Charles Joseph Czapiewski

Charles Joseph Czapiewski, 87, of Kittitas, Washington, died March 22, 2014, in Tucson, Arizona. He was born January 8, 1927, in St. Phillips, Montana. His parents, Alie and Gertrude Czapiewski, moved the family in a 1926 Model T Ford to the Badger Pocket area near Kittitas, Washington. This is where Charles grew up and attended school. He bought a truck and began hauling hay locally and then had a brainstorm and started hauling to the coast. Charles worked on several highway construction crews and built seven miles of fence in Whiskey Dick. He worked on a stationary baler for Jim Seaton and then went into the U.S. Army for two years. After returning from the Army, he worked for many farmers and hauled just about everything--sugar, beets, silage, potatoes and corn. He owned 34 tractors and 41 trucks during his lifetime and custom baled from 1973 to 1989. He enjoyed his dog, Heidi, who went with him a lot of places. He is survived by his sisters, Christine Seaton of Ellensburg, Rita O'Grady of Lynnwood, Maryann "Sam" McNichol of Kittitas, and Eva Meehan of Federal Way; and brother, Thomas Czapiewski of Lacey. His burial took place on Monday, March 31, 2014, at Holy Cross Cemetery in Ellensburg, Washington. Arrangements were under the direction of Steward & Williams Tribute Center, Ellensburg, Washington.