Raymond "Bob" Rosenkranz

Jan. 12, 1923 at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Yakima. The oldest of three children, the family home was located where the Warehouse Theater currently exists, and his father was the Gilbert orchard manager. The family later lived on 56th Ave. where Bob helped with the farm work, raising sheep, cows, pigs, chickens as well as pear and cherry orchards, and a large garden. He rode the horse while his Dad handled the cultivator.

Bob attended Wide Hollow Elementary, Franklin Junior High, and Yakima High School and during his high school years he was president of his church missions group. Bob worked for a while at J.C. Penney and thoroughly enjoyed it.

He enlisted in the Marine Corps in May of 1942 at the age of nineteen, which his parents were unaware of until it was announced from the pulpit at church. He was stationed at San Diego, California; Wellington, New Zealand; Hilo, Hawaii; Agana, Guam; Tarawa, Gilbert Islands; Quantico, Virginia; and Camp Lejuene, North Carolina. Then he served with the 2nd Marine Division as a Sergeant and the Fleet Marine Force as Radio Chief and qualified as a Rifle Marksman and Pistol Sharp Shooter. His division was awarded the Unit Presidential Citation. He was presented Asiatic-Pacific Area and Victory, WWII Medals December 6, 1948 at DHRS, Seattle, WA.

Bob returned to Yakima after his discharge from the Marines and was introduced

to a beautiful girl in Portland, Oregon. December 15, 1945, he walked up the front porch steps to her home and saw Margie for the first time. It was love at first sight for both of them and they were married May 11, 1946. Their love for one another has only grown stronger through the years as they have shared their love for

the Lord with their family and friends and experienced God's abundant blessings.

Before enlisting with the Marines, Bob had passed the letter carrier exam and received a request to work at the Post Office while he was overseas. After his discharge from the Marines he was hired as a sub carrier and carried mail for several years in the 32nd Ave. to Westpark area where he still has fond memories of the residents on his route. He was appointed foreman for three years of duty, then promoted to Manager of the West Side Station. After 32 years of postal service he retired in 1978.

Through the years Sunday dinners and holidays were always spent with Grandma And Grandpa Rosenkranz of Tieton, WA and Bob's siblings' families. Summer Vacation meant visits to Portland to Grandma and Grandpa Wilson and Margie's Siblings, where the children slept on cots in the attic and played with their cousins. The big family vacation was always to Cape Lookout State Park, Oregon.

The station wagon was crammed with the family of seven, Portland Grandma Joined them along the way, two large tents, sleeping bags, clothing and food for

a week at the beach. Every summer they played and relaxed together - climbing Sand dunes, splashing in waves, digging huge holes or building sandcastles, and Savoring the favorite camp-fire dinners followed by homemade cookies, fudge,

or smores.

In addition to his full-time job and maintaining an orchard, Bob assumed numerous

responsibilities at Westpark United Methodist Church and later at Yakima Evangelical Church. Whether Sunday School Superintendent, teacher, treasurer, or usher he always worked with enthusiasm and creativity. He had a heart for missions and he and Margie traveled to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Colombia on work crusades during retirement. In later years Bob enjoyed volunteering in his daughter Sandy's fourth grade classroom where he assisted children with their reading. He also shared his Marine experiences with his son-in-law’s and daughter’s classes for Veteran’s Day each year.

In July, 2010 Bob and Margie moved to Wynwood of Yakima where they received the loving care they needed. They made many new friends with staff and residents and especially enjoyed the musicians and the worship leaders who faithfully came in every week. During the six months they lived at Wynwood they were more active and happier than they had been in their last few years living at home. The Family is grateful for all the support we received from staff during our parents' time at Wynwood.

Raymond is survived by five children, Sandra Tharp (Jim) and Sally Clark (Rick) of Yakima, Rodney Rosenkranz (Linde) of Salem, Ore, Linda Edmondson (Al) of Richland, and Terry Van Gorkom (Tom) of Maryville, TN. He is also survived by one sister, Dolores Blomberg, and one brother, Ken Rosenkranz (Carlos) as well as nieces, nephews and their children. Also sixteen grandchildren and spouses:

Mark Tharp and Jo Whitney, Kim and Eric Schmidt, Michelle and Chris Taylor, Scott Rosenkranz, Tricia and Matt Baxter, Brian and Megan Rosenkranz,

Jeff and Allison Edmondson, Beth and Duane Olsen, Ryan and Karl Edmondson, Megan and Brad Martin, Angie Clark, Chad Clark, Matthew Van Gorkom, Regina and Will Wade, Jessica and Elijah Windle Kyle Van Gorkom and nine great-grandchildren: Kiara, Jason, Shawn, Jessica, Noah, Sonja, Naomi, Hannah, Aurora, and a great-grandson due in March.

Because Pastor Dylan Does is out of the country for several weeks, the family wishes to wait so that he may do the service. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM, Fri., Feb. 25, 2011 at Yakima Evangelical Church (7901 W Nob Hill Blvd). Private graveside inurnment is planned. Keith and Keith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. The family suggests that remembrances in Bob's honor may be made to Yakima Evangelical Church, Children's Wishes and Dreams, Children’s Village or Union Gospel Mission. To share a memory of Bob visit, www.keithandkeith.com