Elda M Hosmer

Elda Bianchetto Hosmer, 87, of Yakima, kept her New Year's Eve date with her late husband, Richard, joining him on December 31, 2012. She passed away peacefully at Summitview Healthcare Center with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.

Elda was born in Cle Elum, Washington on July 29, 1925, to Francesco and Amabille Segalla Bianchetto. Her parents emigrated from Lugo de Vicenza, Italy in 1920 to join other family members in the Cle Elum/Roslyn area. In 1934, Elda, her parents and two brothers moved to Elk Meadows to clear land for a small farm.

As the only daughter of immigrants, Elda didn't speak English until she started school. After graduating from Cle Elum High School in 1944, Elda remained at home to care for her ailing mother until her mother's death in 1950.

Elda moved to Seattle to attend nursing school and graduated as an LPN in 1956. While working at Harborview Hospital, her roommate coaxed her into a blind date. This date turned into a lifelong love as she and Richard Hosmer were married on February 2, 1957. They lived in Seattle, having a daughter, Trina, followed by a son, Rick, and another daughter, Linda. In 1968 Richard and Elda moved their family to Yakima to be near Richard's parents, Bill and Pearl, who resided in Tieton where Richard was born and raised.

As a child of the Great Depression, Elda was always frugal and worked hard in the garden and in the kitchen canning produce and making ravioli and gnocchi for her family. She loved yard sales and thrift stores, always looking for a good deal. But Elda was generous with her money and time, volunteering for school and scout groups and helping family and neighbors.

Travel was a big part of Elda and Richard's lives; first with 3 small children in a Volkswagen van, then in a series of travel trailers. Family road trips always included museums or other educational spots as Elda believed that her children should learn while having fun. After Richard's retirement from the Postal Service, the couple took RV trips to New England for the fall colors and to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Alaska and Hawaii were also enjoyed along with a trip in 1969 to Europe where they met Elda's Italian family and visited the homes where her parents were born. Elda served as interpreter on that trip, as she could still speak Italian.

Elda loved her extended family and was delighted by her nine grandchildren. As long as she was able, she attended school band performances, basketball and hockey games and was always proud of her grandchildren’s good grades.

Elda was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Aldo and Conrad, and her loving husband, Richard. She is survived by her children, Trina and Rob Good of Yakima, Rick and Christine Hosmer of Spokane, and Linda and Pat Michaels of Greer, SC; grandchildren, Dylan Good of San Francisco, CA, Kevin and Anne Good of Newcastle, WA, Brendan, Amanda, Brooke, and Callan Hosmer of Spokane, WA, Beth, Emma, and Allison Michaels of Greer, SC; sister-in-law Lottie Bianchetto of Milwaukee, WI; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Bonnie and Paul McNamara of Kamiah, ID; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to the staff of Living Care Retirement Community for their love and devotion to Elda over the last eleven years. Her sweet smiles and warm hugs will be missed forever, but we are at peace knowing she is reunited with her loving husband and her Lord.

Memorial gifts may be made to Living Care Retirement Community or to the donor’s favorite charity.

Visitation will be 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, January 6th at Keith & Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. A Funeral Service will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, January 7, 2012 at Central Lutheran Church with burial following at West Hills Memorial Park. To share a memory of Elda, visit www.keithandkeith.com.