Pioneer Memorial Services

David G. Finlay, 80, of Moses Lake, WA, passed away on February 20, 2023 at Samaritan Hospital in Moses Lake with his daughter at his side. He was well taken care of by the ICU Doctors and staff. David was born on November 6, 1942 in Salida, Colorado and grew up in the Sacramento area of California. David was preceded in death by his parents, Orville and Charlene Finlay.

David is survived by his brother, Wes Finlay, sister-in-law, Pat Finlay, daughter, Rudeen Larsen, son-in-law, Doug Larsen, granddaughter, Racyna Henson, her husband Caleb Henson, two great grandchildren, Ryker and Mayzi Henson, and Uncle, Aunt, and cousins from the Boring family. Out of high school, David joined the Navy in the early 60’s and enjoyed being a sailor on a submarine. In the Navy, he enjoyed being the only enlisted Navy sailor to play Bridge (cards) with the Navy Officer’s, in which he we won many games. He was great at counting cards! David married Linda Hoffman in December 1965 and they moved their family to Moses Lake in 1967. After moving to Moses Lake, he went to school to obtain his Electrical License. He worked for the IBEW 48 Union as a Journeyman Electrician. In the early 70’s he worked on the Alaska pipeline, Grand Coulee Dam on the Phase 3 power Project, and many other Union jobs. He retired after working 30 years with the union. While living in Moses Lake, he supported the athletic programs and the one that was his most favorite to support and watch was the Moses Lake High School wrestling back in the 1980’s. He also loved playing tennis and supporting his daughter in all her school tennis matches and tournaments. In his later years, David lived in an Adult Family Living Home and was well taken care of, as he had excellent care for many years by Penny Weber and Lori Thompson. He then spent these last few years at Summer Wood in Moses Lake and their staff also took great care of him. He had many stories to tell and the one he liked to tell the most was working for a company in New York that knew the Gambino family. David enjoyed spending the Holiday’s at his daughter’s
house with his family, the Henson’s and the Clarks. David will be missed by all who knew him.

Pamela Boole
December 28, 1944 – February 13, 2023
Moses Lake, Washington – Pam Boole was born to Alice and Costa Watts in Longview, Washington, on December 28th, 1944, and passed away peacefully on February 13th, 2023 in Moses Lake, WA. Pam was the middle child, with Colice her big sister, and Clyde the baby of the family. She graduated from RA Long High School, and soon after, she became an investigator for the Longview Police Department and subsequently worked on investigations with the Washington State Welfare Fraud Office. In 1994, she married Doug Boole and she became JuJu to all the grandchildren and great grandchildren that would join the family. In 2000, Pam and Doug retired, bought a truck and a fifth wheel, and joined all those other gray-haired people touring the US. On many of the trips they would invite a grandkid or two to join them on their adventures, and there might have been an occasional stop at a casino. Grandma was a lifelong seamstress who spent countless hours dressing grandchildren and taking Halloween costume orders. Hundreds of outfits were all made with enthusiasm and joy. In retirement, she perfected her quilting prowess, and those incredible quilts, those works of love, can be found in our homes in Washington and Oregon. Pam was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings, and her son-in-law, Demetrius. As she stated with a sly smile, she was the last one left, so no one could say her stories were untrue. She is survived by her husband Doug and their four children, Lisa Watts, Jean (David) Sawyer, Kelly (Jeff) Frederick, and Doug (Tana) Boole. She also leaves behind nine grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, all of whom will miss her dearly.

 Lanny H. Starr, 81, of Moses Lake, Wa, passed away on February 11, 2023 from longterm effects of diabetes. He died in his sleep as a patient of Central Washington Hospital in Wenatchee, Wa. Lanny was born on January 26, 1942, in Tremonton, Box Elder, Utah. He was the first son of Carl Henry and Nola Hopkins Starr. Lanny married Arlene (Smith) Starr on December 20, 1967, for time and all eternity in the Logan, Utah Temple. Lanny was a member of the Moses Lake 5th Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was a Vietnam Veteran of the US Army and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was also a scout and earned his Life Award. He encouraged seven grandsons to go the distance and earn their Eagle Scout Awards. Lanny retired as a Materials/Contract Manager from REC Silicon in Moses Lake, working hard his entire life to support a family. Surviving are his wife of Moses Lake, Arlene (Smith) Starr; three daughters and one son, Richelle Neal, Stefanie Giles, Angie Starr, and Gary Starr; 17 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren. Lanny was preceded in death by his father, Carl Starr; his mother, Nola Hopkins; one son, Craig Starr; and two sisters, Margene Starr and Sandra Chudy. Funeral services will be Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 10:00am, at the Moses Lake Grape Drive Chapel, 925 N. Grape Drive. A viewing will precede the funeral at 9:00am in the Relief Society Room for family and friends.  Interment will be at the Pioneer Memorial Gardens, 14403 Road 2 NE.

