Lena Karoline Heath

Lena Karoline (Carlin) Stumpf Heath Lena was born in Chester, Montana in 1914 to Conrad & Anna Stumpf and was the last of 12 siblings to survive. Lena's family moved several times; from Odessa, Washington (where four children were born), to Chester, Montana (where three siblings were born, including Lena), to Saskatchewan (where another three siblings were born). In Saskatchewan, they tried homesteading but found it difficult to make a living, and moved to Wenatchee (where two more siblings were born). Lena was a vivacious girl with a mind of her own. When her mom tried to marry her off to an older man, she ran away from home and joined the Salvation Army where she went to school and became a nurse. Nursing was her passion. She traveled all over the mid-states delivering adopted babies to their parents. She once traveled by train and bus all the way from California to Chicago, then delivered a baby to Texas. While working in Wenatchee, Lena met Osmond "Dutch" Wilson Heath, her husband of 59 ½ years. They stayed in Wenatchee and had their first child, Doreen. To find work during the Depression, Osmond traveled to Salinas, California. Lena followed him after few months. In Salinas, they had two more daughters, Marilyn and Belva. After the Depression ended, they moved back to Wenatchee and had another daughter, Christine. Five years later, two sons, Conrad and Osmond L. were born. When the children were able to help take care of the household, Lena returned to work, not in nursing, but packing fruit in a packing shed near her home so she could keep watch over her family. Lena eventually found work in nursing homes in Wenatchee. She was especially compassionate with the elderly and cared for many people who needed a gentle hand to comfort. Lena was sometimes the life of the party. When it was too hot to eat indoors, the kitchen table would get moved outside and Lena would start water fights, ending up in laughter and chaos. She enjoyed mushroom hunting with her children but also kept the location of some patches a secret. Lena also loved family picnics and would cook up a batch of fried chicken, load the family in the car and head off to Chelan, Wenatchee Lake or Fish Lake to camp. In 1958, Lena and Dutch moved to Seattle along with their two sons and youngest daughter. Here Dutch found work and Lena worked at the Ballard Hospital. She enjoyed working alongside doctors caring for the ill and injured. While living in Seattle, Dutch had an injury that stopped him from ever being able to work again. Lena took on the duties of caring for her husband in addition to working at the hospital. She was an example of inner strength to all who knew her. In 1976, Lena and Dutch moved to Cle Elum where they purchased a home. Lena loved roses and filled her yard with her favorite varieties. After ten years-they returned to Wenatchee and purchased a home. Lena planted even more roses and became known as the "Rose Lady," showing her roses off and giving them to others. Dutch died in 1995 leaving Lena to live alone. Loving to travel, Lena expanded her horizons, traveling to Germany, Mexico, Hawaii, Montreal, Denver and Desert Springs, California. Lena also attended and considered Saddlerock Evangelical Presbyterian Church as her house of worship. At the age of 84, Lena joined the Kiwanis. There she met her companion, Jim Connor. The two became close friends; wherever you found Jim, Lena was at his side. Lena and Jim enjoyed going to garage sales, attending Kiwanis meetings, and traveling to visit their families. They tended to Lena's yard, and then Jim's, pruning roses and picking fruit. In the evenings, they watched TV together until falling asleep in their recliners. Lena, for her long-term membership and service was awarded posthumously, "Wenatchee Kiwanian of the Year for 2016". Lena also enjoyed going to the Apple Blossom pancake feeds, helping to serve her community. She attended most Kiwanis and Apple Blossom meetings until her death. Lena is survived by her six children, 16 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She is loved and will be missed. A Celebration of Lena's life will be held in Wenatchee at the Saddlerock Evangelical Presbyterian Church 1:00 PM Saturday, October 1, 2016 with a reception to follow. Memorial Donations may be made to the Salvation Army. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA

Lena Karoline Heath

February 10, 1914 - September 11, 2016