Charl Davenport Schuster
Charl Davenport Schuster, 85, of Goldendale, died Dec. 16, 2009.
She was born Nov. 11, 1924, to Paul and Sylvia (Yeackel) Davenport in Yakima. At that time, her father worked in Yakima as an automobile mechanic.
Charl and her brother, Jack, attended parochial school in Yakima. When she was 12, the family moved to Goldendale, where her father returned to his family ranch on Hoctor Road. She graduated from Goldendale High School in 1943.
In 1945, Charl married Art Schuster of nearby Pleasant Valley. Charl's mother-in-law, Alma, was one of the best cooks in the area, so Charl worked to overcome her culinary deficiencies and become a good cook also.
In the 1940s and '50s, Art and Charl were busy with their family and establishing their Hereford cattle herd. The Pleasant Valley Grange was the hub of that community, and both Charl and Art were active members. They were also active in County Cattlemen and Cowbelle groups.
A very creative person, Charl enjoyed painting, refinishing furniture, decorating, and antiques. Her artistic flair was evident in her home décor, landscaping, and floral arrangements. She was also an avid reader; Angela's Ashes was her favorite book.
As the years passed, she and Art became active in cattlemen's activities on the state and national level. She usually accompanied Art to meetings and enjoyed the travel. The high point of her year was attending the National Cattlemen's convention.
Her involvement with the Presby Museum was a natural. She especially enjoyed county history and antiques and designing displays. The museum's booth at the county fair was a very important project for her.
Charl was preceded in death by infant granddaughter Chanda in 1985; her brother in 1988; and husband Art in 2003.
She is survived by her three children, Craig (Dona) Schuster of Goldendale, Crystal (Ernie) Holmes of Arlington, Ore., and Brett Schuster of Goldendale. She dearly loved her six grandchildren.
Charl is also survived by her sisters-in-law, Bea Miker and Ruth Davenport, both of Goldendale; and nieces and nephews. There are also dozens of cousins from the Yeackel and Davenport families.
A memorial service for Charl will be held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28, at Columbia Hills Memorial Chapel in Goldendale. Memorial suggested: Klickitat County Historical Society or the Washington Cattlemen's Endowment Fund.
