Ruth Eloise Demorest

Lee Demorest, 91, a homemaker and loving, patient mother to four children, passed away early Friday morning, August 8th, 2014 at Hearthstone Cottage in Ellensburg, with her daughter, Jan Demorest, by her side. All of her children and other family members and friends had been with her frequently in the past few months.

She was born to parents Paul Ragnar Wickholm and Augusta Elizabeth Wickholm in Rochester, WA, on June 8th, 1923. She graduated from Rochester High School and, in later years attended Central Washington University, with studies in art, weaving, and elementary education.

She married Art Demorest (Arthur) in 1941 in a garden ceremony at her parents' home on the prairie near Rochester. They lived in Seattle for a few years, moving to Ellensburg in 1945.

She loved books and had an extensive library. In recent months, she was unable to read, but loved listening as family members read to her. Some of her favorites were historical fiction and accounts of the early West, James Herriot's short stories, and books about life on an Irish farm.

She loved the outdoors and always found the biggest, ripest huckleberries and the most morels. On picnics in the hills around Ellensburg and on the many "rides" we took as a family, she was always the first to spot a deer or an elk, a hawk or an eagle.

She was an active member of the Ellensburg Presbyterian Church, serving as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, youth group adviser, choir member, Women's Association member, and was one of the "Cone Ladies" making evergreen cone decorations for the annual holiday bazaar. She worked tirelessly for decades creating arts and crafts to help make the Ellensburg Presbyterian Church's bazaar a success each year.

Traveling was a joy. Lee was fortunate to make several trips abroad: to Germany in 1979 and to Peru in 1996. A special memory was of the mid-1970's trip she made to Sitka, AK, with the church High School youth group, as a counselor/chaperone.

She served as Kittitas County Civil Defense Director and assistant to the Kittitas County commissioners during the 1950s and early 60s. She was also a bookkeeper for Berry's Dept. Store, and worked for the Ellensburg Title Company for a number of years.

Lee loved gardening and was a member of the Queen of Spades Garden Club. Her iris and peony garden was glorious! She was a talented quilter ~ on her own and with her quilting group she created many beautiful quilts. She was an artist in paints and ceramics, creating many pieces in both media. She taught ceramics and pottery for the Ellensburg Parks & Recreation program for several years, and also enjoyed teaching arts and crafts at the Elmview School. Lee was a dedicated 4-H leader, guiding many a needle (and seam ripper) in the hands of her other "daughters", judging entries at the county fair, while managing to win countless blue ribbons for her own concoctions and creations. She was greatly loved and will be missed by many.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Henry Demorest, her sister, Bonnie Calkins, and brother, Robert Wickholm. She is survived by daughters: Jan Demorest of Ellensburg, Jeanne Demorest of Thorp, WA; sons: William Demorest of Bothell, WA, David Demorest of Freeland, WA; Grandchildren: Zachary Bahmiller, Claire Smith, William Demorest; Great-grandchildren: Daniel, Emily and Jeffrey Smith; and many other wonderful friends and family.

A memorial service and celebration of Lee's life will be on Saturday, August 23rd, at 10:00 AM at Ellensburg Presbyterian Church, 1307 E 3rd Ave, reception with light refreshments to follow in the church social rooms.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice Friends, Queen of Spades Garden Club, or a charity of your choice,

perhaps related to one of Lee's many interests: quilting, flowers and gardening, nature, children, animals, arts.

Her cremation arrangements are under the direction of Steward & Williams Tribute Center, Ellensburg, WA.