Helen M. Ross
Helen Marie (Olson) Ross was born October 28, 1928, in Ellensburg, Washington. She was the only child of Uno and Harriett (Gardinier) Olson. The Olson family owned a dairy herd and raised hay and grain on a farm located on the Kittitas Highway. As a child, Helen attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse in the Broadview District (No. 6). She graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1946 and attended Central Washington University (then known as Central Washington College) where she was elected homecoming princess in 1947.
In 1949, Helen married C. William (Bill) Ross. Bill and Helen made their home in the Badger Pocket area southeast of Ellensburg, where they raised timothy hay, grain, and Angus cattle. They had two daughters, Kathy and Kris.
Helen was a devoted farm wife, making frantic trips to town to pick up parts during haying season and helping with cattle drives whenever needed. She maintained a large garden, canned, and froze all kinds of fruits and vegetables, grew beautiful dahlias, and kept a spotless house in spite of farming's endless dust.
Helen was also an excellent cook. Her potato salad, Parker House rolls, and turkey dressing were family favorites. But her real specialty was pie-making and her apple pie was superb!
Although the farm was the major focus of Helen's life, she pursued many other interests. Beginning in the first grade, Helen took 12 years of piano lessons. She participated in several statewide solo competitions during high school and received her highest marks performing "Rustle of Spring" by Christian Sinding. She was a member of the Ellensburg High School band and orchestra, playing the piano and glockenspiel, and she marched with the band in the Ellensburg Rodeo Parade. Helen continued to play the piano after she was married. One of her personal favorites was Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in G Minor." She also played popular songs, movie themes, and Bill's all-time favorite, the theme from the movie "The Third Man."
In her mid-30s, Helen took up snow skiing. Her first season ended abruptly after she sprained her ankle. But that didn't stop her. She was back on the slopes the following year. Eventually, she became an accomplished parallel skier, and she and Bill continued to ski together well into their 60s at White Pass and Snoqualmie Summit.
In her 50s, Helen began collecting dolls, inspired by the antique Kestner bisque doll left to her by her mother. For nearly two decades, Helen was a familiar face at doll shows in Portland, Oregon, and the greater Seattle area. She collected all types of dolls but was best known for her high-quality vintage composition dolls. Her large collection included dolls made by Madame Alexander, Arranbee (R&B), Effanbee, Furga, Ideal, Mattel, and Terri Lee.
Not everyone knew how much Helen enjoyed coffee. If she was going shopping (which she loved to do) at one of the malls in Renton or Bellevue, her first stop was always the Nordstrom's coffee bar. Helen and girls would leave the farm around 7:30 am and two hours later Helen would be drinking a double Café Americano-super hot, just the way she liked it.
Last but not least, Helen loved her Pekingese dogs. Bill had given her a puppy their first year of marriage. Pug-nosed and short-legged, these long-haired bundles were completely unsuited to farm life but, nonetheless, became an institution.
Helen passed away on March 3, 2022, after a fourteen-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Bill. She is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Ross of Portland, Oregon, and Kristine Buchanan (Dan) of Ellensburg; three grandchildren, Megan Perkins (Gary) of Charlotte, NC, and Haley Naboychik (David) and Kyle Buchanan (Annie), both of Ellensburg; and six great grandchildren.
For the past 10 years, Helen was a resident of the memory care unit at Cascades of Chesterley in Yakima. We are grateful for the care and compassion shown by the Chesterley staff and, for the past several months, the staff of Astria Hospice.
Finally, at peace, we shall continue to remember the Helen that Alzheimer's disease so cruelly took from us. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 12721 30th Ave., NE, Ste. 101, Seattle, WA. 98125. Online condolences may be left at www.brooksidefuneral.com.
Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family.
Helen Marie (Olson) Ross was born October 28, 1928, in Ellensburg, Washington. She was the only child of Uno and Harriett (Gardinier) Olson. The Olson family owned a dairy herd and raised hay and grain on a farm located on the Kittitas Highway. As a child, Helen attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse in the Broadview District (No. 6). She graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1946 and attended Central Washington University (then known as Central Washington College) where she was elected homecoming princess in 1947.
In 1949, Helen married C. William (Bill) Ross. Bill and Helen made their home in the Badger Pocket area southeast of Ellensburg, where they raised timothy hay, grain, and Angus cattle. They had two daughters, Kathy and Kris.
Helen was a devoted farm wife, making frantic trips to town to pick up parts during haying season and helping with cattle drives whenever needed. She maintained a large garden, canned, and froze all kinds of fruits and vegetables, grew beautiful dahlias, and kept a spotless house in spite of farming's endless dust.
Helen was also an excellent cook. Her potato salad, Parker House rolls, and turkey dressing were family favorites. But her real specialty was pie-making and her apple pie was superb!
