Wenatchee World - Thursday, January 6, 2011
Lela May Gilmer, 85, of Omak, died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010.
She was a longtime resident of the Omak area. She had worked for Biles-Colman, retiring in the early '90s.
Survivors include her daughter, Kathy (Brantner) Hill of Omak; and her brothers, Roy "Bill" Bedard of Okanogan, Rob Bedard of Rathdrum, Idaho, Paul Bedard of Maple Valley and Al Bedard of Kamiah, Idaho.
A private family graveside service was held at the Omak City Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel, Okanogan.
Lela May Gilmer, went to Heaven on Dec. 21, 2010. As she sung the Christmas carol, "I'll be Home for Christmas" with her family, only two days prior to her passing, little did she/we know that she really would be "Home" for Christmas... This truly was her "best" Christmas ever! She was born May 12, 1925, in La Fleur, Wash., (Duley Lake area) to Joseph Filias "Phil" and Elva Bedard. She was one of 18 living children raised on the Bedard Ranch on the Colville Indian Reservation above Monse, Wash.
Lela attended the Bedard School in La Fleur through her 8th grade graduation. In 1939, Washington State Governor Clarence D. Martin bought the Phil Bedard family a New Year's Day Dinner they would never forget, to bring in the New Year 1940, after winning the "Largest family reported" in a state-wide poll in Washington, (Phil's name was submitted by his local banker). The article announcing this award "Ton of Spuds 'Small Potatoes' for This Bedard Family" article was printed in The Wenatchee Daily World which included a picture of Lela, ten of her siblings, a brother-in-law and her father. Since the visit by the reporters was a surprise, not all of the family was home. Lela graduated from Republic High School in Republic, Wash., a few months early, in 1943.
After high school, Lela moved to Tacoma, Wash., along with her sister Ann where she worked at Boeing for a few years. She later went to work for Hygrade Meat Packing in Tacoma.
During the summer of 1941, at the Omak Stampede, she met the love of her life, Alvin Gilmer. They were later married on May 12, 1946, after Alvin returned from World War II. They lived in Brewster, Wash., for one year and then moved back to the Bedard Ranch where they maintained a wheat ranch for several years. On Lela's 22nd birthday, and she and Alvin's first wedding anniversary, she gave Alvin the best gift of all… she gave birth to their only child, Katherine "Kathy" Gilmer (Brantner Hill). In 1956, the family moved to Puyallup, Wash., where Alvin worked for Hygrade Meat Packing and Lela worked at Washington Steel. In 1963, they returned to the Omak area. In 1966, Lela began working for the local lumber mill, Biles-Coleman (which later became Omak Wood Products), where she later retired from in the early 90's.
In the 70's, Lela started her personal relationship with Jesus. She loved spending time with her family, gardening, canning, baking pies, crocheting (especially afghans), baking, babysitting precious great-grandchildren and attending various Christian functions. Lela was given the name "G.G." when her first great-grandchild was born, and the name stuck, which she was very proud of. She dedicated her life to her family and faith and was known by many as G.G. and to her siblings as the "Bedard Angel".
Lela was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Gilmer; her parents; and many brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Brantner) Hill (husband Sam Hill); three grandchildren, Shari Marcial (husband, Leonel Marcial), Paula Brantner-Thomas (husband, Mike Thomas) and Jared Brantner (wife, Angela Brantner); seven great-grandchildren, Drew and Hallie Marcial, Raquel Gutierrez-Brantner and Jocelyn Thomas, Sean, Justin and Tyson Brantner, all of Omak. She is also survived by her brothers, Roy "Bill" Bedard of Okanogan, Wash., Rob Bedard of Rathdrum, Idaho, Paul Bedard of Maple Valley, Wash., and Al Bedard of Kamiah, Idaho; and numerous nieces and nephews.
"G.G." will always be loved, always cherished and never forgotten.
A private chapel service was held at the Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel followed by a graveside service at the Omak City Cemetery.
Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel is in care of the arrangements.
Lela May Gilmer, 85, of Omak, died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010.
She was a longtime resident of the Omak area. She had worked for Biles-Colman, retiring in the early '90s.
Survivors include her daughter, Kathy (Brantner) Hill of Omak; and her brothers, Roy "Bill" Bedard of Okanogan, Rob Bedard of Rathdrum, Idaho, Paul Bedard of Maple Valley and Al Bedard of Kamiah, Idaho.
A private family graveside service was held at the Omak City Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel, Okanogan.
Lela May Gilmer, went to Heaven on Dec. 21, 2010. As she sung the Christmas carol, "I'll be Home for Christmas" with her family, only two days prior to her passing, little did she/we know that she really would be "Home" for Christmas... This truly was her "best" Christmas ever! She was born May 12, 1925, in La Fleur, Wash., (Duley Lake area) to Joseph Filias "Phil" and Elva Bedard. She was one of 18 living children raised on the Bedard Ranch on the Colville Indian Reservation above Monse, Wash.
Lela attended the Bedard School in La Fleur through her 8th grade graduation. In 1939, Washington State Governor Clarence D. Martin bought the Phil Bedard family a New Year's Day Dinner they would never forget, to bring in the New Year 1940, after winning the "Largest family reported" in a state-wide poll in Washington, (Phil's name was submitted by his local banker). The article announcing this award "Ton of Spuds 'Small Potatoes' for This Bedard Family" article was printed in The Wenatchee Daily World which included a picture of Lela, ten of her siblings, a brother-in-law and her father. Since the visit by the reporters was a surprise, not all of the family was home. Lela graduated from Republic High School in Republic, Wash., a few months early, in 1943.
After high school, Lela moved to Tacoma, Wash., along with her sister Ann where she worked at Boeing for a few years. She later went to work for Hygrade Meat Packing in Tacoma.
During the summer of 1941, at the Omak Stampede, she met the love of her life, Alvin Gilmer. They were later married on May 12, 1946, after Alvin returned from World War II. They lived in Brewster, Wash., for one year and then moved back to the Bedard Ranch where they maintained a wheat ranch for several years. On Lela's 22nd birthday, and she and Alvin's first wedding anniversary, she gave Alvin the best gift of all… she gave birth to their only child, Katherine "Kathy" Gilmer (Brantner Hill). In 1956, the family moved to Puyallup, Wash., where Alvin worked for Hygrade Meat Packing and Lela worked at Washington Steel. In 1963, they returned to the Omak area. In 1966, Lela began working for the local lumber mill, Biles-Coleman (which later became Omak Wood Products), where she later retired from in the early 90's.
In the 70's, Lela started her personal relationship with Jesus. She loved spending time with her family, gardening, canning, baking pies, crocheting (especially afghans), baking, babysitting precious great-grandchildren and attending various Christian functions. Lela was given the name "G.G." when her first great-grandchild was born, and the name stuck, which she was very proud of. She dedicated her life to her family and faith and was known by many as G.G. and to her siblings as the "Bedard Angel".
Lela was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Gilmer; her parents; and many brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Brantner) Hill (husband Sam Hill); three grandchildren, Shari Marcial (husband, Leonel Marcial), Paula Brantner-Thomas (husband, Mike Thomas) and Jared Brantner (wife, Angela Brantner); seven great-grandchildren, Drew and Hallie Marcial, Raquel Gutierrez-Brantner and Jocelyn Thomas, Sean, Justin and Tyson Brantner, all of Omak. She is also survived by her brothers, Roy "Bill" Bedard of Okanogan, Wash., Rob Bedard of Rathdrum, Idaho, Paul Bedard of Maple Valley, Wash., and Al Bedard of Kamiah, Idaho; and numerous nieces and nephews.
"G.G." will always be loved, always cherished and never forgotten.
A private chapel service was held at the Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel followed by a graveside service at the Omak City Cemetery.
Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel is in care of the arrangements.
