Elsie Schnebly, 98, passed away Sept. 6, 1994 in Ellensburg. She was the daughter of Thomas and Anna (Schwartz) Hodgson. Mrs. Schnebly was born in Zillah on Feb. 8, 1896.
She moved with her family to Roslyn later that year and in 1900 the family moved to Ellensburg. She graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1913 and attended the Normal School. She taught in rural schools in Kittitas County: Tarpiscon School in 1914-15 and the Sunset School 1915-1916. She taught at the Fairview School 1916-17.
On June 5, 1917, Elsie married Frank B. Schnebly and they ran a cattle ranch in the Fairview area until their retirement. In 1961, they sold their ranch and later bought a small acreage on Game Farm Road, where they lived until Mr. Schnebly’s death in 1971. In 1972, Elsie moved to Ellensburg.
As a busy community worker, Mrs. Schnebly was a member of the Farm Bureau, and worked for 30 years on the Kittitas County Fair while her husband served on the Fair Board. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. She was a member of Jolly Neighbors Club, a former member of Gallina Club, a 4-H leader, a member of the Kittitas County Historical Society, the Ellensburg Duplicate Bridge Club and a 74-year member of Grace Chapter OES. She helped organize the Kittitas Unit of the American Cancer Society, where she received a certificate for best organizer. She also served 10 years on the state board of the Cancer Society.
Mrs. Schnebly is survived by her son, Franklin Schnebly and his wife Billie of Ellensburg; granddaughter Barbara Shaw of Birmingham, Ala.; grandson Larry Schnebly and wife Susan of San Jose, Calif.; great granddaughter Elizabeth; great grandson David of San Jose, Calif.; and sisters Helen Thomas and Ruby Haberman, both of Ellensburg.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank; daughter Barbara Frances, who died in infancy; and two brothers, Will and George Hodgson.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 9, 1994, at First Presbyterian Church in Ellensburg. Pastor Jack Chan will officiate. Private family interment will be held at IOOF Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, the Kittitas Historical Society.
