OBIT:

YAKIMA - Jessie Almeda Riegel Hessler, 105, of Yakima, quietly passed away early Tuesday morning, March 15, 2005 at her residence at Cedar Hills assisted living. She was called Jessie by many, but was known as Almeda by her family and close friends.

Almeda was from a Washington Territory Pioneer family and was born in a little cabin on Manastash Road near Ellensburg on August 5, 1899. She was the oldest of three daughters of Delbert and Rosie Butler Riegel. Almeda attended school at the Damman School and Ellensburg High School. On August 27, 1917 Almeda married Walter Hessler.

After a short time, they moved to Grandview where they lived until Walter was drafted for service in World War I. Almeda returned to Ellensburg to live where their daughter Jessie was born. During the 1920's, the family moved to Kennewick where their son Delbert was born. Walter was employed by the Pacific Power and Light Company and they were transferred to Yakima in 1947. In Yakima, Almeda worked for St. Elizabeth Hospital as a switch board operator for about ten years.

Almeda was preceded in death by her husband Walter in 1966, her parents, two sisters, two grandsons and one great-grandson. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jessie and Paul Broten, and her son and daughter-in-law, Delbert and Elaine Hessler all of Yakima; seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 25 great-great-grandchildren and numerous cousins.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, March 21, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. at West Hills Memorial Park. Visitation will be Sunday, March 20, 2005 from 1 to 5 p.m. at Shaw and Sons Funeral Directors. Memorial contributions may be made to Regional Hospital Hospice.

Yakima Herald Republic, March 19, 2005