Ritzville Alumni Association

Iris Schwisow Heider, Class of 1935

Howard Bourne — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:23:11 +0000

HEIDER, Iris (Age 92) Our beloved mother was born on October 15, 1917 on a farm in the Carico Hills east of Ritzville. Born to Anna and Frank Schwisow, she was one of five children. She graduated from Ritzville High School in 1935. Shortly after graduation, she worked for Adams County in the Assessors office and was deputy assessor until her marriage to Alvin Heider in 1955. They farmed east of Lind and had two children, Brad and Wendy. Brad continues to farm there. The great love in Iris’ life was music. She played piano with the Alumni Jazz band when she was younger, and was organist for Good Hope Lutheran Church for over 40 years. She enjoyed accompanying with piano or organ the many festive affairs in the community. She enjoyed the companionship of many good friends over the years in Lind. She especially enjoyed the Ladies Bridge Club and being involved in community clubs. She also enjoyed playing golf in her younger years. Iris is survived by her son Brad and wife Pam of Lind, and daughter Wendy and husband Martin of Bellevue. She is also survived by her siblings Phyllis Ziemer of Davenport, Lois Seaburg of Tacoma, and Donny Schwisow of Ritzville. She was preceded in death by her brother Fred Schwisow and husband Alvin Heider in May 2009. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Ritzville Life Care, and the Rose Garden, for their loving care of Iris. Your extraordinary care of our mother was appreciated. Memorial Services are to be held Saturday, June 26 at 11:00 am, at Good Hope Lutheran Church in Lind. Memorial contributions are suggested to Good Hope Lutheran Church in Lind. Condolences may be left at www.danekasfuneralhome.org Danekas Funeral Home and Crematory-Ritzville is entrusted with arrangements.

Verna Caroline (Schwisow) McKinley, Class of 1930

Howard Bourne — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 04:22:57 +0000

McKINLEY, Verna Caroline (Schwisow) (Age 97) Passed away June 19, 2010. She was born January 6, 1913 in Ritzville to Herman and Carrie Moeller Schwisow. She joined two brothers, Milton and Harry. Her sister, Beatta, was born eight years later. She graduated from Ritzville High School and attended the State College of Washington for one year. During the World War II years, Verna worked as a Junior Aircraft Gyro Instrument Repairer for the Army Air Forces at Geiger Field in Spokane. She had the honor of being the highest paid female mechanic in her department; at one time she earned $.94 an hour. Verna married Paul McKinley on September 17, 1944 in Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville. While they lived on Vashon Island, Verna worked for the local telephone company as an operator. In 1950, they moved to Grandview, Washington. There Verna worked for nine years for the phone company; first as an operator and then as an office manager. During that time she found that with a few pins, needle and thread, she could make a garment fit and look better. She left her phone job and became an accomplished seamstress. In June of 1972, her husband Paul died and Verna moved back to Ritzville; where she took care of her parents for seven and a half years. After their deaths, Verna continued on as a seamstress for many years. She and her sister Beata took many trips throughout the U.S. and Europe. Verna was an accomplished musician and helped with church music as an organist and pianist wherever she lived. Verna was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, two brothers and a sister. She is survived by one nephew, Del (Carol) Schwisow of Ritzville, and two nieces: Barbara Schwisow of Ritzville and Karen Miles of O’Fallon, IL. Visitation will be Thursday June 24, 2010 from 12 Noon to 5 PM at DANEKAS FUNERAL HOME-RITZVILLE. Funeral Services will be Friday June 25, 2010 at 2 PM at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville with Interment at Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery. A dessert social will be provided by the family at the church following the Interment. Memorial contributions are suggested to: Emanuel Lutheran Church Memorial Fund for Scholarships at 206 S Division, Ritzville or RHS Alumni Scholarship Fund P O Box 312, Ritzville. Condolences may be left at www.danekasfuneralhome.org

