Spouse:

I waited to almost the last minute to fill this out. Wanted to write very positive things. It was Spring KOVE 1963 at the ERC and Mary Ann Lee's 16th Birthday. There was a birthday party before KOVE and then we all were to bring someone back after KOVE for ice cream sundaes. That night was the first time we were together. He drove me home gave me a very fast kiss good night and almost pushed me out the door. It was the beginning of our ups and downs in our dating life.

Ben's car accident was a week later. In October of 1964 we started dating, going together or something. We were off and on until September 14, 1968 we were married. 47 years of married memories. Ben passed away January 3, 2015, after a battle with cancer Leukemia. The battles that man went through, what a strong willed person.

His memorial service was at the Community Church great tribute to him over 450 people in attendance. The strange thing is that we had a reception at ERC, were I first meet him and where I said final good byes. He was very proud that we were married for 47 years.

Family Life:

Feeling very blessed that we have been able to have our children live in Ephrata. Being able to attend all the important functions ball games, school programs and the all important dance recital. Grand daughters 5 of them and everyone of them beautiful. Oldest son Kevin has 2 girls Hannah 14 and Emma 11. Scott and Jen have 3 girls Laura 14 soon to be 15, Julia 12 and Kara 6 going on 15. Scott calls her Turbo always on the go. Each one of them are so different.

Military Service:

I didn't have military service. War stories yes, raising 2 boys with Ben the fun one. Finding a group of grade school boys huddled up behind the garage reading Play Boy magazines that they found hidden under the merry go round at the Columbia Ridge Park.

Ben response was that I was funny to watch being upset over it. Or the time we had a Chimney fire, Scott and his high school buddies climbed on the roof before the fire dept. got here and peed down the chimney. One of those boys is Ephrata's Fire Chief today.

Career:

Career, hummmm I worked in data processing at Washington Mutual Bank in downtown Seattle. Moved back to Ephrata to be close to Ben worked in data processing at the PUD when it was all just getting the dept. set-up. Got married went to work for Columbia Lightings new data processing dept. The equipment that I worked on has to be in a museum somewhere. Managed the Red Cross Office in Ephrata for a few years. Security Bank, Columbia Bank and now Washington Trust Bank all three the same bank. Had fun working there with several different duties. Classmates parents were a big part of our customers. Was able to keep up on what everyone was doing. Wore the hat of a volunteer in many capacities.

Residences:

We bought our home in 1971. 116 H Street SE Ephrata, WA It was a friendly well kept neighborhood. Two houses down from Columbia Ridge School. Don't think it was the same house that Sue Davis, Buz , Darrel Hogg ,may be others almost burned down in grade school. Can you believe it those sweet children snuck off the play ground, heading off for a smoke.

Travel:

Have had many great adventures in my mind. Lucky to taken some really nice vacations. 2007 we gave up the outhouse at our property on the Pend Oreille River by Usk north of Spokane. Now a proud owner of a three bedroom, TWO in door bathrooms home. It was hard to give up the trips down the trail hoping not to run into a skunk or step on a slug.

Hobbies/Interests:

As far as hobbies and fun...reinventing myself. Enjoy setting and watching the water go down the river or nothing is better than setting on the beach watching the water go in and out. Picking up a treasure off the beach. When watching the water, a gin and tonic with lime go really well with the occasion.

Retirement:

Retirement plans have been change. Ben and I planned on spending many hours at our river place. His great grandparents were homesteaders in that area, several cousins are still up there. That plan hasn't really changed. I have a trip to Sedona and points south planned this fall with a good friend.

Final Words:

My final words are I am sorry that I didn't really get to know my classmates. We have so many really special people in our class. I had very little confidence in myself and was wrapped up in my little life. In the last 50 years, after talking to several people, they felt the same way. Some of the classmates had it really rough and I thought they had it made in the shade. All kids that lived on Grandview Heights were rich. I don't know were I was don't having any amazing stories. If you have any amazing stories or exciting things that I might have done let me know. Fred, I wasn't at Banks Lake my parents wouldn't let me go. I missed out on all the fun!