Although the farm was the major focus of Helen's life, she pursued many other interests. Beginning in the first grade, Helen took 12 years of piano lessons. She participated in several statewide solo competitions during high school and received her highest marks performing "Rustle of Spring" by Christian Sinding. She was a member of the Ellensburg High School band and orchestra, playing the piano and glockenspiel, and she marched with the band in the Ellensburg Rodeo Parade. Helen continued to play the piano after she was married. One of her personal favorites was Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in G Minor." She also played popular songs, movie themes, and Bill's all-time favorite, the theme from the movie "The Third Man."
In her mid-30s, Helen took up snow skiing. Her first season ended abruptly after she sprained her ankle. But that didn't stop her. She was back on the slopes the following year. Eventually, she became an accomplished parallel skier, and she and Bill continued to ski together well into their 60s at White Pass and Snoqualmie Summit.
In her 50s, Helen began collecting dolls, inspired by the antique Kestner bisque doll left to her by her mother. For nearly two decades, Helen was a familiar face at doll shows in Portland, Oregon, and the greater Seattle area. She collected all types of dolls but was best known for her high-quality vintage composition dolls. Her large collection included dolls made by Madame Alexander, Arranbee (R&B), Effanbee, Furga, Ideal, Mattel, and Terri Lee.
Not everyone knew how much Helen enjoyed coffee. If she was going shopping (which she loved to do) at one of the malls in Renton or Bellevue, her first stop was always the Nordstrom's coffee bar. Helen and girls would leave the farm around 7:30 am and two hours later Helen would be drinking a double Café Americano-super hot, just the way she liked it.
Last but not least, Helen loved her Pekingese dogs. Bill had given her a puppy their first year of marriage. Pug-nosed and short-legged, these long-haired bundles were completely unsuited to farm life but, nonetheless, became an institution.
Helen passed away on March 3, 2022, after a fourteen-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Bill. She is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Ross of Portland, Oregon, and Kristine Buchanan (Dan) of Ellensburg; three grandchildren, Megan Perkins (Gary) of Charlotte, NC, and Haley Naboychik (David) and Kyle Buchanan (Annie), both of Ellensburg; and six great grandchildren.
For the past 10 years, Helen was a resident of the memory care unit at Cascades of Chesterley in Yakima. We are grateful for the care and compassion shown by the Chesterley staff and, for the past several months, the staff of Astria Hospice.
Finally, at peace, we shall continue to remember the Helen that Alzheimer's disease so cruelly took from us. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 12721 30th Ave., NE, Ste. 101, Seattle, WA. 98125. Online condolences may be left at www.brooksidefuneral.com.
Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family.
Helen M. Ross
Helen Marie (Olson) Ross was born October 28, 1928, in Ellensburg, Washington. She was the only child of Uno and Harriett (Gardinier) Olson. The Olson family owned a dairy herd and raised hay and grain on a farm located on the Kittitas Highway. As a child, Helen attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse in the Broadview District (No. 6). She graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1946 and attended Central Washington University (then known as Central Washington College) where she was elected homecoming princess in 1947.
In 1949, Helen married C. William (Bill) Ross. Bill and Helen made their home in the Badger Pocket area southeast of Ellensburg, where they raised timothy hay, grain, and Angus cattle. They had two daughters, Kathy and Kris.
Helen was a devoted farm wife, making frantic trips to town to pick up parts during haying season and helping with cattle drives whenever needed. She maintained a large garden, canned, and froze all kinds of fruits and vegetables, grew beautiful dahlias, and kept a spotless house in spite of farming's endless dust.
Helen was also an excellent cook. Her potato salad, Parker House rolls, and turkey dressing were family favorites. But her real specialty was pie-making and her apple pie was superb!
Although the farm was the major focus of Helen's life, she pursued many other interests. Beginning in the first grade, Helen took 12 years of piano lessons. She participated in several statewide solo competitions during high school and received her highest marks performing "Rustle of Spring" by Christian Sinding. She was a member of the Ellensburg High School band and orchestra, playing the piano and glockenspiel, and she marched with the band in the Ellensburg Rodeo Parade. Helen continued to play the piano after she was married. One of her personal favorites was Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in G Minor." She also played popular songs, movie themes, and Bill's all-time favorite, the theme from the movie "The Third Man."
In her mid-30s, Helen took up snow skiing. Her first season ended abruptly after she sprained her ankle. But that didn't stop her. She was back on the slopes the following year. Eventually, she became an accomplished parallel skier, and she and Bill continued to ski together well into their 60s at White Pass and Snoqualmie Summit.
In her 50s, Helen began collecting dolls, inspired by the antique Kestner bisque doll left to her by her mother. For nearly two decades, Helen was a familiar face at doll shows in Portland, Oregon, and the greater Seattle area. She collected all types of dolls but was best known for her high-quality vintage composition dolls. Her large collection included dolls made by Madame Alexander, Arranbee (R&B), Effanbee, Furga, Ideal, Mattel, and Terri Lee.
Not everyone knew how much Helen enjoyed coffee. If she was going shopping (which she loved to do) at one of the malls in Renton or Bellevue, her first stop was always the Nordstrom's coffee bar. Helen and girls would leave the farm around 7:30 am and two hours later Helen would be drinking a double Café Americano-super hot, just the way she liked it.
