Netta Mae Whipple

Netta Mae Whipple was born on Nov. 1, 1926, in Ford, Washington, to George Edward Reed and Lillie May (Greenman) Reed. She had four older siblings, Vett Reed, Pearl (Reed) Kelso and Vera Jean and Verna Jane Reed, her twin sisters who passed away at birth in 1924.

Netta died on Oct. 13. in the Cheney Care Center.

Netta grew up on the family farm at Ford, helping out with canning the vegetables and taking care of the chickens. She attended grade school in Ford and high school in Reardan.

She graduated in 1943 as the youngest in her class at the age of sixteen. She attended Kinman Business University and spent some time in Florida where she learned to fly small airplanes.

Netta came to Sprague in 1948. She went to work for the Old National Bank and met her soul mate, Richard Charles Whipple. They were married on Sept. 29, 1950.

She worked at the bank until 1951 when she decided to stay at home and raise her seven children. Her children were her life and she loved spending time with them.

In 1971, Netta went to work at Sprague City Hall as Clerk and Librarian. She held this position for 20 years. She received the “Citizen of the Year” Award in 1991.

She was an active member of Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Sprague for 65 years.

God and family were the most important aspects of her life. She was the heart of the family.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Richard Whipple; her children, Mike and Karen of Spokane; Mark and Penny of Puyallup; John and Nancy of Puyallup; Pat of Sprague; Joe and Janet of Sprague; Sandy and Jim Pelissier of Sprague; Kevin and Sheila of Spokane; 18 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be held at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church in Sprague, at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, followed by interment at Maccabee Cemetery.

Friends and Family are welcome to gather for a luncheon at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Sprague following the service.

Visit Netta’s page at http://www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com.