Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, October 5, 1950 Adams County, Ritzville, WA ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ ==================================================================== This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Sue Gardner sueboo18@hotmail.com ==================================================================== Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, October 5, 1950 Mrs. Brennan, 87, Dies Here; Rites Set for Montana WASHTUCNA - Mrs. Elizabeth R. Brennan, 87, pioneer resident of Anaconda, Mont., and of Washtucna the past nine years, died Tuesday morning in the Ritzville hospital where she had been a patient for the past three weeks. Her death was attributed to a complication of illnesses, brought on by old age. The body is being shipped to Anaconda where funeral services will be held later in the week at St. Paul's Catholic church there, with interment at Mt. Calvary cemetery there. Mrs. Brennan, widow of John C. Brennan, came to Anaconda from Philadelphia in November, 1894, as a bride. She lived there from that time until June, 1941, when she moved to Washtucna, to be near a daughter, Mrs. Edith Dawson. Her husband died in 1912, and a son, John, jr., a year later. Elizabeth McIntyre was born in Writesville, Pa., on Dec. 12, 1862, her parents dying when she was a samll girl. A brother and sister preceded her in death a few years ago. In addition to her daughter, Edith Dawson, she is survived by two sons, Bernard J. Brennan, Anaconda, Mont., and Joseph A. Brennan, San Francisco, several grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. One son was at her bedside when the end came, the other having just returned to San Francisco, on being told by the doctor that she might possibly linger several weeks or months, or it might be a couple of days, he couldn't tell. He returned immediately by plane to Ritzville from where the three children will leave for Anaconda. Mother Dies Mrs. Henry F. Koch, mother of Floyd Koch of Ritzville, died Tuesday in Spokane. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Danekas and Duncan funeral home chapel with Rev. Ruder and Rev. Hills officiating. Funeral Held for Marie B. Meyer Funeral services were held Friday afternoon for Marie B. Meyer, 89, who died Sept. 27 after 57 years of residence in Ritzville. The Rev. R. Kirschenmann officated at the rites at the Philadelphia Congregational church. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery with Danekas and Duncan funeral home in charge of arrangements. Mrs. Meyer was a member of the senior ladies aid of the Philadelphia church. Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. E. L. Starring and Mrs. J. H. Harris, both of Ritzville; three sons, George of Coulee City, Mike of Spokane, and Benjamin of California; and three grandchildren. Morgan, Pioneer Is Dead In California Word has been received that Vernie Morgan, another of Adams county's early-day pioneers, died of a heart attack Sept. 28 at his home in Stockton, Calif. Morgan and his two brothers, Simon and Lester, who also live in Stockton, were visiting in Adams county last fall. It was the first trip "home" Vernie had made since he moved away 30 years ago. Two other brothers are survive - Andrew Morgan of Benge and Charles Morgan of Othello. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, October 12, 1950 Funeral Services Conducted for Mrs. Koch Here Funeral services were held Oct. 7, for Agnes (Rehn) Koch, who died Oct. 3 at the Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane. The Smith funeral home of Spokane was in charge of the services conducted at the Danekas and Duncan funeral home by Rev. Rudder and Rev. Rowland G. Hills. Mrs. Koch was born Aug. 24, 1883, in Kolb, Russia. At the age of fifteen she came to the United States with her parents who settled in Edgar, Neb. Later the family moved to Hastings, Neb. In 1909 she was married to Henry F. Koch and they came west to settle on the farm near Ritzville. They lived here until 1943 when they retired and moved to Spokane. On Jan. 18, 1944, she suffered a heart attack after which she began to fail in health. She is survived by her husband, Henry F. Koch; three daughters, Mrs. D. H. Hedstrom, Mrs. Arthur R. Dryden and Mrs. Harold Usher, all of Spokane; two sons, Floyd K. Koch of Ritzville and Donald Koch of Spokane; two brothers, George Rehn and Jacob Rehn of Lincoln, Neb., a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Allis of Hastings, Neb. There are four grandchildren. She was a member of the Zion Congregational church. Funeral Is Held for Mrs. Owen WALLA WALLA - Funeral services fro Mrs. Lucina A. Owen, 85, of Walla Walla, were held there at 2 p.m. on Friday at the Marshall funeral home chapel with interment at the Mountain View cemetery. The Rev. Archie R. Trudgen of the Church of God officiated. Mrs. Owen, wife of William Owen, was a former Washtucna resident and was well-known here. She was a great aunt of Mrs. Frank M. Brown of Washtucna. Mrs. Owen was born May 25, 1865, in Nebraska. Survivors in addition to her husband, include a daughter and son, Mrs. Loni (Beaetta) Keen, Walla Walla. amd Francis Tate of Eureka; stepmother of Mrs. Elsie Steel of Long Beach, Wash., Oley Owen of Portland, Mrs. Millie Gressenger of Tacoma and Mrs. Hazel French of Eureka, Calif. