Wenatchee World - Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Norryce Franklin Mentzer - Wenatchee, WA

Norryce Franklin Mentzer, 90, a 60 year Wenatchee, WA resident, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2012, at Central Washington Hospital, following a brief illness. He was born on October 25, 1921, near Yates Center, KS. He was one of nine sons and two daughters born to Ernest Everest and Edith May (Dumont) Mentzer. He attended rural schools and graduated with the class of 1940, at the high school in Yates Center. He was the only one of the boys who was not in the armed services during World War II. One brother was killed in active duty in Europe. Norryce was needed on the family farm to help his dad. He later worked for a short time on the railroad. In 1951, he moved west to Wenatchee, where he first worked for Lloyd's Shoe Store for five years. He later worked in the Chelan County Assessor's office for 24 years, retiring in 1986. He was first married to Dorothy Swartz and, after her death, he married Solange Revets on November 14, 1987. He was a lifelong Methodist and an active member of the First United Methodist Church in Wenatchee, where he served as an Usher for many years. He was also an active member of the Downtown Kiwanis Club and sang with the Apollo Club, both for many years. He was a dedicated Blood Donor for the American Red Cross and had donated well over 28 gallons over the years. Norryce enjoyed golfing and singing old hymns.

He is survived by his wife, Solange, at their home; her daughter, Louise Robson and her husband, Chet of Downers Grove, IL; and her grandson, Matthew Drew and his wife, Teresa of Las Vegas, NV. He is also survived by Dorothy's four daughters, Linda (Mel) Baber, Marilyn (Bob) Musson, Wendy (David) Bonwell and Diane (Scott) Bullock, all of East Wenatchee; and three brothers, Tye Mentzer of Newton, IA, Keith Mentzer of Reno, NV and Berdette Mentzer of Yates Center, KS. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy; five brothers, Ed, Austin, Laddie, Lovell and Don Mentzer; and two sisters, Fleta Frances Vanvalkenberg and Juanita Winifred Baldwin.

A Funeral Service will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 941 Washington Street, Wenatchee on Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., with Pastor Julia Price officiating. A Concluding Service and the Interment will follow in Wenatchee Cemetery. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Tuesday, January 31, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friends who wish may make memorial donations, in his name, to the First United Methodist Church or the Apollo Club. You are invited to visit his tribute online at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.