Lodema Belle Marquett

Just three months shy of her 103rd birthday, Lodema Marquett slipped quietly from this life on November 3, 2011. Born on Thorp Prairie in Kittitas County on February 1, 1909, Lodema was raised on the family homestead with her three brothers and one sister. The oldest child of Charles and Ethyl Thomas, she assumed much responsibility for the household chores and care of her siblings. Perhaps it is no coincidence that she did not leave this world until her youngest and last surviving sibling passed 14 days prior.

In 1928 she fell in love and married her charming beau, Walter Marquett. They settled in Cle Elum where they raised their three children. Lodema was the head cook for the Cle Elum School District and everyday she made the best darn bread the students have ever eaten. In her leisure time she enjoyed camping and fishing trips with her family and friends. She had particularly fond memories of the many days she spent in the dirt with her grandchildren at Jamison Lake. It was on these trips that she taught her grandchildren the fine arts of fishing and kindness. Lodema also loved to crochet. She kept her family in an endless supply of afghans that kept us warm as we pondered her very “intriguing” color combinations.

Upon their retirement Lodema and Walter moved to Shelton, WA to be near their son, Jack. In 1981 her beloved Walter passed, leaving an emptiness that could never be filled. In 1998, Lodema moved to Yakima to be near her son, Gale, and resided at Crescent Health Care where she actively participated in activities including volunteering for the Washington Reading Corps program at Gilbert Elementary School. As her health waned so did her participation, with the exception of her perpetual hall patrol; the corridors at Crescent will not be the same without her security and surveillance services.

Lodema was preceded in death by her husband, Walter; her brothers Johnny, Roy, and Jerald; and her sister, Pearl. She is survived by her daughter, Irene; her son, Jack (Jill); and her son Gale (Shelley); eight grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.

A celebration of her life and legacy will be held next spring on Thorp Prairie. The family would like to thank the caring staff at Crescent for the attention and support they provided for our mother.

Keith and Keith Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.