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, October 19, 1950 Funeral Monday for Early Settler in 'Tucna Area Funeral services for Thomas Elliott, 71, Washtucna pioneer, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Community church in Washtucna. Mr. Elliott, who moved to Spokane from Washtucna in 1947, died Saturday in Santa Monica, Calif., while visiting in California. Born on March 1, 1879, near Pitsfield, Ill., Mr. Elliott came west in 1903, homesteading near Washtucna. He was married on Sept. 18, 1905, to Miss Hattie Cox. Mrs. Elliott died in 1923. Mr. Elliott was a member of the Christian church having joined at the age of 18 at Martinsburg, ill. He later transferred his membership to Washtucna. Survivors include six children, Raymond of Seattle, Cecil of Ogden, Utah, Martin of Ritzville, Robert of Seattle, Rena Franks of Spokane and Melvin Eugene, who was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Helme on the death of his mother. Other survivors are four grandsons, Verlin and Gary of Ritzville, and Gordon and Norman of Seattle; two granddaughters, Marin and Julie of Ritzville; a brother, Everett of Bowling Green, Mo.; and a sister, Mrs. Margaret Griffith of Washtucna. Danekas and Duncan funeral home is in charge of arrangements. Burial will be in the Washtucna cemetery. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, October 25, 1950 Waitress Death In Hotel Here Marked Suicide A Ritzville waitress was found hanged in a hotel restroom Wednesday evening. County Prosecutor Edward G. Cross prounced the death a suicide. The body of Judy Newton, 35, was found hanging from an iron archway in a second floor restroom at the Hotel Davis about 10:45 p.m. Several notes were found in Mrs. Newton's room at the Davis expressing thanks to friends in Ritzville for their kindness to her. The notes gave no motive for the suicide. Friends said, however, that Mrs. Newton had recently started divorce proceedings and had been despondent over that and other matters. Papers in her room identified her husband as L. D. Newton of Seattle and her mother as Mrs. F. O. Newton, also of Seattle. Mrs. Newton's 15-year-old daughter, Betty Lou Tyler, has been in a Spokane institution for girs. Elliott Services Held On Monday WASHTUCNA - Funeral services for Thomas Elliott, 71, were held Monday at the Washtucna Community church with the Rev. A. K. Walborn officiating. Danekas and Duncan funeral home were in charge of arrangements. Burial was in the Washtucna cemetery. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, November 2, 1950 Judy Newton Rites Held Wednesday Funeral services for Mrs. Judy D. Newton, 34, Ritzville waitress who committed suicide last week were held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Danekas and Duncan funeral home chapel. The Rev. F. J. Ahrendt officiated. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Mrs. Newton was survived by a daughter, Betty Lou Tyler of Spokane and her husband, Lawrence B. Newton of Las Vegas, Nev. Othello Railroad Man Dies at 46 OTHELLO - Sam M. Pessein, 46, machinist and roundhouse foreman of the Milwaukee railroad at Othello died suddenly at his home Tuesday. The body is in the Danekas and Duncan funeral home in Ritzville. Funeral arrangements have not been announced. Mr. Pessein was a member of the Paul Revere Lodge No. 205 F. and A.M., Othello chapter of Eastern Star and the Machinists' union. Survivors include his widow, Edith, and a daughter, Jacqueline, both of Othello; two brothers, Caesar of Seattle and Julian of Montana; and six sisters, Mrs. Annie Gouchenour of Montana; Mrs. Grace Sheridan and Mrs. Helen Wilkerson, both of Wishram, Wash.; Mrs. Bessie Ferguson and Mrs. Cecilia Voight, both of Seattle; and Mrs. Sarch Suko of Beverly. His mother, Mrs. Virginia Pessein of Seattle also survives. Ralston Pioneer, Fred Fifield, Dies in Michigan City BERKLEY, Mich. - Fred Fifield, 73, who lived at Ralston, Wash., from 1909 until 1932, died suddenly of a heart attack Oct. 18 in Berkley, where he has resided since moving from Ralston. Mr. Fifield had been in good health and was to have been retired Dec. 1 from the Consumers Power company, where he was employed as a building maintenance man. Born in 1877 at North Branch, Mich., Mr. Fifield