Roberta Haire

Roberta Haire, 88, of Ellensburg, passed away on Wednesday, April 5, 2023 at the Prestige Care & Rehab Center in Ellensburg.  A memorial service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12, 2023 at Johnston & Williams Funeral Home in Ellensburg.  She will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at High Valley Memorial Park.

Roberta was born on June 29, 1934 in Ellensburg, Washington to Jack & Mabel (Jones) Ness.  She spent her early years growing up in logging camps out in the Liberty area before the family moved “into town” to Ellensburg where Roberta would graduate from Ellensburg High School in 1952.

In 1953, Roberta enlisted in the United States Navy where she received her training as a Registered Nurse before her honorable discharge. She met Charles Russell “Russ” Haire at a social function and the two hit it off, eventually marrying on April 27, 1957.  Because Russ was a career naval officer, the couple moved frequently as duty assignments changed. Roberta fulfilled the role of “military wife” very well – supporting her husband and raising their three children - Richard, April and Robert.

Over the years, the Haire family lived in Washington, Illinois, Connecticut, South Carolina and even internationally in Taiwan and twice in Spain, relocating almost every year.  In 1975, Russ retired from the Navy as a Lt. Commander and the family settled down in Ellensburg or, as Roberta called it, they “moved home”.  Even though Ellensburg was considered home, she and Russ would spend ample time together, hooking up their camper and heading west to the beach – time she very much enjoyed.

It was after returning to Ellensburg that Roberta completed the additional education required to earn her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) designation, working for many years at the Taylor Richardson Clinic before retiring from nursing, due only to an injury, in the early 1980’s.  She then went on to own and operate “The Shoppe”, a women’s clothing store in downtown Ellensburg before officially “retiring” in the early 1990’s.

Roberta always liked to keep busy.  She was an avid bowler and for many years organized some of the bowling leagues.  Even when her health prevented her from bowling, she kept involved with the bookkeeping. She traveled to many bowling tournaments, enjoying the bowling and her bowling family.  She also spent many hours quilting, making many beautiful creations for the “Quilts of Valor” program and other local charities.  She also gave freely of her time volunteering with many different community organizations including the Clymer Museum and Relay for Life. Roberta was also presented with a letter signed by former President Obama for her 4000 hours of volunteerism.  She was also a longtime member of the Ellensburg Rodeo Top Hands. 

Roberta is survived by her children Richard (Sarah) Haire of Henderson, Nevada;  April (Mike) Talley of Chelan, Wash; and Robert (Jennifer) Haire of Herald, California;  grandchildren Amber, Elizabeth and Russell; great-grandchildren Denali, Maycee and Elizabeth; and her sister Paula (Dale) Simpson of Ellensburg, along with numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents and husband, Roberta was preceded in death by her granddaughter Sabrina Talley; brother John Ness and sister Cassie Johnson.

Memorial contributions in Roberta’s honor are suggested to the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org

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