Beatrice A. Elmer
Beatrice A. Elmer, 84, died Oct. 17, 2009.
She was born Nov. 2, 1924, in Port Angeles, to Leonard Warren and Bernice Anna (Smiley) Koch.
After the death of her father in 1937, she moved with her family to Ridgefield. She graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1943.
After a six-week courtship, she married Ivan S. Elmer on July 31, 1946, in Vancouver, Wash. They moved to Trout Lake in the fall of that year where they made their home.
Beatrice and Ivan operated a small dairy farm in the Trout Lake valley for many years, where they raised their five children. After Ivan retired from farming in 1978, they enjoyed berry picking, yard sales, playing cards, but mostly they both enjoyed making quilts and sewing. Beatrice made many quilts over the years, many of which included embroidery work, for which she spent many hours in creating the blocks.
Those who knew her readily testify that Beatrice rarely complained about anything and never said a cross word about anyone.
Beatrice was a member of the Trout Lake Grange, American Legion Auxiliary, and the Trout Lake Quilters. She also participated in the Trout Lake Saturday Market for many years, where she enjoyed visiting with her neighbors and fellow-crafters.
Beatrice moved to Hawk's Ridge Assisted Living Center in Hood River in 2002. After her health declined, she moved to Goldendale to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Jay Christensen, where she continued to live until her death.
Beatrice was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ivan, and her brother Loyd.
She is survived by her brother Frank Koch of Hauser, Ore.; and her children, Michael of Underwood; her daughter and son-in-law, Phyllis and Jay Christensen of Goldendale; her son Phillip, of Goldendale; her daughter and son-in-law Ella and Mark Stivers of Eugene, Ore.; and her son Jeffrey and his partner Keith Sullivan of Portland; grandchildren, Donna (Waters) Flores of Portland, Anna Waters of Vancouver, David Stivers and wife Kate Newell, and Jonathan Stivers of Savannah, Ga., Josh and Christy Christensen of Goldendale, and great-grandchildren, Emily and Kammeron Christensen of Goldendale, and Emma Waters of Vancouver.
A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Trout Lake Grange from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Her ashes will be interred in Trout Lake Cemetery beside Ivan's.
Memorials in Beatrice's name may be given to the Trout Lake Grange, the Trout Lake Community Foundation, the American Stroke Foundation, or the Klickitat Valley Health Hospice of Goldendale.
Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel of Goldendale is handling arrangements.
