Wayne Marsh Tower

Wayne Marsh Tower was born April 22, 1932, to Guy A. and Leah L. (Marsh) Tower in Helena, Mont., joining a sister, Lois. 

During his childhood and through the 1950s, he lived in Mont., graduating from Corvallis High School in 1950 and operating a small dairy and farm operation with his father. 

During 1951, Wayne married Mary D. Fierce and they had three children: Varlyne in 1952, Lance in 1953 and Lindsey in 1957. 

During 1959, the dairy and farm operation in the Bitterroot Valley was sold and Wayne moved with his family to Eastern Washington where Wayne worked on dryland and irrigated farms. In 1964, Wayne purchased a 400-acre irrigated farm south of Ephrata where he lived until his passing. 

Wayne married Helen J. Bly during 1965 and his family grew to include Helen's children, Jody, Becky, Nancy, Donald and Terry. 

Wayne farmed with Roger Etter, his son-in-law, and helped the farm grow and transition to many different crops over the years. Wayne was proud of his farm operation and the quality of the crops raised. The family farm continues with Jim Etter, his grandson, and Ethan Etter, the next generation, coming back to farm. 

Wayne enjoyed his family, raising crops and managing the farm while meeting and socializing with many of the farmers and other families in the area. But when winter rolled around, Wayne and Helen enjoyed traveling to Hawaii. It was a lot warmer, and family and friends were expected to come and visit if they were in Hawaii! 

Wayne passed away March 2, 2024. 

Wayne was preceded in death by Helen Tower, sister and brother-in-law Lois and Ernie Johnson, Varlyne Reiter and Donald Bly. 

He is survived by Jody Etter, Becky Harris, Nancy Hustad, Lance Tower, Lindsey Tower and Terry Bly, along with nine grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren and many in-laws who were a big part of Wayne's life. The family is planning a gathering to celebrate Wayne and his life at the Community Church of Ephrata, 54 K St. SE in Ephrata, Wash., on April 27, 2024 at 1 p.m.