Eileen Stougard

Eileen Stougard passed away on December 16, 2021 after a short illness. She was born in Granger, Washington on September 10, 1932 and moved to Ellensburg in high school, making Ellensburg her home for the rest of her life. Her beloved husband, Jim, her daughter Pam Bennett, and son, Mike Stougard preceded her in death. 

Eileen treasured her family and her place in it-wife, mother, sister, daughter, grandmother and great grandmother. In her youth raising a family of four, she packed the food and boat and took the kids water skiing and camping with Jim and their friends. She sewed her kids their clothes, sometimes to their dismay and raised and canned enough food in her garden to see the family through the year. She also played golf and did water aerobics into her eighties, always with friends, as much for the companionship as the activity. She had a love of dogs - hers and anyone else’s - too.

Fiercely independent up to her last days, Eileen continued her passion for travel she had shared with her husband, traveling with family and to see family scattered around the country, and with her many friends old and new around the US and abroad, and her church family, exploring with them, Israel, Rome and Turkey.

Eileen had a love of cooking that was as much about sharing the good food she made as those who needed to be fed. At the church bazar, social events, card games with friends, visiting her kids and grands, bringing family favorite cookies, or to anyone who was ill in her circle.

She passed many of these loves of hers onto her kids and grandkids, cooking, gardening, growing things just for beauty, love of the water, and animals, a commitment to helping others.

She is survived by her sister, Jean Foley of Arizona, her daughter, Charlene and Sam Finn, grandchildren, Josh and Leah Finn; daughter Jeannie and Dave Larberg and grandchild Samantha Larberg; grandchildren Kayla Carlson, Mylissa Schaefer, Aaron Bennett, Nicole Bennett and Mykenna Stougard. In addition, she has 11 thriving great-grandchildren.

She will be deeply missed.

A memorial service celebrating Eileen’s life will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, 2022 at the Ellensburg Presbyterian Church, 1307 E 3rd Ave, Ellensburg, WA 98926.

Memorial contributions in Eileen’s honor are suggested to the Washington or National Multiple Sclerosis Societies, supporting research and cures for MS.

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Eileen and her family.  Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com