Peny Rae Archer

Peny Rae (Massie) Archer, 64, was born Aug. 1, 1960, in Belle Fourche, S.D. She moved to Moses Lake with her parents and sister in 1973. She graduated with her GED from Moses Lake High School in 1978, began her adult working career as a dispatcher with AAA Readymix, and then married her soulmate and the love of her life, Richard Archer, on March 11, 1983. 

Her strong will and personality were as endless and beautiful as the Moses Lake Sand Dunes. In 1990, Peny and Rich were instrumental in founding the Moses Lake Sand Scorpions off-road group. She put in countless hours helping to keep the dunes open, and in the beginning, she was the brains behind the financial and family events for the club. Back in those days you could always find them in the dunes by spotting their old red bronco or bright blue sand rail.

On any given Sunday she could be found at home surrounded by every bit of extended family having brunch. After renewing their vows at 25 years of marriage in 2008, she fondly became known as Spear Chucker, and she sure had a clan of people that loved her. Friday nights were her Chico’s pizza nights and Saturday she had to have her prime rib with horseradish. 

She was always up and awake before 5 in the morning, taking her coffee black, and with that she had the energy to get working. Peny has been with Community Services of Moses Lake since 1999. In 2005 she was promoted to the Assistant Executive Director. She has been the Operations Manager at the Food Bank since 2010. Peny had endless energy and passion for helping people. She always seemed to be the first one to jump up and help or give to anyone that she cared about. 

Her passion for the cause transformed the food bank from what it was on Marina Drive into her favorite and final project on Beacon Road. She spent countless hours writing grants with a team including senator Judy Warnick to build the significant distribution center on the land donated to CSML by the Marchand Charitable Trust, which currently serves over 40 food banks in five counties. It was only the beginning to an even larger plan of hers to help bring food and services to the struggling families and individuals of our beloved community. Even after her terminal cancer diagnosis she refused to retire. 

Peny was always so worried about taking care of others that in the event of her death she requested that any usable organs be donated. Her beautiful green eyes went to the Lions World Vision Institute.

Peny is preceded in death by her parents, Clyde and Shirley Massie of Kennewick, Wash., and Richard’s parents, Norbert and Rosalie Archer of Moses Lake, Wash.

She is survived by her huge clan: Her loving husband, Richard Archer, and their children, Jessica (Jeremiah) Starkweather, Donavyn (Donald) Rhyne, Lexie (Rocky) Wilson of Lubbock, Texas, and Cody Archer. They had 13 grandchildren and several great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Pamela (John) Rosas; in-laws Pamela (James) Lybbert, Michael Archer, Donald (Cindy) Archer, Tereica (Dave) Kaumheimer and Connie Baxter; and many nieces and nephews. 

Verbally or physically, she was a scrappy protector and a guard dog, just like her favorite cowboy, John Wayne. She had a knack for bringing in people and giving them love as if they were her own. Among those is Andrew Surface, whom the family would like to personally thank for helping so much during her final days. 

In the end she requested a family dinner set for Jan. 5, 2025, and after a full day of reminiscing and heartfelt goodbyes, she passed away peacefully at 10:30 p.m., surrounded by a house full of family. She was dressed in a beautiful yet comfy purple outfit, wearing her favorite Vanderbilt perfume and with a flower in her hair.

At her request, please skip the flowers this time though and donate to the Moses Lake Food Bank for Building 4 or volunteer for a few hours to help continue her legacy of service. A celebration of life will be scheduled at a later date. 

Please express your thoughts and memories for the family at www.kayserschapel.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kayser's Chapel of Memories.