Wenatchee World - Thursday, January 6, 2011
Lela May Gilmer, 85, of Omak, died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010.
She was a longtime resident of the Omak area. She had worked for Biles-Colman, retiring in the early '90s.
Survivors include her daughter, Kathy (Brantner) Hill of Omak; and her brothers, Roy "Bill" Bedard of Okanogan, Rob Bedard of Rathdrum, Idaho, Paul Bedard of Maple Valley and Al Bedard of Kamiah, Idaho.
A private family graveside service was held at the Omak City Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel, Okanogan.
Lela May Gilmer, went to Heaven on Dec. 21, 2010. As she sung the Christmas carol, "I'll be Home for Christmas" with her family, only two days prior to her passing, little did she/we know that she really would be "Home" for Christmas... This truly was her "best" Christmas ever! She was born May 12, 1925, in La Fleur, Wash., (Duley Lake area) to Joseph Filias "Phil" and Elva Bedard. She was one of 18 living children raised on the Bedard Ranch on the Colville Indian Reservation above Monse, Wash.
Lela attended the Bedard School in La Fleur through her 8th grade graduation. In 1939, Washington State Governor Clarence D. Martin bought the Phil Bedard family a New Year's Day Dinner they would never forget, to bring in the New Year 1940, after winning the "Largest family reported" in a state-wide poll in Washington, (Phil's name was submitted by his local banker). The article announcing this award "Ton of Spuds 'Small Potatoes' for This Bedard Family" article was printed in The Wenatchee Daily World which included a picture of Lela, ten of her siblings, a brother-in-law and her father. Since the visit by the reporters was a surprise, not all of the family was home. Lela graduated from Republic High School in Republic, Wash., a few months early, in 1943.
After high school, Lela moved to Tacoma, Wash., along with her sister Ann where she worked at Boeing for a few years. She later went to work for Hygrade Meat Packing in Tacoma.
During the summer of 1941, at the Omak Stampede, she met the love of her life, Alvin Gilmer. They were later married on May 12, 1946, after Alvin returned from World War II. They lived in Brewster, Wash., for one year and then moved back to the Bedard Ranch where they maintained a wheat ranch for several years. On Lela's 22nd birthday, and she and Alvin's first wedding anniversary, she gave Alvin the best gift of all… she gave birth to their only child, Katherine "Kathy" Gilmer (Brantner Hill). In 1956, the family moved to Puyallup, Wash., where Alvin worked for Hygrade Meat Packing and Lela worked at Washington Steel. In 1963, they returned to the Omak area. In 1966, Lela began working for the local lumber mill, Biles-Coleman (which later became Omak Wood Products), where she later retired from in the early 90's.
In the 70's, Lela started her personal relationship with Jesus. She loved spending time with her family, gardening, canning, baking pies, crocheting (especially afghans), baking, babysitting precious great-grandchildren and attending various Christian functions. Lela was given the name "G.G." when her first great-grandchild was born, and the name stuck, which she was very proud of. She dedicated her life to her family and faith and was known by many as G.G. and to her siblings as the "Bedard Angel".
Lela was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Gilmer; her parents; and many brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Brantner) Hill (husband Sam Hill); three grandchildren, Shari Marcial (husband, Leonel Marcial), Paula Brantner-Thomas (husband, Mike Thomas) and Jared Brantner (wife, Angela Brantner); seven great-grandchildren, Drew and Hallie Marcial, Raquel Gutierrez-Brantner and Jocelyn Thomas, Sean, Justin and Tyson Brantner, all of Omak. She is also survived by her brothers, Roy "Bill" Bedard of Okanogan, Wash., Rob Bedard of Rathdrum, Idaho, Paul Bedard of Maple Valley, Wash., and Al Bedard of Kamiah, Idaho; and numerous nieces and nephews.
"G.G." will always be loved, always cherished and never forgotten.
A private chapel service was held at the Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel followed by a graveside service at the Omak City Cemetery.
Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel is in care of the arrangements.
Lela May Gilmer, 85, of Omak, died Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2010.
She was a longtime resident of the Omak area. She had worked for Biles-Colman, retiring in the early '90s.
Survivors include her daughter, Kathy (Brantner) Hill of Omak; and her brothers, Roy "Bill" Bedard of Okanogan, Rob Bedard of Rathdrum, Idaho, Paul Bedard of Maple Valley and Al Bedard of Kamiah, Idaho.
A private family graveside service was held at the Omak City Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are by Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel, Okanogan.
Lela May Gilmer, went to Heaven on Dec. 21, 2010. As she sung the Christmas carol, "I'll be Home for Christmas" with her family, only two days prior to her passing, little did she/we know that she really would be "Home" for Christmas... This truly was her "best" Christmas ever! She was born May 12, 1925, in La Fleur, Wash., (Duley Lake area) to Joseph Filias "Phil" and Elva Bedard. She was one of 18 living children raised on the Bedard Ranch on the Colville Indian Reservation above Monse, Wash.
Lela attended the Bedard School in La Fleur through her 8th grade graduation. In 1939, Washington State Governor Clarence D. Martin bought the Phil Bedard family a New Year's Day Dinner they would never forget, to bring in the New Year 1940, after winning the "Largest family reported" in a state-wide poll in Washington, (Phil's name was submitted by his local banker). The article announcing this award "Ton of Spuds 'Small Potatoes' for This Bedard Family" article was printed in The Wenatchee Daily World which included a picture of Lela, ten of her siblings, a brother-in-law and her father. Since the visit by the reporters was a surprise, not all of the family was home. Lela graduated from Republic High School in Republic, Wash., a few months early, in 1943.
After high school, Lela moved to Tacoma, Wash., along with her sister Ann where she worked at Boeing for a few years. She later went to work for Hygrade Meat Packing in Tacoma.
During the summer of 1941, at the Omak Stampede, she met the love of her life, Alvin Gilmer. They were later married on May 12, 1946, after Alvin returned from World War II. They lived in Brewster, Wash., for one year and then moved back to the Bedard Ranch where they maintained a wheat ranch for several years. On Lela's 22nd birthday, and she and Alvin's first wedding anniversary, she gave Alvin the best gift of all… she gave birth to their only child, Katherine "Kathy" Gilmer (Brantner Hill). In 1956, the family moved to Puyallup, Wash., where Alvin worked for Hygrade Meat Packing and Lela worked at Washington Steel. In 1963, they returned to the Omak area. In 1966, Lela began working for the local lumber mill, Biles-Coleman (which later became Omak Wood Products), where she later retired from in the early 90's.
In the 70's, Lela started her personal relationship with Jesus. She loved spending time with her family, gardening, canning, baking pies, crocheting (especially afghans), baking, babysitting precious great-grandchildren and attending various Christian functions. Lela was given the name "G.G." when her first great-grandchild was born, and the name stuck, which she was very proud of. She dedicated her life to her family and faith and was known by many as G.G. and to her siblings as the "Bedard Angel".
Lela was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Gilmer; her parents; and many brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Brantner) Hill (husband Sam Hill); three grandchildren, Shari Marcial (husband, Leonel Marcial), Paula Brantner-Thomas (husband, Mike Thomas) and Jared Brantner (wife, Angela Brantner); seven great-grandchildren, Drew and Hallie Marcial, Raquel Gutierrez-Brantner and Jocelyn Thomas, Sean, Justin and Tyson Brantner, all of Omak. She is also survived by her brothers, Roy "Bill" Bedard of Okanogan, Wash., Rob Bedard of Rathdrum, Idaho, Paul Bedard of Maple Valley, Wash., and Al Bedard of Kamiah, Idaho; and numerous nieces and nephews.
"G.G." will always be loved, always cherished and never forgotten.
A private chapel service was held at the Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel followed by a graveside service at the Omak City Cemetery.
Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel is in care of the arrangements.
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