Peggy Justesen, age 94 long time Moses Lake resident passed away in her home on February 13, 2023 surrounded by her family. She was born in Plymouth, Utah on September 27, 1928 to William and Lenore Silvester and moved to Moses Lake with her husband and young family in 1954. She is survived by her brothers Ned Silvester and Bill Silvester and her children, Don (Linda) Justesen, Cheryl (John) Leeder, Gary (Gail) Justesen, Blaine (Ursula) Justesen, Karen Hiatt, Jim (Danielle) Justesen, Lynnette (David) Plate, along with 22 grandchildren, 48 great grandchildren, and 5 great great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Ray Justesen, grandson Stacy Pruett, granddaughter Stephanie Belnap, and son in law Vaughn Hiatt, as well as her brothers Clarence Silvester, Kyle Silvester and sister Sandra Birks.
Services will be on Saturday February 25, 2023 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located on 1515 S Division in Moses Lake. Family will greet guests at a viewing at 10am with funeral following at 11am. Interment will be at Pioneer Gardens. Services are in care of Kaysers Chapel of Memories.
The family wishes to give thanks to Hospice for the loving and compassionate care they gave, especially Jason and April. Thank you, thank you, thank you to her caregiver Angel Charlie!

David A Koenig died February 1, 2023, at his home in Wenatchee WA. He was born on October 12, 1939 in Brooten MN, the son of Walter and Ann Koenig. David moved with his family from Minnesota to Washington in 1955 and graduated in 1957 from Moses Lake high school. He then entered the US Navy and was trained as an electronic specialist. After leaving the Navy, he married Janet Minatani in 1962. They moved to Chelan WA where he worked for Douglas County PUD at the Wells dam project and retired in 1997. He was known for walking the streets of Chelan with his coffee.He is survived by his son Douglas and grandson Zachary, brothers James, Richard and Robert. He was proceeded in death by his wife of 52 years, parents and older brother, Walter Jr.Internment will be at Pioneer Memorial Gardens in Moses Lake WA on Saturday February 25, 2023 at 1:00 p.m.

Douglas Merrill Vorhies, Miles Douglass, Sluggo, born and raised in Spokane, passed in early summer. He was 64. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1973, graduated Machinist Mate “A” school and served abroad the USS Robert E. Peary in the Engineering Department as a propulsion engineer. His duty was the steam and desalinization system. After being honorably discharged in 1977, Douglas returned to the Spokane area. While using the G.I. Bill, he worked several different jobs while earning an associate’s degree in general business from Spokane Falls Community College in 1980. At a friend’s potluck in between studies, Douglas met Gloria Osumi. He was smitten and pursued Gloria with romance and humor. Gloria graduated and took a position in Tacoma. So, after graduating Douglas started with Sears in Tacoma. Douglas started wooing Gloria in earnest and by 1982, they married. In December 1984 Douglas and Gloria moved to Moses Lake. Douglas started working as a freelance videographer. Including stringing for Spokane TV stations. His work included industrial production, sports coverage, editing and directing. While working he started commuting to Spokane Falls CC to earn a second degree in radio and television production. Several of Douglas’ projects helped him graduate with honors, highlighted by producing the “Our Grand Old Lady, the Davenport Hotel” documentary for KREM-TV. In 1987 Douglas moved to Los Angeles. He joined the No. 1 radio show at KLOS, “The Mark and Brian Show,” as “Sluggo” on-air and being a producer and remote coordinator. Sluggo even made an appearance in the Rose Parade. This created opportunities to work on projects for famous folks, including video with Bob Newhart and Don Rickles for the Tonight Show. He also was a field producer for “Totally Hidden Video,” while editing video messages for retired President Reagan. Douglas and Gloria moved back to Moses Lake after the death of Gloria’s father, Fred Osumi, in 1998 to assist Gloria’s mother, Midori. Douglas took a job as news director for KULE AM/FM in Ephrata, then operations director for KZLN Othello. He was track announcer and did media relations for Ephrata Raceway. He worked for the Columbia Basin Herald as a sportswriter and photographer. Douglas worked to foster the creation of the Highway 17 Safety Corridor Project. He was recognized by the state Department of Transportation and the State Patrol with several awards. Douglas had a great love for cars and motorcycles. He enjoyed watching NASCAR, announcing the Othello Classic Car Spud Run and moderating a Suzuki owners forum. He built a bobber motorcycle featured in American Motorcyclist magazine. He worked on computers and enjoyed great music, humor, tinkering and animals. He was always there to help anyone. He liked to share what he knew and enjoyed teaching others who were interested. In an article, he was quoted as saying, “I believe that life is way too fun and we should learn one thing new everyday. So, personally, I plan to work and learn until I die.” He was a loving husband, brother, son and uncle and a great friend. Douglas is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Gloria; his siblings Ric, Tim, Wiley and Dennis; an aunt and many cousins, nephews and nieces. He is preceded in passing by his parents Merrill and Dorothy Vorhies, sister Kelli, and nephew Geoffrey Vorhies. Douglas loved their many pets and all animals. The family encourages memorial contributions of time or funds to be made to your local animal rescue shelter or adopt a rescue pet. Unconditional love is forever! A link for a memorial video including graveside military service will be posted on Gloria Vorhies’ Facebook page in early October.

