Isabel Roseburg

Isabel Roseburg was born March 4th, 1926 to Christopher (Chris) and Mary Matheson of Ellensburg, WA. Her father Christopher, a Scottish native, was a well-traveled man who first immigrated to United States in 1912. When World War I broke out, Christopher enlisted in the British Army and the Scottish Highlander division, eventually meeting his future wife Mary, who was a nurse in London. Mary was born in Australia to Scottish parents, and immigrated to Scotland with her parents at the age of 7. Chris and Mary migrated to the United States shortly after marrying, and settled in Ellensburg, WA where they bought a farm. They had three children, Isabel, Christopher Alexander (Allie), and Katherine (Rasor,) of which Isabel was the oldest. Isabel enjoyed the rural lifestyle, but often talked about the difficulty the Great Depression caused for the family. Upon graduating high-school in 1944 Isabel attended Central Washington University, and eventually went to work for the Bonneville Power Administration, which was building out electrical transmission lines at the time. Like many women of the time, she wanted to prove that she could be a "career woman" and stand on her own two feet.

Isabel met and married Hartvig (Jr.) Roseburg of Cle Elum, WA in 1952. Jr. and Isabel developed a farm from raw ground northeast of the emerging farm town of Moses Lake in March of 1952. Jr. and Isabel lived in a camp trailer that first summer, and lived like true "pioneers," hauling water out from town and battling the elements. They also made great business partners what with Jr.'s love of farming and Isabel's bookkeeping skills. Their first son Daniel was born in November of 1952, and after raising a bumper crop of potatoes, they built their home in the winter of 1952-53. Daughter Patricia (Patti) was born in February of 1954 and son, William was born in April of 1957. Isabel and Jr. bonded with many of the other local farmers in this area, which resulted in being founding members of the Block 40 club. The club sponsored the Block 40 Jr. Rodeo and built the Block 40 community building on Stratford Road. They also built the Block 40 "Little Red Barn" that is still a popular booth at the Grant County Fairgrounds. They also belonged to the Sons of Norway where Isabel served as treasurer. It was heard to be said that due to her being "Scotch" she was the only one the Norwegians could trust with their money. She also was a long-time member of the philanthropic club the "Gloydettes," that was made up of many of the women who lived in Block 40.

Isabel always took tremendous pride in her Scottish heritage, and conversed regularly with family members there. One of the finest experiences of her life was when Jr. and Isabel took a trip to Scotland in 1974 to get acquainted with them. Isabel and Jr. retired in 1987, and the two of them enjoyed their retirement years frequently traveling across the western United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Jr. and Isabel were active members in the RV community, and bought a winter home in Mesa, AZ. They enjoyed many fine years there, and made many good friends. In her later years, she enjoyed spending time with friends and family, and watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow and develop lives and families of their own. Isabel is preceded in death by her husband Jr. her father, mother, and both siblings. Isabel is survived by sons Dan (Vicky) and Bill (Charlotte), daughter Patti (Joe) Kurkowski, grandchildren Chris (Ali) Roseburg, Kerry (Nicole) Kurkowski, Lisa Roseburg, Stacie (Steve) White, Michele Roseburg, Michael Roseburg, Farmer Roseburg, and Maggie Roseburg, and great-grandchildren Kylie White and Camryn and Liam Roseburg.

A celebration of Isabel's life will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, June 13, 2014 at the Moses Lake Presbyterian Church, 1142 W. Ivy with Dr. Paul Wagner, Officiating. Private interment will be in Guarding Angels Cemetery, 2595 Road L NE, Moses Lake. 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.