Ralph E. Olson "Grampa"

Ralph E. Olson, 90, lifelong Moses Lake resident, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2007, at Lakeridge Special Care Center in Moses Lake.

He was born May 22, 1917, in Northport, Wash. He moved to Moses Lake when he was 6 years old and attended country schools there. He farmed with his dad northeast of Moses Lake. He married Emily Buckley on June 14, 1942. He continued to farm until 1986, when he retired. He was fondly known by his farming friends as the farmer who could fix anything needing fixing and who was always willing to work on his many projects from A to Z. These words still echo in our ears, "If Ralph can't fix it, no one can." Ralph was a hard-working man. At 70 plus years of age he helped his youngest son build a car wash here in Moses Lake. He enjoyed deer hunting and he got his share of them too. Going gold dredging was a great adventure he enjoyed doing with one of his sons. Gardening was of special interest to him, he loved to see things grow. I guess that was the farmer in him. He had a deep love for animals and there wasn't an animal that didn't like him.

He had special feelings of love and concern for his family. We all had our special place in his heart. His quietness, patience and gentleness will long be remembered. His simple way of life taught us to be happy and content, because the important thing was that we were a family and we had each other. Our hearts are happy that he touched our lives in such a personal way. We will miss him, our friend, our father, and grampa.

He is survived by his loving wife, Emily; they were married for 65 years; children, son Duane and daughter-in-law Dolores of Spokane, son Darel of Moses Lake, daughter Charlene Foss of Redding, Calif., daughter Betty and son-in-law Dan Wolford; brother-in-law Ivan Cole of Moses Lake; seven grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be Saturday, Oct. 27, at 1:30 p.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 1610 W. Lee Street, Moses Lake.