Funeral services were conducted at the Phillips Funeral Home Monday afternoon for Charles Wiidanen, pioneer Centerville resident. Interment was made in the Centerville Grange Cemetery with committal services by the Centerville Grange. Rev. J. A. Dunn was officiating minister at the rites.
Wiidanen was born April 21, 1877 in Calumet, Michigan and died at the Klickitat Valley Hospital, November 28 at the age of 75. He was the oldest son of Andrew and Amanda Holm Wiidanen and was six months old when he and his parents arrived in the Klickitat Valley. They came by train to California and by boat to Portland, on to The Dalles and into this valley.
On March 1, 1905 he was married to Jennie E. Planting in Adams, Oregon. They acquired land near Centerville and continued farming until September, 1941 when they moved to Goldendale to live.
Like other pioneers, Wiidanen worked hard. He hauled wheat to The Dalles and drove cattle and hogs to The Dalles market. He worked on this branch of the railroad in its early construction days.
On the Wiidanen ranch near Warwick, the old house built 70 years ago still stands. On this farm his daughter and son-in-law now live. The deceased was a member of the Apostolic Lutheran Church, a long time member of the Centerville Grange, whole hall he helped build.
His survivors are his wife; and a daughter, Gladys Uecker. A son Harry William, preceded him in death 19 years ago. Also surviving are a brother, Peter A. Wiidanen of Centerville; four sisters, Olivia Bayman, Centerville; Hilma Fielding, Portland; Ida Barney, Seattle; and Laura Kayser, Freewater, Oregon. Three brothers preceded him in death.
Goldendale Sentinel, December 4, 1952
Contributed by: Shelli Steedman