Agnes Marie Bugni

Agnes Marie (Aggie) Fischer Bugni, 96, of Cle Elum, died Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016, at

her home surrounded by her family. She was born May 15, 1919, Thorp, WA, daughter

of Fred and Eva (May) Fischer.

Agnes’s parents moved to Washington State from Plains, MT, and settled in the Kittitas

Valley. Working for the Northern Pacific Railroad they ultimately built their home in

Thorp, WA, where Agnes was born.

Agnes and Theodore Bugni were married Nov. 2, 1936, in Ellensburg. They made their

home between the Teanaway River and Lookout Mt where she and Ted raised their

seven children and an occasional cousin or two. During her life Agnes grew many

gardens, milked just as many cows, and became a master at cooking such Italian

dishes as polenta & bagna cauda. And of course she was always baking bread. Fall

was a time for canning which often involved trips to the lower valley to acquire the best

fruits and vegetables. Spring was time to pick the tender rhubarb which she turned

into her masterpiece rhubarb pie. Known for her sense of humor, her spontaneous

laughter was a joy to all. Agnes also had a fondness for multiple generations of cats

and dogs, many being rescue animals.

Agnes was able to play piano by ear and she loved to sing. Some of the family’s

fondest memories are of their Mother playing the piano and singing her favorite pop

songs and old time melodies. She eventually became a vocalist at St John’s Church

and was in demand for local weddings and funerals. She continued to lead the

congregation in song for the rest of her life. She especially loved to sing along to the

recitation of the rosary.

After years of logging, in 1967, Agnes and Ted purchased the Palace Cafe in

Ellensburg. Working outside of the home for the first time in her life, Agnes perfected

the art of serving her specialty dish of raviolis and pies on a large scale. The Palace

was eventually turned over to two sons, John and Peter Bugni.

Agnes was selected to serve as Queen of the upper Kittitas County Pioneer days, in

2004. This was a tremendous honor for her to be chosen to represent the community.

She loved the events and all of the people she was able to meet and entertain.

Agnes practiced her faith in Jesus Christ throughout her daily life. She was one of the

most humble and charitable souls who has inhabited this earth. As a lifelong member

of St. John the Baptist, Catholic Church she was very active in worship and the

charitable work of her church community. Agnes was a member of the Cle Elum Altar

Society and YLI. She often led the weekly rosary recital and was a long time member of

the church choir. One of her greatest joys was saying the rosary and attending daily

mass.

Agnes is survived by her sister Joan Meadows, her sons Michael (Penny) Bugni of

Bellevue; John (Karen) Bugni of Ellensburg, Pete (Gloria) Bugni of Ellensburg and

Charles Bugni Taylor Road; daughters Frances (John) Miller of Kent, Mary Ellen (Jim)

Brunaugh of Vancouver, and Theresa Barlen of Ellensburg; and 16 grandchildren and

26 great grandchildren. Agnes was preceded in death by her parents; her infant son

Paul, her husband Ted, her brothers Clyde Fischer and Paul Gerome Fischer; her

sisters Eva Hess, Ruth Pinter and Christine O’Brien.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St John The Baptist Catholic Church, 303 W.

2nd St., Cle Elum, on Tuesday, January 26th at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in the Swauk

Cemetery followed by a reception at Cle Elum Senior Center, 719 E. 3rd St, Cle Elum.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sudan Relief Fund, P.O. Box 7084

Merriffield, VA 22116.

The family would like to thank Hospice staff for their support and assistance.