Hildegard Haddie Sutton

Our mom, Hilde Sutton (Hildegard Haddie Chrisolas), leaped from earthly life to eternal glory Wednesday, February 29, 2012. She was born in Wapato, WA the only child of immigrant parents, Peter and Paula (Reipe) Christolas - a Greek and German - on June 19, 1928. (Language apparently was not a problem). Since her father worked for the railroad, they lived in a boxcar in Wymer, WA. She became orphaned at six years old then her parents died for Botulism as a result of poorly processed green beans. She was taken from a family she knew and given to an aunt whom mom didn't know to live in Bellingham, WA. Life with her German aunt Hilde, was not easy; mom was an unexpected, unwanted burden. Treated as domestic help and given the responsibility of watching over her two younger cousins, she survived. She really loved her cousins and fondly thought of them as her sister and brother. After graduation from Bellingham High School she returned to Wapato and the family she knew before the death of her parents. She lived with her Aunt Anna Blasky and worked at the Oasis Cafe. While working at the Oasis she started dating Raymond Dorr Sutton who worked next door at the Liberty Theatre. They were married June 19, 1949 in the Lutheran Church in Wapato. They lived in Wapato, shared 53 plus years together and had three daughters, Marci, Nancy, and Lori. They attended Wapato Community Presbyterian Church when Joe Dixon was the pastor. During this time they developed many close friendships and Mom also taught the first grade Sunday School class. During the school year she opened their home to a weekly "Good News Club" for the neighborhood grade school children. She provided care for children of moms who were teachers in the Wapato School District.

After the girls started school she worked part time for the Wapato School District as a cook in the high school kitchen with Rae, Charlotta and Jean - the four merry mixers. After several years she made a career change and worked for Dr. Edward Nelson as a dental assistant for more than 25 years retiring to care for dad after he had a stroke.

In 1970 mom had the courage to run and was elected to a position on the Wapato School board. This was one way God helped remove the shadow of worthlessness she grew up with. She served two terms, retired after dad's stroke but returned to serve one more term. She took her services seriously and was not afraid to take a firm stand on principle for the best interest of the school district.

Events kept mom and dad young. When it was possible they attended as many football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, tennis matches, ballet, piano, band, and choir performances that the grandkids were a part. She would say to dad "Get in the car; we're going to a ballgame." They became a familiar pair at YVCC, the Yakima Bears games, Yakima Beetles as well as other venues -mom pushing dad in his wheel chair and parking it where he could see and she would find her regular seat in the bleachers where she made sure her opinion, wisdom and advice was heard to managers, coaches, umpires, and owners, no one was exempt. She shared many Bears games with Doll, Yvonne, Betty.

In more recent years she was an active member of the Yakima Republican Women's Club enjoying the fellowship of the women (and men) who were of like mind - love of God and country. She enjoyed listening to the speakers, asking pertinent questions, expressing her opinion and of course Lunch. FOX news was always on at her house and even in the caring facilities. She wanted to know and wanted to live to vote in the 2012 election. This current regime had to go and she wanted to vote.

Mom's childhood wasn't the best, but God used it for good. She learned how to cook. Her bread, dinner rolls, pecan pie, pecan rolls and many other delicious feasts. She shared her pecan rolls with the basketball tournament staff one year. They became a must in the hospitality room. Someone would greet her at the entrance door to make sure those rolls got the hospitality room. If you not there when the rolls arrived; too bad, so sad. If you can believe it she received a "D" in sewing class when she was in high school. Boy, did she prove that teacher WRONG! After the girls were born she made all their grade school clothes, doll clothes, and then clothes for the grandchildren and enjoyed every minute. Then she became an impassioned "Quit-a-holic". She mad quilts for her daughters, grandchildren, friends, and Life Choices babies. Fabrics in every unoccupied space, batting, buttons, books, catalogs, magazines and at one time had five sewing machines - all different brands that different things.

At her death she was a long time member of Grace Bible Church.

Mom was out-spoken (you knew exactly where she stood), overbearing at times, had her opinions, passionate about her politics, loved her family (she would make every effort to go the extra mile for us) and her LORD Jesus Christ in whose presence she abides face to face.

Mom is precede in death by her husband, Ray, parents, Peter and Paula Christolas, her two cousins, Shirley Preston, and Gary Ellefson, and her son-in- law, Mike Ransier.

She is survived by three daughters, Marci Hata and husband Glenn, Nancy Ransier, and Lori Edgerly and husband, Rick; nine grandchildren, Aimee Macosky and husband Sean, Julie and Greg Hata; Clint, Blake, and Olivia Ransier; and Jocelyn Larsen and Husband Jason, Holly Porter and husband Fred, and Drew Edgerly; two great grandchildren, Howard and Stone Larsen.

The family would like to thank the wonderful care givers at the Gasseling House and those Yakima Regional Hospice Care for the nursing service.

Graveside Services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday, March 8, 2012 at Tahoma Cemetery. Memorial Services for family and friends will follow at 2:00 PM at Keith and Keith Terrace Heights Chapel with reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Grace Bible Church or the Union Gospel Mission c/o Keith and Keith Funeral Home, 902 W. Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902.

Mom believed: God so loved Hilde that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16