Osa Raye Patzwaldt

Osa Raye Patzwaldt was born on May 29, 1922, in Halltown, Mo. to parents, Loy and Caryl Samuel. She went to rest with her Maker on Aug. 9, 2007, when she passed away peacefully in Ellensburg. She was 85 years old.

She graduated from Halltown high school and went on to business college in Springfield, Mo. She met the love of her life, Carl Patzwaldt (or Pat, as she called him) at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. They were married in February of 1945.

Because of Pat's job with the Game Department, Osa Raye and Pat lived in many different towns, including Okanogan, Wenatchee, Spokane, Mt. Vernon, Soap Lake, Whidbey Island and Ellensburg; and Osa found something special about every place she lived. She was an extrememly outgoing person with an unwavering optimistic outlook on life. She never met a stranger. She endeared herself to those she met with her quick wit and southern charm. She loved music and played the piano and sang with her sister as a young girl. She passed that love of music onto her daughters. She also passed on her love of animals, especially dogs. She was a wonderful homemaker, and her life revolved around her home and family.

In her early years she enjoyed the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing with her husband, and loved to tell the story about the time she shot a black bear. She was a real "fire-cracker" with a zest for life. She did slow down quite a bit after emergency brain surgery in 1986, but miraculously went on to live a full life. After her grandsons were born, her world revolved around them. She and Pat lived with them along with their youngest daughter and her husband in their Ellensburg home for the past 13 years. She was a devoted mother, wife, sister, grandmother and friend.

She was a member of the First Lutheran Church in Ellensburg, and gave God all the credit for her wonderful life.

Osa Raye was preceded in death by her parents and one niece, Dr. Judy Caryl Helm of Muskogee, Okla.

She is survived by her husband, Carl (Pat) Patzwaldt at the home in Ellensburg; two daughters, Rita Matthes and husband Phil of Coupeville, Carla Maggard and husband Tim at the home in Ellensburg; two grandsons, Max Kelton Maggard and Gannon Loy Maggard of Ellensburg; one sister, Helen Helm of Tulsa, Okla.; three nephews, J. Loy Helm and wife Faynelle of Tulsa, Okla., Larry Johnson and wife Joie of Henderson, Nev., and Dr. Fred Dove of Muskogee, Okla.; one niece, Linda Parks and husband Don of Redmond; four great-nieces, Christian, Lauren, Lori and Jena; two great-nephews, Seth and Sammy Pat; also many cousins and dear friends, young and old. Osa was like a grandmother to many young people, namely Mike, Dillon, Derek and Kacie. She was affectionately known to most young friends as "Ammy."

She will be missed terribly, but always remembered with a smile. Graveside services were held on Saturday Aug. 11 and she was laid to rest at the Bayview Cemetery on Whidbey Island.

The family suggests donations be made to the Humane Society, local animal shelter of your choice, or any charity that helps animals or children.