Order of the Eastern Star, she was known for her compassion and community service. She is survived by six children.

Dixon, Elwood J. – Obituary

Elwood J. Dixon, an 82-year-old pioneer of Kittitas Valley, passed away on May 9, 1937, after a major operation. Born on October 3, 1854, in Illinois, he moved west in 1878 and settled in Ellensburg in 1882. Renowned as an early rural mail carrier, he later worked as a night watchman. A lifelong member of the Methodist church, he joined the Baptist church later in life. He is survived by his wife, Melinda, a daughter, and other relatives. Funeral services are scheduled for May 11.