came west at the age of 10 with his parents. They lived at Bemis until 1909 when they moved to Ralston. Mr. Fifield was married to Anne Elizabeth Freeman on Dec. 1, 1903. Besides the widow three children survive - Ernest of Berkley, Elton of Berkley and Mrs. Wilma Dillon of Unionville, Mich. Also surviving are five grandchildren and one great-grandchild; two sisters, Mrs. Lina Valentine of Oxford, Mich., and Mrs. Ada Bailey of Greenacres, Wash.; and two brothers, Clarence of Spokane and Arch of Ritzville. Funeral services were held at the Sawyer funeral home in Berkley, a suburb of Detroit. The Rev. Franklin Olga of the Edwardsburg, Mich., Presbyterian church officiated. Rev. Olga is the husband of the former Ethel Weston, Connell, formerly of Lind. Burial was in the Roseland Park cemetery in Berkley. Funeral Is Held For MRs. Hilzer Funeral services for Mrs. Dora Hilzer, who died Oct. 19 at the Ritzville General hospital, were held Monday, Oct. 23, in the Lutheran church with the Rev. F. J. Ahrendt officiating. Mrs. Hilzer, who was 33, had lived in Ritzville 13 years. Survivors include her husband, Jake; two daughters, Marline and Sharon; her mother, Mrs. John Nave of Richland, Ore.; and six sisters, Mrs. Roy Johnston of Washtucna, Mrs. Ormin Ballard of Pondosa, Ore.; Mrs. L. C. Raley of Baker, Ore.; Miss Betty Nave and Mrs. Don Browne, both of Richland, Ore.; and Mrs. Clarence Newmann of Portland. Two brothers, Claus and Walter Nave, both of Richland, also survive. Mrs. Hilzer was a member of the Emanuel Lutheran church and the Eagles' Auxiliary. Burial was in the Lutheran cemetery. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, November 9, 1950 Funeral This Friday for Henry Oestreich Funeral services were to be held at 2 p.m. Friday for Henry Oestreich, pioneer resident who died Wednesday morning in the Ritzville General hospital. The rites will be held in the Philadelphia Congregational church with burial in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. A complete obituary will be published next week. Rites Held for Mrs. Williams Funeral services were to be held at 2 p.m. Thursday for Mrs. Anna Mary Williams, who died Sunday night in Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane. The Rev. Alfred Carter was to officiate at the rites in Trinity Methodist church with burial in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Born in Minnesota in 1883, Mrs. Williams had lived in this area for the past 37 years. She and her husband, Sylvester J., who survives, moved to Ritzville from their ranch west of here several years ago. Mrs. Williams was a member of the Methodist church and the Rebekah lodge. Other survivors include a daughter, Mrs. Esther Bailey of Cordova, Alaska; five sons, Clifford of Spokane, Walter of Phoenix, Ariz., Glenn of Seward, Alaska, Arthur of Ilwaco and Burton of St. Louis, Mo. Mrs. Williams was also survived by a sister, Emma Aherin of Odessa; a brother, Frank Vostral of Scappose, and three grandchildren. Funeral is Held for John Arnst Final rites for John Jacob Arnst, a machinists at Centennial Flouring Mills for many years, were conducted Monday afternoon at the Zion Congregational church with the Rev. Peter Ruder officiating. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Mr. Arnst died Friday at the home of his daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Werttenberger, where he had been living. He was a member of the Zion Congregational church. Born in Russia, Mr. Arnst had been in the United States 52 years and in this area for the past 49 years. Three other daughters survive - Mrs. Mary Pauley of Outlook, Mrs. Katie Kister of Spokane and Mrs. Anna Thurman of Yakima. Survivors also include two sons, John Arnst and George Arnst, both of Ritzville, 25 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, November 16, 1950 Rites Held for Oestreich, Veteran of Covered Wagon Funeral services were conducted last Friday for Henry Oestreich, Adams county pioneer who came west in a covered wagon. Mr. Oestreich had died the previous Wednesday at Ritzville General hospital, where he had been a patient for the previous six weeks. He was 86 years old at the time of his death. Mr. Oestreich was born in Russia on May 15, 1864. At the age of 12 he came to American with his family, settling in Franklin county, Neb. Three years later he moved to Culbertson, Neb. The Oestreich family joined a caravan of about 40 covered wagons in 1882, making the long overland trip to the blossoming frontier country at Walla Walla. The following year, Mr. Oestreich moved to Bickleton, Wash., and in 1890 he came to Adams county where he purchased two quarters of railroad land six miles northwest of Ritzville. Married in 1891 The following year he was married to Katherine Bauer. Had he lived until June 