Les Gittins

Les Gittins of Cle Elum, Wash., formerly of Moses Lake, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, went home to the Lord Jan. 31, 2009, after a long and hard battle with emphysema.

Les was born July 15, 1929, in Minneapolis, Minn., to Les and Bette Gittins. This is where he met the love of his life, Margaret, when he was 17 and she was 13. They were married on July 22, 1950, and had 58 1/2 wonderful years together. Les’s family was first and foremost his whole life. He was an avid woodworker and made many items for his family to enjoy. He also enjoyed boating and snowmobiling until his health deteriorated. Les and Margaret also provided a loving and safe home for 79 girls over the years as foster parents. He retired in 1989 from Sears after 34 years.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret of Cle Elum, Wash., three daughters, Amy Lou (Tony) Blount of Ritzville, Wash., Jo Ann (Mike) Fretwell of Anchorage, Alaska, and Beth Ann (Norm) Cook of Cle Elum, Wash.; seven grandkids, Talana Blount, Geoff Cook, John (Jennifer) Denson, David (April) Denson, Tutti Hodge, Jason (Charity) Cook and Lisa Cook; eight great-grandkids, Chyla, Kira, Graysen, Dylan, Kaitlynn, Amanda, Talan and Brody. He is also survived by his brother John (Dot) Swanson of Alexandria, Minn., and three sisters, Joyce (Gene) Stromberg, Shirley (Ralph) Blakenship and Pat (Don) Leiser and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father and two grandsons, Kevin Cook and Brandon Blount.

At his request there will be no funeral services, but memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 ATTN: Tribute Dept. Acct.# 23264852 or to the local Humane Society.