April 25, 1929 – June 30, 2016

Phillip Krumm, Jr passed away peacefully with family at his side on June 30, 2016. He was born April 25, 1929 in Eaton, Colorado to Phillip Krumm, Sr. and Kathryn (Whittman) Krumm. An Honor Guard graveside service will be held at Pioneer Memorial Garden, 14403 Rd 2 NE, Moses Lake, Wash. on Wednesday, July 6 at 10 a.m. Phil was born on April 25, 1929 in Eaton, Colorado to Phillip Krumm, Sr. and Kathryn (Whittman) Krumm. He was the oldest child, and had two brothers Kenneth and Donovan Krumm. He married Agatha Seems before joining the United States Army in 1950, where he served as a Private First Class in the Infantry. He sustained serious injuries during the Korean conflict and was awarded a Purple Heart on Oct. 30, 1951 for his sacrifice and service to the United States. After his service discharge in 1953 Phillip, Agatha and their two children, son Phillip Daniel (Danny) and daughter Katherine moved to Anaconda, Mont. where Phillip worked briefly as a miner. In 1956, Phillip and his family moved to join his younger brother Kenneth (Kenny) in Moses Lake, Wash. to work at Dietzen’s Thriftway Market. He worked there until they closed down, then he moved on to be the produce manager for Buttrey’s Food Store until his retirement. Retirement meant traveling the United States in his RV, tinkering on cars (including his convertible Corvette) and dancing. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Moose Lodge. Phil was a very proud grandpa and great-grandpa. Phillip is survived by son Phillip Daniel (Dan) Krumm and wife Jeannette (Simpson) of Manson, Wash. and his daughter Katherine (Krumm) Yosting of Moses Lake, Wash.; grandchildren April (Krumm) Durham and husband Sam of Petaluma, Calif., Brent Krumm of Manson, Wash. and Matthew and wife Veronica (Peterson) Yosting of Honolulu, Hawaii. great-grandchildren Tanner, Cole and Langley Durham, Petaluma, Calif., Cody Krumm of Manson, Wash. and Isabella, Zachary and Killian Yosting of Honolulu, Hawaii. Phil was preceded in death by his wives Agatha (Seems) Krumm and Wilma (Ledbetter) Krumm; his parents Phillip Krumm and Kathryn (Whittman) Krumm of Greeley, Colo.; brothers Kenneth Krumm of Port Orchard, Wash. and Donovan Krumm of Greeley, Colo. and son-in-law Mark Yosting. Special thanks to Sarah and staff at Leah’s Retreat and Miriam and staff at Caring Cottage for providing a loving home for Phillip in his last few years. In lieu of flowers please make a donation in Phillip’s name to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to help fund a cure for type one diabetes or to the Veterans of Foreign War Foundation. Thank you to Susan at Pioneer Memorial Gardens for helping with all the arrangements.

Patrick Robert Acres, 76, of Moses Lake, passed away peacefully November 20, 2018 in Moses Lake, WA. He was born July 18, 1942 to John and Hattie Acres. He graduated from Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle in 1960. He was in the Army Reserve for two years after high school while attending Everett Community College. He graduated from Seattle University where he earned a degree in History. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1970. After passing the bar exam, Pat began his legal career at the Washington State Court of Appeals in Spokane. He and his family then moved to Moses Lake where he worked at the Grant County Prosecutor’s Office for two years until he opened his own law office in 1974. He continued in private practice law until his retirement in 2016 following his cancer diagnosis. Pat was a well-respected attorney in the Columbia Basin. He considered many colleagues his friends and the number of clients he helped throughout the years are too numerous to count.  Pat was an avid art collector with many beautiful works of art in his collection. He also had a passion for driving sports cars, usually a red Porche, or black, or blue or white… He loved traveling to Canada, Europe and St. Maarten. He thoroughly enjoyed working out and did so regularly until his illness no longer allowed. He is preceded in death by his father, John; mother, Hattie; brother John Edward and his step grandson Devan. Patrick is survived by his loving wife, Kay; brother, Michael (Susan); daughters Stephanie (Scott), Jennifer (Tony), Elizabeth, Angela (Rob) and son, Joseph; step daughters Debra and Anita (Earl); grandchildren, Zachary (Isabel), Zoe, Maggie, Miles, Patrick, Tanner, Emelia, Hattie and Rose; one great grandson, Asher; step grandchildren Taylor, Connor, Madeline, Rylee, Kari, Lily, and Chance; step great grandchildren Dominic, Faith and Micah; as well as close friends Mike Sullivan, Jane Allen, Darrell Schafer, Tom Cordell and Patricia Butterfield; and former spouse Joan Acres. A Celebration of Life will be held at Pillar Rock Grill, 1373 Rd. F .2 NE, Moses Lake, WA on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. The family suggest any memorials be made to Assured Hospice of Moses Lake. Arrangements are in care of Pioneer Memorial Services, Moses Lake.

