Mary Willetta Craghead

Mary Willetta Craghead, 79, longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away Friday after an extended battle with complications from back surgery. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Evangelical Methodist Church, 2403 W. Texas St., Moses Lake.

Mary was born Oct. 8, 1925 in rural Mitchell, Nebraska to Thomas and Thelma Helser. She spent her life there on the farm until graduation in 1943. Mary was valedictorian of her class at Sunflower High School.

On Aug. 22, 1943 she married the late Max R. Craghead in Mitchell, Neb. They were in engaged in farming in that area until Nov. 1953 when they moved the family to Moses Lake.

Mary was a former Sears employee, retiring in May 1974. She also worked part time for the Department of Agriculture and Sunspiced.

She was a member of the Evangelical Methodist Church, AARP, Senior Center of Moses Lake, several pinochle and bunco clubs and the Columbia Basin Chapter Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. She enjoyed her family, friendships and traveling. After retirement, Mary and her late husband Max traveled the United States and to Germany, doing what they enjoyed most, visiting family and friends. They spent many days fishing for their boat, "Mary-Max," at Seiku, Wash. catching salmon to bring home, smoke and give to relatives and friends. She enjoyed her senior trips with friends, weekly bunco and pinochle clubs and was a devoted Mariners and Seahawks fan. Mary enjoyed cruises to Alaska with family, and she enjoyed attending local wildlife fund-raisers, especially the raffles, as she almost always won something which she was quick to give away to someone who needed it more. She was also an avid bowler earlier in life, having been on several championship teams and gaining membership in the 600 Club. Mary was always giving, in friendship, love of family and the community.

Mary's survivors are four sons and daughters-in-law, Col (Ret.) Robert and Patricia Craghead of Newman Lake, Max Lon and Delores Craghead, James and Jan Craghead and Thomas and Paula Craghead all of Moses Lake; seven grandchildren: Michelle and John Gannon, Denise and Brian Davis, Tina and Shane McCall, Tracy and Jeff Dayette, Lonnie and Iris Craghead, Brandy and Rodrigo Zurita and Don Craghead; 12 great-grandchildren: Kaitlynn, Sydney, Madison, Peyton, Morgan, Andrew, Christen, Jessie, Heidi, Tanner, Shandra and Jason Owens and Aaron; one great-great-granchild, Kody; five brothers: Walter Helser of Mitchell, Neb., Howard Helser of Shoreline, Wash., Lawrence Helser of Woodinville, Wash., James Helser of Tuscola, Texas and Kenneth Helser of Gearing, Neb.; two sisters: Dorothy Henderson of Alliance, Neb. and Jeannette Brock of Castle Rock, Colo.; and many nephews, nieces and friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Max, in March 1987 and her parents.

For those who wish, a memorial contribution may be given to the Evangelical Methodist Church or to one's favorite charity.