Ernest Bluhm

Ernest Bluhm, 87, Walla Walla resident and former longtime Moses Lake resident, passed away on Tuesday, July 25, 2006, in Walla Walla. Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7, at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Moses Lake. There will be an inurnment service at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, at Pioneer Memorial Gardens, Moses Lake. Arrangements are in care of Kaiser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake.

Ernest (Ernie) was born on Sept. 30, 1917, in Wheeler, son of the late Ernest H. and Martha (Mittelstedt) Bluhm. He attended Neppel High School. He married Esther Geist on Oct. 14, 1940, in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho. They lived in Seattle while he worked as an iron worker for a short time returning to farm in the Moses Lake area for ten years. Ernest was a supply clerk at Larson Air Force Base moving to Spokane for one year to work at Fairchild Air Force Base. He returned to Moses Lake to work as a supply clerk at U and I Sugar. After retirement he had a lawn service and was a currier for a local bank in Moses Lake.

He enjoyed his garden creating an extensive watering system for his vegetables many years ago, traveling and camping with their trailer club, joking with family and friends, reading, and playing cards with friends. He was an active member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Moses Lake until he and Esther moved to Walla Walla in 2004, when they began attending Immanuel Lutheran Church in Walla Walla.

He is survived by his daughter, Jan Heming, Traverse City, Mich.; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Elaine Bluhm, Walla Walla; three grandchildren, Aaron Herning, Cedar, Mich., Teresa Mooney, Bakersfield, Calif.; and Sarah Bluhm-Arnold, Renton, four great-grandchildren, Allen, Anthony, Ashley, Brent; one sister Margaret Ribail, Wilson Creek, two brothers Bob Bluhm, Modesto, Calif., and Bill Bluhm, Fife.

Besides his parents, Ernest and Martha Bluhm, he was preceded in death by his wife, Esther, who passed away April 5, 2006, in Walla Walla; one sister Eve Zickler; and grandson Erik Bluhm.

The family suggests memorial contribution be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church, 1020 South A St., Moses Lake, WA 98837.