Arretta Marie Childress

little house on the prairie in South Western, North Dakota. Her three brothers and two

sisters were also born in the homestead house. With the help of a good mid-wife or good

neighbor ladies. The closest town was seven miles away, called Buffalo Springs, it was

named for the popular watering spot for the buffalo that had roamed in the area. A dam was

built by the railroad in 1907 to form a lake to supply water for the engine.

She went to a school in a one room school house. Where the teacher taught all eight

grades, beside keeping the fire going in the pot bellied coal heater. In 1920

the school was named Buffalo #2 grainbelt township. Arretta played the old pump organ

at school, that is how she learned to play the piano. Arretta won first prize in a eighth grade

spelling contest for the entire county-written spelling contest. They had to make their

own entertainment. Kerosen lamps, no running water and they had to carry water for

everything in the house from a well. When Arretta was 10 years old she had an operation

for a hernia and ruptured appendix and stayed in the hospital for six weeks in Miles City, Montana.

Arretta worked in a air craft plant during World War II at Douglas Aircraft in Santa Monica, CA.

She worked at Del Monte in Toppenish and Skokelys frozen foods in Zillah as a floor lady

for several years.

She loved music, playing the piano and quilting. Arretta was a member of the Central Lutheran Church in Yakima.

Arretta married Art Weed in March 10, 1933 at Boeman, North Dakota. They had

thirtyfive acres place near Zillah, WA and lived in Zillah for 25 years. Art passed

away Feb. 16, 1968.

In Sept. 25, 1970 Arretta married Art Childress Sept 25, 1970 in Grandview, WA

They lived in Granger for 26 years, owning 17 rentals and doing all the work

themselves. Art passed away June 27, 1996.

Arretta moved to Yakima in 1996. Starting in January 29, 2009 she went on cruises

and trips, Europe, Hawaii, cruises thru the Panama Canal, Caribbean Islands and

Alaska.

She was a special Step-mother, loving and caring. She was a great hostess and good

cook. She liked to play the piano for us.

Arretta is survived by stepsons, Jack (Nancy Jo) Childress and Ron (Diana) Childress;

step-daughter, Faye (Richard) Halsted; and step-grandchildren and great grandchildren

and several nieces and nephews in the Midwest. She was predeceased by parents,

William and Marie Dingfelder, three brothers, Clarence, Warren and LaVern, sisters,

Iren Simantel and Vivian Ellingson.

A graveside service will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, December 12th at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens. A memorial service will follow at 3:00 p.m. at Central Lutheran Church (16th & Yakima Avenue). In lieu of flowers please make memorials to Summitview Health Care Center of care of Keith & Keith Funeral Home.

To share a memory of Arretta, visit www.keithandkeith.com.