19, 1951, the couple would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. After farming 12 years, the family moved into Ritzville where Mr. Oestreich began working in the implement department of the Ritzville Trading company. He was employed by the Trading company, and was a member of the board of directors for the next 30 years - until 1941, when he retired. Mr. Oestreich was a charter member of the Philadelphia Congregational church where he served as treasurer and also as trustee for a number of years. At the time of his death he was the oldest member of the church. Pallbearers Lister The funeral services were conducted at the church Friday afternoon with the Rev. H. Neutzmann and the Rev. P. Ruder officiating. Pallbearers were Mike Thiel, Henry Bauer, William Bauer, George Adler, David Hoefel and Con Pfenning. A male quartet sang two numbers. Mr. Oestreich was survived by his widow, two sons, William M. of Ritzville and Roy of Ralston; three daughters, Mrs. Martha Braune of Yakima, Mrs. Laura Gaiser of Salem, Ore., and Mrs. Dorothy Rogel of Ritzville; 11 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Bierman Funeral Is Held Monday Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 13, for Henry W. Bierman, 58, who died the previous Thursday at his home two miles east of Ritzville. Mr. Bierman was born and raised in Ritzville and had lived here all his life. He was a member of the IOOF lodge, Eagles, C. J. Newland American Legion Post and the Lutheran church. Survivors include five sisters, Mrs. Ardell Dryden of Ellensburg, Mrs. Dena Miller and Mrs. Mabel Lehman of Portland, Mrs. Edward Surfus of Eugene, Ore., and Mrs. Roy Smith of Salem; three brothers, W. A. Bierman, R. A. Bierman and Edward Bierman, all of Ritzville. The funeral was held in the Lutheran church with the Rev. F. J. Ahrendt officiating. The Legion post conducted graveside rites at the Lutheran cemetery. Funeral Is Set for Mrs. Miller Funeral services for Katherine Miller, who died Nov. 14 in the Ritzville General hospital, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, at the Zion Congregational church. The Rev. Peter Ruder will officiate. Burial will be in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Mrs. Miller was born in Kolb, Russia, on Sept. 26, 1874. She had lived in the United States 50 years and in the Ritzville area for the past 33. Survivors include her husband, George, of the home; five sons, Henry of Spokane, Alexander and Frank of Ritzville, George, jr., of Tacoma and John of Portland, Ore.; a sister, Mrs. Adam Schleining; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Mrs. Miller was a member of the Zion Congregational church and the Senior Ladies' Aid. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in charge of arrangements. Funeral Is Held for Mrs. Heider SEDRO-WOOLLEY - Funeral services for Mrs. Mollie Heider, 45, who had many friends in the Adams county area, were held Oct. 28 at the Bethlehem Lutheran church here with the Rev. Arthur Holst officiating. Burial was in the Sedro-Woolley cemetery. Mrs. Heider died at her home Oct. 25. She had been a resident of this community for the past 28 years. Mrs. Heider was born April 25, 1905, in Russia but came to this country with her parents when she was two years old. She was a member of the Bethlehem Lutheran church of this city. She is survived by her husband, Curt; six children, Ray of Long Beach, Harold, Melvin and Janette Heider of Sedro Woolley; Mrs. Irene Jech of Seattle, and Mrs. Della Swanby of Auburn. Also four sisters, Mrs. Mary Fauser of Burlington and Mrs. Kate Sackmann, Mrs. Lena Sackmann and Mrs. Amelia Heider of Sedro- Woolley and five grandchildren. Rites Held For Mrs. Simpson ODESSA - Funeral services for Mrs. Gerhardina Luiten Simpson, sister of Mrs. Emman Amen and Mrs. Lillian Burghard of Ritzville, were held Nov. 5 in the English Congregational church here with the Rev. R. H. Satterfield officiating. Burial was in the Odessa cemetery. Nephews acted as pallbearers, including Herbert Burghard, Fred Hilderbrandt, Walter and Loran Westerman, Kenneth Fisher and Alvin H. Luiten. Gehardina (Dena) Luiten was born in Glencoe, Minn., Aug. 14, 1873, where she spent her girlhood and came to Washington in 1891, where other members of the family had settled. In 1898 she took up her own homestead. In 1908 she married C. A. Simpson and she and her husband lived here until his death some years ago, after which she continued living in the family home. She is survived by four brothers, John, Pete and Alfred of Odessa, and William Luiten of Everett; four sisters, Mrs. Lizzie Fisher, Reardan; Mrs. Minnie Foote, Spokane; Mrs. Emma Amen and Mrs. Lillian Burghard. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, November 23, 1950 Funeral Held for George P. Yokom, Ex-Teacher Here MT. VERNON - Funeral services were conducted Oct. 25 for George P. Yokom, prominent rancher of the Mount Vernon community and a former school teacher in Ritzville. Mr. Yokom died the previous Monday at St. Elizabeth's hospital in Baker following a short illness. He was 69. Born Oct. 29, 1881, near Mason City, Iowa, Mr. Yokom moved with his parents to Springfield, Mo., and later to Coffeeville, Kan., before heading west. He settled in Lind, Wash., for several years, leaving Lind for Ritzville where he served as a school teacher. While teaching in Ritzville he met the former Miss Minnie Scheel. The two were married Nov. 28, 1904. The Yokoms moved from Ritzville to Spokane where Mr. Yokom served as a manager and operator of a farm loan agency for 11 years. In 1918 the Yokoms moved to a ranch near Mt. Vernon where they have resided ever since. Mr. Yokom served as a commissioner of Grant county from 1925 through 1932 and was a past master of both the Mt. Vernon and Pomona granges. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Minnie Yokom; a son, Orval D. Yokom of John Day; a daughter, Mrs. Evelyn Culp, John Day; his mother, Mrs. Nancy Yokom of Mt. Vernon; a brother, Charles Yokom, and a sister, Mrs. Mary Bailey, both of Mt. Vernon; and six grandchildren. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, November 30, 1950 None Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, December 7, 1950 None Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, December 14, 1950 Ex-Schrag Lady Dies in Oregon Mrs. Martha Eichelberg, longtime resident of the Schrag area, passed away in Portland, Ore., on Dec. 3. Mrs. Eichelberg had lived in the Schrag region from 1926 to 1940 when she moved to Portland where she had since made her home. Besides her husband, Alfred, she is survived by four sons, Wilbur, at home; Ed and Harold, Portland, Hugh, Gooding, Idaho; five daughters, Alma and Ellen at home, Ann Kaylor, Mauson, Wash.; Frieda Suko, Cle Elum, and Emma Klettke, Ritzville. Eleven grandchildren also survive. Burial was in the Rose City cemetery in Portland on Dec. 7, with the Rev. Oliver Ketterling officiating at the services. Funeral Held Monday for Mrs. Schmidt Catherine Schmidt died Friday, Dec. 8, at the Ritzville General hospital and was buried Monday after services in the Emanuel Lutheran church. The Rev. F. J. Ahrendt officiated. She is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Pauline Kiehn of Ritzville; Mrs. Clara Unger and Mrs. Frieda McCullough, both of Spokane; Mrs. Rosa Miessner of Chehalis, and Mrs. Viola Cox of Tacoma; four sons, William, Henry, Albert and Harold, all of Ritzville; two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Uhreich and Mrs. Anna Miller, both of Tacoma; 14 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She was a member of the Ladies Aid of the Lutheran church and a member of the church. Interment was at the Lutheran cemetery in Ritzville. Stephen Hoke Dies In Othello OTHELLO - Mr. Stephen Hoke passed away Sunday evening of a heart attack. Mr. Hoke had gone to the Christian church to attend the heating system before evening services. He was found by Mrs. John Creger and Mrs. J. Bracken. Mr. Ron Drake was called and started with him to Moses Lake but Mr. Hoke passed away before they arrived at Moses Lake. Mr. Hoke had lived in this community for a number of years. He was born in Bakersfield, Calif., on Feb. 28, 1876, and was a lifelong member of the Christian church. He is survived by his sisters, Mrs. Teelie Knepper, Othello, with whom he made his home, and one brother, Clarence Hoke of Berkeley, Calif. Funeral arrangements will be made later. Burial will be held at Clarkston, Wash., beside his wife. Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, December 21, 1950 None Ritzville Journal-Times, Thursday, December 28, 1950 Funeral Is Held for Marcus Thom Funeral services for Marcus Thom, 88, Ritzville area pioneer who died Dec. 21 at his home, were held Tuesday at the Zion Congregational church with the Rev. Peter Ruder officiating. Burial was in Ritzville Memorial cemetery. Thom was born in Germany on Nov. 18, 1862. He had been in the United States 64 years and in this area 48 years. Survivors include the widow, Margaretha, at the home; three daughters, Mrs. Alvina Horch and Bertha Thom, both of Spokane; and Mrs. Alma Schafer of Ritzville; and three sons, Peter of Hope, Idaho, and Edward and Walter, both of Ritzville. Thom was also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Alvina Brandt of Waterville, Idaho, and Mrs. Anna Flygare of Connell; two brothers, Hans of Moore, Mont.; and Peter of Idaho; 19 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Thom was a member of the Zion Congregational church. Danekas and Duncan funeral home was in full charge of arrangements.