Milldred Dorothy Zwarun Spalding

In Loving Memory

Milldred Dorothy Zwarun Spalding has now been joined by her husband Ed. Millie preceded Ed on the fifth of October in 2002.

Millie was born in Krasna, Ukraine, Jan. 14, 1926. Her father had immigrated to Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, bringing his family March 5, 1934. Millie remembered crossing the Atlantic because she tasted her first ice cream on the steam ship.

Speaking only Ukrainian at first made growing up very difficult for a young girl. But having a large family and a loving mother made it possible. Millie left home and school at an early age to help build airplanes in Halifax during World War II. She met her husband to be Ed during one of his across-the-border trips from Maine to Nova Scotia to the USO dance club where he met Millie. They were married on July 29, 1944. As Ed traveled around the USA by boat, Millie followed via train, with them seeing each other when the boat put into port. Millie and young Ed III stayed with Ed's parents on a farm in Elma, Washington when Ed went to the Philippines. When the war ended, Millie and Ed returned home and they had another son, Larry. Ed Jr, Millie and Ed III drove cross country in the 1950's so Millie could visit with her family in Glace Bay. Larry joined the family and in 1957 they moved to what Millie later referred to as a "Godforsaken place" on Royal Slope, near Royal City, Washington.

Hand-in-hand with Ed Jr., they built a successful life and raised two sons that were a bit of a handful. Millie was ameticulous homemaker and Ed and sons always had excellent balanced, though modest meals, clean and never torn clothing, made beds (no one would ever think of going to bed without a shower). She not only maintained a near perfect house, she was also out in the fields pulling weeds, watering trees by the bucketful that still stand west of the house; whatever she could do to help.

Though her mother and a few of her other kin did visit, Millie missed her family in Nova Scotia. She maintained constant and consistent contact via phone and letter and it helped her cope with the everyday challenges of being so far away. Millie made friends easily and was frequently invited to play bridge and very much enjoyed playing golf with her friends on Royal Slope. Millie was a voracious reader. She loved to walk the farm with her several dogs and marvel at what it had become through very difficult times and plain, honest, hard work. But more than anything, she excelled at taking care of her husband and family.

Millie was preceded in death by her parents John and Maria Zwarun, and two brothers Peter and his twin John. She is survived by sisters and brothers: Stephanie, Steven, Michael, Frederick, Cecilia, Julia, William, sons Larry (Carolyn)-Royal City and Ed-Soap Lake, and six granddaughters and four great-grandkids.

At Millie's request, no memorial services were held. A small graveside service at The Memorial Gardens in Royal City for Ed and Millie will be announced at a later date.

Milldred Dorothy Zwarun Spalding

Gladys "Ann" Joanne Grisham

Gladys "Ann" Joanne Grisham, 55, died at her home in Moses Lake after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Per her request there will be no services. Cremation arrangements are in care of Affordable Funeral Options, Moses Lake.

Milldred Dorothy Zwarun Spalding

Leona E. Long

Leona E. Long, 93, longtime Moses Lake resident, died Feb. 19, 2007, in Washburn, N.D.

She was the third child of James and Pansy (Jester) Reynolds, bom on Nov. 17, 1913, in Ranchester, Wyo. She moved at a very early age with her family to Norman, Okla., where she attended school and became a lifelong fan of the Oklahoma Sooners. She had seven brothers and sisters with whom she was always very close and she liked to tell stories about their childhood days, working hard but having fun growing up.

She married Thomas M. Long in Norman and they set out on their new life traveling the country, from north to south, east to west, following the construction business. When irrigation of the Columbia Basin became more than a pipe dream, Tom was hired by Terteling & Sons to dig the main canals and so began Leona's almost 60 years in Moses Lake. They made their first home here in Central Trailer Park where she planted trees that stand today as the tallest ones in Civic Park. She also made friends there she cherished all her life. In 1964 Tom died while managing a canal project in Pakistan leaving Leona to continue bravely on raising her family alone. She will be buried by his side.

"Gaga" as she was lovingly named by her first grandchild and called thereafter by all the children in her life and many of their parents, loved her family dearly and spoiled them all with her wonderful baking and cooking and caring for their every want. So unselfish with her time, she spent whatever amount they wished playing games and reading and lending a compassionate ear. She was a bountiful gardener, enjoyed working in her immaculate yard and being outside.

Leona loved sports, especially football. She was known to wager a bet or two on her favorite teams, which changed over the years from her precious Dallas Cowboys to her closer-to-home favorite Seattle Seahawks. Her competitive spirit was often shared with her grandchildren who considered her a tough fan and a lot of fun at game time. She was a passionate believer in God and the power of prayer, placing her success and well-being directly in His hands. She was a member of the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church for over fifty years and until she lost her eyesight was an active member of the ladies circle groups.

Leona was preceded in death by her parents, all her brothers and sisters, and her adored husband Tom. She is survived by her three daughters and their husbands, (Carol & John Thom, Marilynn & Tim Hansen, both of Moses Lake, and Annie & Larry Gruenberg of Washburn, N.D.), 10 grandchildren, (Tom & Nancy Thom, Jim & Mary Thom, Mac & Lori Thom, of Moses Lake; Nathan Hansen, Seattle, Steven Hansen, Seattle, Pam Adkins, Gresham, Ore; Tomisue & Levi Beckman, Jason Walker, Shannon Lynch, all from N.D.; Erin & Jeff Weaver, Bremerton), 16 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great- grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Leona was deeply loved by her whole family and will be missed by many, finding comfort in their favorite "Gaga Story" forever in their hearts.