Vernon A. Wellsandt

Vernon A. Wellsandt died at the age of 91 on Feb. 27 in Moses Lake.

He was born on Sept. 12, 1921, to Ludwig A. Wellsandt and Catherine Harder (Jess) Wellsandt on the family farm near Ralston, Wash.

Catherine’s first husband, John Jess had died in August of 1918. He is survived by his sister, Erma Ferderer Spencer.

Vernon Wellsandt and Elsie Verner were married April 14, 1949. They remained on the family farm, raising wheat and livestock until they retired to “town” in Ritzville in 1981.

He loved the family farm and devoted his life to the place where he was born. He had two stepchildren: Arlo Verner and Vesta (Verner) Smith; four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

After 52 years of marriage, Elsie passed away March 4, 2001. On Oct. 27, 2001, after knowing each other since 1939, Vernon Wellsandt and Roberta (Sheimek) Maier were married at St John’s Lutheran Church in Medical Lake.

He gained four stepchildren, Terri (Maier) Ste. Marie, Cathy (Maier) Streigel, Sally (Maier) Brooks and Chris Maier; ten grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He and Roberta lived in Ritzville, but made many trips to the farm to feed the cat. His biggest passion in life was the family farm. They lived in town in Ritzville until 2011, when they headed off for Assisted Living at Summerwood in Moses Lake.

A graveside service is planned at Emanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Ritzville on Saturday, March 23, at 2 p.m. Danekas Funeral Home and Crematory is entrusted with the arrangements.