Aurora Louise Updegrave

Aurora Louise Updegrave passed away peacefully in her Moses Lake home on December 4th, 2013. She was surrounded by her four children and loving husband of 68 years. Aurora was born in Reno, Nevada on July 16, 1924 to Jerome and Louise Brook. She spent her school years in Sandy, Oregon where she met Arlie Updegrave, her lifetime sweetheart. They married on October 2, 1945 in her parent's home in Sandy amidst white gladiolas. Arlie was serving in the Air Force at the time as an aircraft navigator.

Arlie and Aurora moved to Moses Lake in 1952 and spent the early years of their marriage building the family business, Lad Irrigation. Very community minded, Aurora enjoyed her time as a Community Concert officer and a 4-H leader. She was a member of the PEO, the Skyline Acres Garden Club, and the Presbyterian Women's Association. She filled many roles in the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church, including Deacon, however Aurora's favorite role was rocking babies in the nursery. She was drawn to the little ones.

Aurora was hard working and generous to all in heart and spirit, but family was her greatest priority. She never let her work as a bookkeeper get in the way of raising her family with apparent ease. She actually retired from Lad Irrigation to take care of her grandchildren and never regretted the decision. Besides cuddling children, shopping and eating out were her special treats.

Aurora was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Roy Brook of Sandy, Oregon. She is survived by her husband, Arlie Updegrave, her son, Ron Updegrave with wife Kay of Moses Lake, daughter Susan McMillan with husband Brad of Moses Lake, daughter Lisa Olin with husband Charles of Union, WA, and Jan Wilson with husband Roland of Allyn, WA, and her sister, Dort Johnson of Fresno, CA; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She was loving and well-loved. Her ready smile will be missed.

Services will be on Tuesday, December 10, 2013 at 2:00 pm. in the sanctuary of the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church, 1142 W. Ivy with graveside ceremony at Guarding Angels Cemetery, 2595 Road L NE at 1:00 pm. Viewing will be held from noon to 7 p.m., Monday, December 9th and from 10 a.m. to noon on Tuesday, December 10th at Kayser's Chapel. Please sign the online guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel & Crematory. In lieu of flowers, donations for the nursery at the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church will be gladly accepted.