All Obituaries

The Reverend Christianne L. McKee, age 70, passed away on Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at Pacifica Senior Living Center in Ellensburg after a long-standing struggle with early onset Alzheimer’s disease.  She died peacefully with her wife at her side.  She was surrounded by the love of family and friends – both near and far – during her last days. Christianne was born on June 10, 1953 in Fort Worth, TX to Marvin and Christianne Behnke McKee.  She was the oldest...

Mary Ellen (Nance) Richards, 90, passed away on December 1, 2023 peacefully in her hometown of Ellensburg, Washington. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 10, 2024 at High Valley Cemetery. Mary was born on November 6, 1933 in Shobonier, Illinois to Mabel (Albert) and Tommy Nance. In 1948 Mary, with her parents and brother, Jim, ventured to Kittitas County and homesteaded their farm on Orchard Road.  Mary graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1951 and worked...

Janice Springsteen of Ellensburg, WA passed away peacefully at home on April 20, 2024.  She is survived by her husband, Fredrick Springsteen, daughter, Megan Dickinson (husband, Jared Dickenson) and grandchildren, Lily and Miles Dickenson.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg.

Joe E. Lorenz, 90, of Cle Elum, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at his home. He will be laid to rest with military honors in a private service at Tahoma National Cemetery. Joe was born on November 7, 1933 in Emporia, Kansas. He spent a few years as a baby in Kansas before his family moved west to California, and it was primarily northern California where he grew up and attended school.  In 1951, Joe left high school and enlisted in the United States Air Force and served during...

Mrs. Frances Katherine (Glondo) Divelbiss, a lifetime Roslyn resident, passed away on Saturday, April 13, 2024 surrounded by her loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 20, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Roslyn with committal to follow at the Roslyn Veterans Cemetery. A reception will follow at the Roslyn Masonic Hall (same building as the Roslyn post office). The Rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Friday, April 19 also at...

Michael W. Grunden, age 76, passed away on March 26, 2024, surrounded by family and friends after a short battle with cancer. A beloved husband and father, Mike is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Sheryl Grunden; and their children Ashley Snow (Sean Snow) and Brady Grunden (Heather Grunden). Mike’s youngest sister Cindy Barillas lives in California and his nephew Michael Pollardo in Western Washington. Mike was preceded in death by his parents Hayden and...

Susan Marie Fought passed away Thursday, March 21, 2024, on her 55th birthday, after a brave and courageous battle with cancer with her family by her side. Susie was born on March 21, 1969 in Moses Lake, Washington to Clyde V. Fought and Linda J. Moore.  Susie went to school in Othello, Washington and later moved to Oregon.  During her time in Oregon she worked many years in retail and later earning her associate’s degree, graduating from pharmacy school as a pharmacy...

Burt Brian Okitsu, 56, passed away at his home in Cle Elum on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 with family at his side. A celebration of his life will be held from Noon-2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at the Cle Elum Eagles.  Burt was born on July 26, 1967 in Auburn, Washington and graduated from Lake Washington High School in Kirkland in 1985. In his younger years he enjoyed baseball, cycling (even riding in the STP “once”);  fishing and camping all over the Pacific...

Karen Diane Krahenbuhl, longtime Cle Elum resident, passed away on Monday, March 18, 2024 at 79 years old. Her funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 28, 2024 at the Roslyn Presbyterian Church with committal to follow at Laurel Hill. A reception will follow the committal at the Centennial Center starting at 1:00 p.m. Karen was born on October 16, 1944 in Tacoma, Washington to Andrew & Dora (Dana) Rakos.  She grew up in Auburn where she attended school,...

Charles Terrence Weidenbach, age 78, died suddenly on March 17, 2024 at home in Ellensburg, Wash. after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and a longtime Ellensburg hay farmer.  Charles “Terry” was born March 9, 1946 in Brooklyn, NY to Ardene Troxell Malta and her husband, Charles Malta. Several months later, Ardene and baby Terry moved to Whidbey Island, Wash. to live with his grandparents John and...