Mom was born on July 9th, 1937 to Clyde and Barbara Whalen in Bellingham, Washington. She grew up in Custer and graduated from High School in Ferndale, Wa. with her lifelong childhood friends in 1955.
She met her husband, Robert Leitz in North Bend, Washington in 1956. They were married fifty-one years. We lived in Monroe, Washington from 1958 to 1973.
We later moved to Selah, Washington where she ran a dairy. All of her cows were tame. One in particular wouldn’t leave the milk barn until after mom walked out of the milking pit and gave her a kiss. The cow would then flick a switch and walk out the door. If she was out in the field they would all surround her. Each and every one had a name.
Later on she raised Holstein Replacement Heifers. The farmers would be in awe over the beautiful livestock she raised.
She was the best mother and grandmother anyone could ask for. We all loved her very much and are heartbroken over losing her. She was like a tigress when it came to her family and a good friend to many. We have fond memories of her singing. She had the most beautiful voice and sang often to her children, grandchildren and her cows.
Rarely did anyone leave her house without canned fruit or jams or jellies she put up. She was known for her wonderful pies. She was always making them for us and her grandchildren.
She loved her roses and if a new one came out she had to get it. They brought her a lot of joy.
She’s preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Leitz, parents Clyde and Barbara Whalen, her father and mother in law, Edward and Geraldine (Putz) Leitz, brothers Larry and Robert Whalen, and two grandsons, Robert J. Leitz and Aaron A. Leitz.
She leaves behind her children, Robert (HeiDee) Leitz of Sequim, Barbara (Doug) Button of Gleed, Robin (Dennis) Zerr of Gleed, Joseph (Leidiane) Leitz of Shelton, Lisa (Brad) Greenwalt of Odessa, and Margey Leitz of Ellensburg, adopted daughters Wendy Leitz of Olympia and Naty Leitz of Poulsbo. She also leaves her grandchildren, Rina, Edward, David, Diana, Brian, Curtis, Ricky, Shannon, Lindsey, Sandi, Laura, Joseph, Samantha, Mac, Kari and Jimmy, and a total of 34 great-grandchildren; brothers David (Brunetta) Whalen of Finley, Gerry (Donna) Whalen of Idaho, Greg Whalen of Oklahoma, and her aunt and uncle Jack and Lola Whalen of Yakima; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.
Everyone who knew her loved her. She was the most kind and compassionate person ever and the best mother anyone could ask for.
We’re going to miss you mom until we meet a again. We all love you so much. This never should have happened.
Services will be Saturday, June 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Langevin El Paraiso Funeral Home. Interment will be at the Wenas Cemetery with a reception to follow at Fairbridge Inn.
