Wilma R. Everett just shy of her 90th birthday, passed away in the evening, July 5, 2011 at Riverside Manor in Selah. She was born August 20, 1921 in Grand Island, Nebraska. She was one of 5 children born to Alfred L. & Esther R. Wendt.
She was lived on the family farm in Elm Creek, Nebraska until the family moved to Wapato, Washington in her Jr. year of high school. She graduated from Wapato High School in 1939 and worked as a nanny in Yakima until her marriage to O.L. Everett (Orv).
Wilma and Orville L. Everett were married in Yakima August 22, 1941. They moved to Seattle and Orv worked for Boeing and served in the Air Force. Wilma worked in a hospital before the first of their 2 children were born. In 1947 they moved back to the Yakima Valley and settled in Toppenish. Orv started Orv’s Appliance & Repair and was in business until his retirement & Wilma became his partner in business & in life.
The family grew to include 8 girls and 2 boys. Wilma was a consummate mother. She was always sewing for her girls, planning a trip to the beach or museum, making a picnic for a day trip or just passing on her love of reading & quest for knowledge. He cooking ability was legend and the food prepared in her small kitchen was terrific unless you count the Asparagus soup she tried to explain as “so healthy”.
As the children grew up and left she and dad found time for great train trips to see family, yard sales, musical events, and visits to grandchildren. Mom also had more time to read, read, read.
After Orv passed in 1996 mom found time for the Red Hat Society, Germans from Russia, an Accent Tour Group, and the Toppenish Mural Society.
Wilma was preceded in death by her husband Orv, of 55 years, her four siblings and her parents. She is survived by her children; Linda (Don) Schlueter of Genesee, ID., Elleen (Joe) Veals of Poulsbo, Susan (John) Herdrich of Selah, Gwen (Gary) Erickson of Wenatchee, Steve (Kathy) Everett of Vancouver, Beverly (Terry) Cooley of Toppenish, Rita (David) Hausken of Rock Island, Tamra (Ken) Wnuck of Phoenix, AZ., Julie (Ron) Frazier of East Wenatchee and Shawn (Charito) Everett of Zillah. She also is survived by 15 Grandchildren & 20 great Grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday July 9, at the Zillah City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Toppenish Historical Society, 300 Fort Rd. Toppenish, WA. 98948. Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah is in care of the arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.valleyhillsfh.com
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