Aloha Dawn Zurfluh

Cherished Daughter, Sister, Wife, Mother, and Grandmother

Aloha “Sis” Zurfluh, 91, passed away peacefully in her home on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, in Monroe, Washington, after a long and beautiful life.

She was born November 27, 1934, to Leo and Laverna Raben in Winner, South Dakota. She grew up with two older brothers, Dale and Jack, and a little sister, Shirley. In 1937, the family left South Dakota and began their journey to Monroe, Washington, where Sis would spend the rest of her life.

Sis graduated from Monroe High School in 1952, where she was a cheerleader and homecoming queen. On Halloween, she agreed to go on a blind date where she met a man named Ed, whom she described as “a looker”—and the rest was history. They were engaged by Christmas and married on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1952. Whenever asked about Ed, she said that he was the best thing that ever happened to her. Their shared mission was to create the best, most full life for their children and grandchildren, and they succeeded.

Sis was blessed with four daughters: Cathy in 1953, Cheryl in 1954, Connie in 1957, and Carol in 1960. Later on, she also helped raise her granddaughter, Kerrie, and her grandson, Joey. Family was her life.

Aside from her family, Sis managed and ran the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Monroe for 61 years. She loved her work and served the community faithfully well into her 80s, meeting with people during the darkest moments of their lives and guiding them through the process of laying their loved ones to rest.

She enjoyed traveling, especially to Hawaii, because everyone there loved her name. She also cherished memories of family trips to Port Susan and Disneyland. She made it her life’s purpose to give her grandchildren an idyllic childhood. Full of ice cream, popsicles, chocolate milk, pool parties, holiday gatherings, and hours spent playing hide-and-seek. She never seemed to tire of games of make-believe or countless calls of “Grandma, watch me jump off the diving board!” She made life magical.

Sis was the heart and soul of the family, the Matriarch in every sense of the word. She was the first call, the rock, the comfort, and the one who could make everything better. She truly believed that life was best lived surrounded by family.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Ed Zurfluh. Her parents, Leo and Laverna Raben. Her brother, Dale Raben; brother, Jack Raben; sister, Shirley Raben Woolery; and son-in-law, Larri Manni.

She is survived by her daughters, Cathy (Chuck) Blacker, Cheryl Blair, Connie (Mike) Williams, and Carol (Alex) Manni. Her grandchildren, Kerrie (Tito) Gonzalez, Shane (Lauren) Williams, Joseph (Candice) Blair, Charlie Blacker, Connie Dawn (Derek) Bardsley, Tyler (Meghan) Blair, Carl Blacker, Codi Townsend, and Heidi (Terry) Krug. Her great-grandchildren, Alyson, Nicholas, Kyleigh, Isabella, Kiriana, Dartanian, Diamond, Madison, Ayliana, Emma, Autumn, Penelope, Eli, Leo, Ryker, Lukas, and Winona. Her nephew Randy Woolery and his children, Sean and Samantha. Her two soon-to-be grand-sons-in-law, Kevin and Rajkiran.

Our dear Grandma Sissy will be laid to rest next to her husband of 59 years, in a private ceremony with family. In lieu of flowers, please hold your loved ones close.