On September 3, 2014, Orval L. Nelson joined his sweetheart in the next life after more than 16 long years without her. What a joyous reunion it must have been! He left behind a large family legacy including 4 of his 5 children, 21 of his 22 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 5 of 8 siblings. Orval’s life was filled with service right up until the end.  At 85 while fighting cancer for his life, he could be seen pouring concrete and hanging sheetrock for treasured friends and neighbors; his only compliant being he had to cut down to only working 12 hours a day instead of his accustomed 16. In between construction projects Doctor Nelson put his PhD in Sociology to work by doing family counseling.  He worked with thousands of families during his life and was lovingly referred to as “The World’s Greatest Family Fixer. His first love was teaching young people as a master teacher. During his 40 year professional career he taught at BYU, University of Wisconsin – Platteville, Oklahoma City University and Southern Virginia University; influencing the lives of countless thousands of students. He served a tour during the Korean Conflict and then stayed in as a reservist serving as a Military Intelligence Officer. His total service spanned nearly 20 years, retiring as a Major in the U.S. Army. Orval was an Eagle Scout as were his three sons. He was an avid Scouter and was active in several Councils from Washington to Virginia, Wisconsin to California and many points in between. First and foremost, he was a disciple of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ whom he loved and served all his life. He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as a Bishop for three different congregations, two of which were Young Single Adult Wards.  He loved the Saints in Finland and served them as a missionary for three years from 1948 to 1951. He returned in 1969 and served as a Mission President until 1972. Though he was called to serve in numerous leadership positions, his preference was to teach in small groups and serve the “One” as a home teacher. Funeral Services will be held on Monday September 8, 2014 at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Chapel located at 3400 West Charleston Blvd in Las Vegas, Nevada.  A viewing for family and friends will be from 10:00 until 10:50 am. Funeral Services will begin at 11:00. Orval will be buried next to his wife and son in Moses Lake Washington. A graveside service will be conducted Friday September 12, 2014 at 1:00 pm. The cemetery – Pioneer Memorial Gardens is located at 14403 Road 2 NE in Moses Lake, WA.

February 11, 1926 – November 30, 2015

Thad Taylor, a Moses Lake resident since 1955, passed away peacefully at his home November 30, 2015.  The family will host a Celebration of Life service at the Eagles Lodge in Moses Lake on Saturday, December 5^th from 1-4 pm. Thad was born February 11, 1926 on the Yakima Firing Center and spent his early years on the farm breaking horses for friends and family in the Yakima area.  At age 17, he joined the U.S. Navy and served in WWII on the U.S.S. Alabama in the South Pacific.  Thad received commendations during his time in the service of Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign-5 Star Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal-2 Star Medal.  After his work in the Navy, his experience on the farm took him to the Rodeo circuit where he broke broncos and bulls.  A break in his foot caused him to change careers and he spent the next 30 years in the Operating Engineers running heavy equipment.  He worked primarily with the Army Corp of Engineers and Bureau of Reclamation in creating most of the infrastructure in the Columbia Basin. Thad was an active member of the community and several organizations including American Legion and VFW for over 65 years, Columbia Basin Rodeo Association, Moose, Eagles, and Elks Lodges.  He served as the VFW Post 5926 Commander from 1992 – 1995 and received the Man of the Year award from the Moses Lake Roundup Rodeo in 2004. Thad lived his life on his own terms, he enjoyed raising sheep, trading metal, tinkering in his shop, working in his garden and sharing some of the best produce around the Columbia Basin, dancing with friends and always sharing good times with his friends and family. Thad is survived by his children, Scott Taylor, Enumclaw, WA, Lisa Taylor, Redding, CA, Dan and Marge Beck, Lewiston, ID, Kathy and Jon Wagner, Reno, NV, and Kelly Oscarson, Moses Lake, WA, six grandchildren and four great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his wife Jo Taylor, son, Ted Taylor, sister, LaVerne Sandal, and parents Vera and Les Taylor of Yakima.