Last but not least, Helen loved her Pekingese dogs. Bill had given her a puppy their first year of marriage. Pug-nosed and short-legged, these long-haired bundles were completely unsuited to farm life but, nonetheless, became an institution.
Helen passed away on March 3, 2022, after a fourteen-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Bill. She is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Ross of Portland, Oregon, and Kristine Buchanan (Dan) of Ellensburg; three grandchildren, Megan Perkins (Gary) of Charlotte, NC, and Haley Naboychik (David) and Kyle Buchanan (Annie), both of Ellensburg; and six great grandchildren.
For the past 10 years, Helen was a resident of the memory care unit at Cascades of Chesterley in Yakima. We are grateful for the care and compassion shown by the Chesterley staff and, for the past several months, the staff of Astria Hospice.
Finally, at peace, we shall continue to remember the Helen that Alzheimer's disease so cruelly took from us. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 12721 30th Ave., NE, Ste. 101, Seattle, WA. 98125. Online condolences may be left at www.brooksidefuneral.com.
Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family.
Helen Marie (Olson) Ross was born October 28, 1928, in Ellensburg, Washington. She was the only child of Uno and Harriett (Gardinier) Olson. The Olson family owned a dairy herd and raised hay and grain on a farm located on the Kittitas Highway. As a child, Helen attended elementary school in a one-room schoolhouse in the Broadview District (No. 6). She graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1946 and attended Central Washington University (then known as Central Washington College) where she was elected homecoming princess in 1947.
In 1949, Helen married C. William (Bill) Ross. Bill and Helen made their home in the Badger Pocket area southeast of Ellensburg, where they raised timothy hay, grain, and Angus cattle. They had two daughters, Kathy and Kris.
Helen was a devoted farm wife, making frantic trips to town to pick up parts during haying season and helping with cattle drives whenever needed. She maintained a large garden, canned, and froze all kinds of fruits and vegetables, grew beautiful dahlias, and kept a spotless house in spite of farming's endless dust.
Helen was also an excellent cook. Her potato salad, Parker House rolls, and turkey dressing were family favorites. But her real specialty was pie-making and her apple pie was superb!
Although the farm was the major focus of Helen's life, she pursued many other interests. Beginning in the first grade, Helen took 12 years of piano lessons. She participated in several statewide solo competitions during high school and received her highest marks performing "Rustle of Spring" by Christian Sinding. She was a member of the Ellensburg High School band and orchestra, playing the piano and glockenspiel, and she marched with the band in the Ellensburg Rodeo Parade. Helen continued to play the piano after she was married. One of her personal favorites was Rachmaninoff's "Prelude in G Minor." She also played popular songs, movie themes, and Bill's all-time favorite, the theme from the movie "The Third Man."
In her mid-30s, Helen took up snow skiing. Her first season ended abruptly after she sprained her ankle. But that didn't stop her. She was back on the slopes the following year. Eventually, she became an accomplished parallel skier, and she and Bill continued to ski together well into their 60s at White Pass and Snoqualmie Summit.
In her 50s, Helen began collecting dolls, inspired by the antique Kestner bisque doll left to her by her mother. For nearly two decades, Helen was a familiar face at doll shows in Portland, Oregon, and the greater Seattle area. She collected all types of dolls but was best known for her high-quality vintage composition dolls. Her large collection included dolls made by Madame Alexander, Arranbee (R&B), Effanbee, Furga, Ideal, Mattel, and Terri Lee.
Not everyone knew how much Helen enjoyed coffee. If she was going shopping (which she loved to do) at one of the malls in Renton or Bellevue, her first stop was always the Nordstrom's coffee bar. Helen and girls would leave the farm around 7:30 am and two hours later Helen would be drinking a double Café Americano-super hot, just the way she liked it.
Last but not least, Helen loved her Pekingese dogs. Bill had given her a puppy their first year of marriage. Pug-nosed and short-legged, these long-haired bundles were completely unsuited to farm life but, nonetheless, became an institution.
Helen passed away on March 3, 2022, after a fourteen-year struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Bill. She is survived by her daughters, Kathryn Ross of Portland, Oregon, and Kristine Buchanan (Dan) of Ellensburg; three grandchildren, Megan Perkins (Gary) of Charlotte, NC, and Haley Naboychik (David) and Kyle Buchanan (Annie), both of Ellensburg; and six great grandchildren.
For the past 10 years, Helen was a resident of the memory care unit at Cascades of Chesterley in Yakima. We are grateful for the care and compassion shown by the Chesterley staff and, for the past several months, the staff of Astria Hospice.
Finally, at peace, we shall continue to remember the Helen that Alzheimer's disease so cruelly took from us. Contributions in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 12721 30th Ave., NE, Ste. 101, Seattle, WA. 98125. Online condolences may be left at www.brooksidefuneral.com.
Brookside Funeral Home is caring for the family.
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