Dorothy Krause Stromberger, Class of 1941

Howard Bourne — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:22:11 +0000

STROMBERGER, Dorothy Margaret (Krause) (Age 86) Passed away in her sleep April 28, 2010 at home in Ritzville, WA. The daughter of Ernest and Wilhelmina (Thom) Krause, she was born May 3, 1923 in Ritzville. She is survived by four daughters: Beth Ann (Lee) Insko, Elgin OR, Joan (Ray) Schmitt, Sprague, WA, Mary Kaye (Roger) Klein, Edwall, WA, Amy Jo Galbreath, Ritzville, and one son Raymond (Tina) Stromberger, Ritzville, 17 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur, 1983, her siblings: Evelyn Langenheder Keuter, 2005, Vernon and Milton Krause, in the flu epidemic of 1918, Norman Krause, 2001, and Robert Krause, who drowned in Sprague Lake 1942. Viewing will be Thursday, May 6th at noon to 5 PM at Danekas Funeral Home, Ritzville. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, at Emanuel Lutheran Church in Ritzville with refreshments following. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity or organization of your choice. DANEKAS FUNERAL, RITZVILLE, is caring for the family. Condolences may be left at www.danekasfuneralhome.org

Doris Chargois Hahn, Class of 1922

Howard Bourne — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:49:28 +0000

We have been informed that our most senior alumnus, Doris Chargois Hahn from the Class of 1922, passed away on January 13, 2010. Doris lead a very full and active life and reportedly was still playing the piano the week before she passed away.

RHS Alumni Association is now on Facebook.

RHSAlumni — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 20:32:45 +0000

If you’re looking for another way to connect with RHS alumni, check out and join the group Ritzville Alumni Association on Facebook.

Evelyn Wellsandt Benzel, Class of 1932

Howard Bourne — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 03:17:47 +0000

Evelyn Wellsandt Benzel passed away on January 4, 2010 in Ritzville. Evelyn attend School District No. 27 though eighth grade and graduated from Ritzville High School in 1932.

She is survived by daughters Gwen Schaefer of Ritzville and Jeanne Englund (Gary) of Newman Lake, brother Kermit Wellsandt of Spokane, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren with 2 more on the way.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Zion Philadelphia UCC in Ritzville on Saturday, January 9, 2010 at 2 pm.

Condolences may be left at www.danekasfuneralhome.org.

Daniel “Boyd” Hille, Class of 1945

Howard Bourne — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 04:55:07 +0000

Daniel “Boyd” Hille passed away on December 22, 2009. He was born February 11, 1927 and grew up on the family farm near Ritzville. He graduated from Ritzville High School in 1945. He is survived by his 4 children – Mary (Reilly), Nancy, Scott, and Mitch, 12 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. Services will be held at DANEKAS FUNERAL HOME-RITZVILLE at 3pm on Saturday, December 26th.

Ron Knight name Toastmaster for 2010 Banquet

Howard Bourne — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:41:00 +0000

The 105th anniversary of the RHS Alumni Banquet will be held on May 29, 2010 at Gilson Gym in Ritzville. The doors will open at 5:30 with the dinner and program to begin at 6pm.

Ron Knight, Class of 1959, celebrated his 50 year reunion in 2009. His comment in his bio – “50 years WOW”. He holds a degree from the University of Washington in Business/Finance/Labor Relations. He worked in the construction industry for many years and held many elected posts in the Operating Engineers Union, including serving as president of the 10,000 plus membership.

He has 2 sons, Brent (spouse Melinda and their 2 sons, Payton and Rylie) and Ryan (spouse Carolyn). Ron retired in 1999 and spends much of his time traveling with his wife Carrie (Reimers, Class of 1963). He is also addicted to physical exercise and attends a gym 5 days a week.

Ron says he cherished his time in Ritzville, especially his school years. He often pulls out his annuals and recalls many wonderful times and old friendships. He especially enjoys reminiscing about Bronco football.

We are proud to have Ron serve as our toastmaster in 2010 and look forward to a fun and enjoyable evening seeing our long time friends. Make your plans to attend the 2010 Banquet. It will be an evening of good food, good friends, and a time to bring back some long forgotten memories.

Saturday, May 29, 2010 Gilson Gym

Charlotte Niendam Broers

Howard Bourne — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 02:49:00 +0000

Charlotte Niendam Broers, Class of 1968, died Saturday, December 5, 2009 at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. A memorial service will be held at the Coulee Dam Town Hall, 300 Lincoln Ave, on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at noon.

Ilene “Meme” Benzel Ellsworth, Class of 1940

Howard Bourne — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:40:00 +0000

Ilene “Meme” Benzel Ellsworth, Class of 1940, passed away on November 17, 2009. She lived in Indianapolis, IN at the time of her death.
Funeral services were held on November 19 with Leppert Mortuary in charge of arrangements. To read her obituary, go to www.leppermortuary.com.