Naia Wheeler

Naia was born October 11, 1938 in Winston, New Mexico to Tommie and Lucille Ritter. As a child, she grew up in Vantage where her parents owned a small ranch and later a gas station. They later moved to Kittitas where they owned and operated the Clock Garage and Cafe. Naia attended Kittitas schools and lived in Kittitas with her husband Buford and sons Tim and Kevin until the last few years when she moved to Ellensburg. She was a "Kittitas" native through and through.

Throughout her life, Naia worked at Berry's Department Store, Buttons Jewelers. And was an Avon Representative to many in the Kittitas Valley. Naia loved traveling with her in-laws Jessie and Harriet Wheeler in their motor home, riding in their dune buggies, and scrapbooking and writing about all their adventures. Holidays and the Ellensburg Rodeo were the highlights of her life.

Naia is survived by her son, Kevin (Christie) of Kittitas, Washington; parents Tommie and Lucille Ritter of Cottage Grove, Oregon; sisters Lovey LaCoste (Ken) of Cottage Grove, Oregon and Tomi Ranee Bonneville (Dennis) of Port Orchard, Washington; four grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband Buford; son Tim; granddaughter Daisy; and sister Darlene Ritter.

Thank you to all her good friends, classmates, relatives and especially her caregiver Star Simmons for all you support and love. She cherished every minute she spent with you.

A memorial service will be held at Stewart and Williams Funeral Chapel, 301 East Third Avenue, Ellensburg, Washington on Saturday, September 3, 2011 at 11:00a.m. A Celebration of Life will follow the service at Kittitas Community Hall in Kittitas, Washington.

Arrangements under the direction of Steward & Williams Tribute Center, Ellensburg, WA.