Illah M Glenn

YAKIMA - Illah Marie (Struthers) Glenn passed away on March 3, 2014, in Yakima. She was born in Culver City, California on November 18, 1923, to John D. and Artha (Crowther) Struthers. Two years later the family moved to the Yakima Valley, where she lived for the rest of her life. The second born of five children, Illah had a close and special relationship with each of her siblings.

Illah graduated from Cowiche High School and kept up with fellow classmates all through the years, and most recently for a class reunion last summer. She married her high school sweetheart, Stanley R. Glenn on December 18, 1943. Illah and Stan were married for over 59 years.

They started their family when living at the Ahtanum Ranger Station in the mid-1940’s, where Stan worked for the Forest Service and began his logging career. Sons Dave and Dan were born while they lived at the ranger station and it was at that time that Illah’s youngest sister Nancy came to live with them. In 1953 the family moved to Wiley City and they added daughters Lynda and Mary Kay to their family.

Illah worked as an apple packer for Hull Ranches for many years, working along side her best friend Marcy Clark. She became a licensed realtor in 1971, working for over 40 years in the industry. She eventually became a partner and manager of a real estate office, a director of the Yakima Association of Realtors, President of the Central Washington Women’s Council of Realtors, held office in the Washington State Farm and Land Institute, and was a Master Residential Appraiser. During her real estate career she was honored to have received several special recognition awards from the Yakima Association of Realtors, most notably the Washington State Special Realtor Achievement award through the Washington Association of Realtors in 2001.

Throughout the years Illah was involved in many community service projects. She was a life member of the V.F.W. Auxiliary 379, a founding member ofthe Ahtanum Women’s Service Club, and a member of the Women’s Century Club. She was a 4-H, Camp Fire, and Cub Scout leader. She helped organize polio sugar cube clinics in the early 1960’s, and helped with United Good Neighbor and March of Dimes fundraising drives. She also taught ceramic classes and at one time owned a hair styling salon.

Being very artistic and creative, Illah enjoyed oil painting, ceramics, crocheting, and sewing for her children. She especially loved to make her very special scrapbooks that chronicled every special event or occasion of any and all family members. Above all these things Illah was a dedicated and loving mom and grandmother. Nothing meant more to her than her children, for whom she would do anything. She took great delight in the addition of each and every new grandchild and great-grandchild. Most important to her were family gatherings and holidays spent at her house. She was a beloved aunt to both the Struthers and Glenn sides of the family.

Illah is preceded in death by her husband, Stanley R. Glenn, son, Dave E. Glenn, her parents, brother Jack Struthers and sisters Ada Pruitt and Doris Barge. She is survived by her children: Dan (Vickie) Glenn, Lynda (Mike) Sissom, Mary Kay (Richard) Sybouts, and her beloved sister, Nancy Ortman. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren: Heather (Randy) Sides, Travis (Rhonda) Glenn, Darrick (Heather) Glenn, Hailey (Jake) McCaffrey, Hunter (Savanna) Sissom, Kacey (Josh) Medrano, Cody Milner, Kelsey (Jessica) Milner, Chyann Sybouts, Klayton Sybouts, Kevin (Diane) Sybouts, and Sage Terrill. She is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren and many loved nieces and nephews.

The family owes special thanks and gratitude to granddaughter Chyann Sybouts, who over the last 10 years spent almost every night with her grandmother, so that Grandma wouldn’t be alone. This meant more to Grandma Illah and the family than can ever be conveyed. Thank you sweet Chyann.

While the last three weeks were difficult, the Glenn family wishes to extend a special thanks to the CCU staff at Memorial Hospital, to the caring hospital chaplains, and to Pastor Joe Hite. Please remember our mom as the unique, fun-loving, kind-hearted, and sweet person we all knew and loved.

Viewing and visitation will be held on Sunday, March 9, noon - 5:00 pm at Keith and Keith Funeral Home. Graveside services will be conducted on Monday, March 10, 1:00 pm, at West Hills Memorial Park, with a gathering at the Wiley City Rodeo Grounds Blue Barn immediately following the service. Donations in Illah’s memory may be sent to The Memorial Foundation, 2701 Tieton Drive, Yakima, to benefit community healthcare programs.