Georgia Rich

Georgia R. Rich, 82, passed away on Monday, August 16, 2021, in Yakima, WA. Georgia Rae Wilken was born on November 19, 1938, in Leavenworth, Washington to George E. & Velma L. (Sharrard) Wilken. Georgia joined her parents and older brother Morey on the ranch, (as she called it), in Dryden and was in the last graduating class of Dryden before Peshastin & Dryden consolidated. She had many pets growing up, but she especially enjoyed telling the stories of their pet deer, Bambi & Kippy. In school she participated in band & drama. Her mom was the school cook and she was elated and proud, when years later, people would ask her about her mother's recipes. She had fun stories to tell about after high school traveling with friend and roommate, Elaine, and then went on to graduate from the Wenatchee School of Commerce and earned her first job at the Douglas County PUD. In November of 1960 she met Eddy Rich and by Christmas they were engaged. Ed and Georgia wed on February 18, 1961, at the Dryden Congregational Church. They made their home in East Wenatchee and on June 19, 1962, they welcomed son Brad. Georgia then became a stay-at-home mom. Her and Brad would travel and stay with Ed at his construction sites in Washington and Oregon. In 1968, they adopted daughter Kimberly. Georgia and friend Sandi, along with their kids spent a lot of fun times together, as well as helping friend Verla with crafts and flowers. Ed & Georgia both belonged to the Jaycee's, were volunteers and judges at the Chelan County Fair, were on the board of the softball association and managed the concession stand for many years. Georgia was a great cook and enjoyed baking, canning, and entering goods in the fair in her younger years. She was a PTA mom, class mom, Bluebirds and Campfire mom, and spent many hours cheering us on at sporting events and chaperoning school dances. When Brad & Kim were teenagers, Georgia took a part-time job at the country club. A phone call looking for her sister-in-law then landed her a job with the Washington State Apple Commission. She made many friends at the Apple Commission and retired from there in 2000. She and Ed bought a summer place at Watson's Harverene Resort on Lake Chelan where they spent many hours pulling kids waterskiing. They especially enjoyed spending time there with friends and family. In 1988 they spent time traveling in Europe with Ed's brother Don & his wife Gerre and visiting exchange student daughter Bettina and her family in Finland. Georgia and Ed moved to the ranch in Dryden in 1996. She sadly lost Ed in 1997. She kept herself busy with old friends, spending lots of time with "the girls," meeting for lunch, going out for dinner, playing Bunco and Pinochle, and going to church. She still volunteered at the fair once in a while, and belonged to the Dryden Improvement Club. She helped with yard sales, chili feeds, working at the rest area, funeral dinners, picking scholarship candidates, pie socials, and she especially liked helping plan Dryden's 100th Birthday Celebration. She and friend Earlyne spent time going to town together, talking on the phone for hours, and did a little traveling together. They walked Cashmere collecting aluminum cans to donate dog & cat food to the Humane Society, and they spent a summer cleaning graves in Cashmere. Georgia, along with friends Diane & Donna, started the free community meals at the Cashmere United Methodist Church, which they did weekly for years, and the three of them were named Citizens of the Year for their efforts. She helped make quilts with friends at the Lutheran church and especially liked going to concerts, musicals, and plays. When not busy with friends, she spent a lot of time working in her yard, talking to Kim on the phone every day, finding things for Brad to help her with, and going to her grandchildren's events. The whole family is grateful to Dave Barnett for his friendship and leasing and taking care of her orchard. Georgia is survived by her son Brad (Chris) of Dryden, WA, and daughter Kimberly (David) of Yakima, WA; Grandchildren, Troy (Amber), Lana, Edward, Bryan, and Kat(JR); Great grandchildren Izzie and Raylan. She was preceded in death by her husband Edward, her parents, brother Maurice, and granddaughter Shelby. Arrangements are being handled by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee. At her request, there will be no viewing. A graveside service will be on Friday, August 27, 2021, at 2pm, at Evergreen Memorial Park, 1301 10th St. NE., East Wenatchee (10th is under construction, take 8th St. to Jennifer St.), and dinner to follow by the Dryden Improvement Club at the community hall behind the Dryden Fire Department. Donations can be made in Georgia's honor to the Humane Society or Alzheimer's Association.

Georgia Rich

November 19, 1938 - August 16, 2021