Loren Adrian Knemeyer

Loren Adrian Knemeyer was born to Adrian and Ella Knemeyer at their home on the NE corner of Poplar and Central on August 17, 1929, in Waterville, WA. He died October 8, 2012, in Wenatchee, WA. Loren graduated from Waterville High School in 1948, and later from Refrigeration Engineering School in Portland, OR. Early on, Loren worked for Marshall Wells in Waterville as a Refrigeration and Appliance Repair Mechanic and did various jobs for Marcus Griggs from time to time in Orondo. He moved on to work for Alcoa as a Switch Gear Operator in the Plant Rectifier Station, for over nine years. He then worked for Federal Electric Company on the Tieton Missile Project, doing Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Loren then worked on a brine ship in Alaska owned by August Mardesich, the Washington State Senator at that time. After the fishing season was over, he came back to Washington in the autumn of 1962. His father passed in January of 1963, and he stayed with his mother for a while after that. Next, he went to California, where his cousin, LeRay Knemeyer, helped him secure a job at North American Aviation. He moved to Nevada and began working for Washoe County Fair and Recreation at their Coliseum, and then for ITT on building their new CTB Telegraph Center. Finally, he came home to Washington for good in 1975, and settled in East Wenatchee, where he worked for several warehouses doing cold storage refrigeration. Lastly, he worked for the Eastmont School District as a Head Custodian and really enjoyed being around the kids. He continued to live at his East Wenatchee residence until his death. Loren very much enjoyed the outdoors, and was an avid camper, hunter, and fisherman. He was fond of spending time with his family. He also was an inventor and liked to tinker... a lot. One of his creations was an adjustable sight for a compound bow, which he designed, built, and patented. He was very creative and artistic. He also created educational tools for special needs children. Loren also liked to build and fly model airplanes. He played card games like Cribbage, Rummy and Solitaire. He had a great singing voice and enjoyed the music from his era. He frequently liked to tease, tell stories of the good ol' days, and was very charming. He was greatly loved by his family. He is, and will be, greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his father, Adrian Frederick Knemeyer; his mother, Ella Pearl (Dutton) Knemeyer; his ex-wife, Lorraine Griggs; his ex-wife, JoAnn Kingery; his daughter, Elise Ann Knemeyer; his son, William Lee "Billy" Farrar; and his grandson, Shane Alan Chapman. Survivors include his beloved wife of 33 years, Judith (Harsh) Knemeyer of East Wenatchee; brother, Lelon Knemeyer of Woodinville, WA; sister, Gloria Dahlke of Spokane, WA; sons, Ron Knemeyer of Oregon, Mike (Rosie) Knemeyer of East Wenatchee, Marcus Knemeyer of Malaga, David Knemeyer of Colorado and Tom (Jacque) Knemeyer of Seattle; daughters, Cindy Claus, Jeannine Chapman and Cheri (Toni) Warner, all of Bellingham, WA, Lori (Evan) O'Malley of East Wenatchee, Nanci (Sean) O'Connor of Spokane and Erin (Brian) Walston of Bellingham, WA. Loren has 36 surviving grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of his Life will be held at Telford's Chapel of the Valley on Saturday, October 20, 2012, at 11:00 a.m.

Loren Adrian Knemeyer

August 17, 1929 - October 8, 2012