Ovella Mae Yurian
May 25, 1932- June 8, 2019
Ovella Mae Yurian passed away on June 8, 2019 peacefully at home surrounded by her family.
She was born the youngest of eight children on May 25, 1932 in Flora, Illinois. Not long after her family relocated to the city of Buena, Washington. She attended and graduated from Toppenish High School In 1950. Toppenish is also where she met the love her life Kenneth Yurian; they were married on Nov. 18, 1949. Ovella was very passionate about finishing out her schooling career and attended WSU where she graduated from in 1954.
Ovella and Ken lived in many places while welcoming four children along the way: Mike, Rick, Doug and Cathy.
In 1983 they made their home in Othello, where they raised Black Angus cows on their farm. They never once ate their own cows; as Granny would say ‘They raised the cows to feed other families, not her own.” She loved being in her yard and garden from sunup to sundown, making it look immaculate year after year. The red rose bushes were her favorite flower to see in her yard. Many memories were made on the farm with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Whether it was helping in the pastures or helping in the yard, she always loved having them around.
Ovella was employed by the Washington State Unemployment Office; she retired in 1994 after 25 years of service. Ovella love to help people out and this job was perfect for her to do so. She will be remembered for her selflessness, her strength, her big heart and long stories that she shared many times with family and friends. She was always willing to help anyone, even a stranger on the street. She always saw the good in people no matter what. Ovella was a huge fan of the Gonzaga Basketball team; she never missed a game on TV, Perkins and Tilley were her favorite players.
She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth to whom she was married for 61 years; her son Michael Yurian; her mother Lula (Padgett Kneft) Neftzinger; her father Roy Mitchell, five brothers Roy Mitchell Jr,, Walter Kneff, Bill Kneff, Charles (Chuck) Kneff and James Kneff; two sisters Ruth Thompson and Mary Deak and one daughter-in-law Jackie Yurian.
Ovella is survived by her three children Rick Yurian, Doug Yurian and Cathy Dominguez (John). She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandson.
A small service will be held at Stevens Funeral Chapel In Othello on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at 1 p.m.
Special thanks to Central Washington Hospital, Dr. Rachel Lundgren, Wenatchee Wound Center, Samaritan second- and third-floor staff, Kadlec Wound Center and the Hospice staff for your helping hands.