Donald Timlick

November 14, 1936 – December 3, 2022

Donald Charles Timlick passed away Dec. 3, 2022, in Moses Lake, Washington. He was 86 years old. Don was born in Rolla, North Dakota on Nov. 14, 1936, to the late William Robert Timlick and Hilda Louise Timlick (Saich). He has resided in Royal City, Washington since 1977 with his wife Betty Timlick, where they farmed many crops including apples, alfalfa and corn.

Don moved from North Dakota to Lonepine, Montana at the age of 10, and at the age of 16 he married his wife, Betty Stratton. They celebrated their 69th year of marriage on Oct. 15 of this year.

In 1957, after working several jobs including felling timber, Don moved from Montana to Seattle Washington in order to start work at Boeing. After working at Boeing for about a year, he purchased his first service station selling gasoline and performing small automotive repairs. His wife Betty learned how to handle all of the bookkeeping, and they continued to work as a self-employed team for all the years that followed.

After several years of owning service stations, Don decided to begin his career in real estate. He bought and sold property around the greater Seattle area for about 12 years and enjoyed telling stories about his experiences doing so.

In 1966 Don decided to pursue flying small aircraft as a hobby. He absolutely loved flying and all of the adventures that came along with it. He felt very welcomed by the flying community, and actively participated for years to follow.

In 1977 Don and Betty purchased a farm on the Royal Slope of Eastern Washington. He wound down his real estate career and began farming as a full-time job. Having grown up on a farm, Don was not a stranger to the work. He enjoyed fixing and working on tractors in order to keep the operation going. Throughout the 1990’s Don and Betty hosted a family get together at the farm called “Apple Picking.” In September when the apples were ready, they would invite family and friends to help pick them. This grew into such fond memories for the family, which pleased Don greatly. He absolutely loved getting the family together, even if it meant centering it around a little hard work.

Don and Betty farmed for many years before leasing the ground out so they could retire. In retirement they would travel south for the winter to Yuma, Arizona, where they eventually purchased a winter home. His love of “old timer” music often led him to local music festivals and dances in the area. Music was a hobby of Don’s and he enjoyed playing the piano, guitar and fiddle.

Don was the youngest of 11 siblings and was preceded in death by his brothers James, William, Albert, Floyd (Pete), and George and his sisters; Grace, Sylvia, Evelyn and Florence. He is survived by his sister Marge Denny of Shelton, whom he admired so much, his wife Betty of Royal City, Washington, daughter Florence Wilkins of Grapeview, Washington, son John (Mahnaz) Timlick of Plano. Texas, daughter Patty (Bob) Paysse of Grapeview, Washington, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The family is planning a small graveside service in Montana, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Timlick Farm in the spring.

Please express your thoughts and memories at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser’s Chapel of Memories of Moses Lake, Washington.