Anna Ethel Waltar

After nearly three heroic years of fighting the ravages of endometrial cancer, Anna Waltar crossed the border from this world to the next. She was welcomed into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior on September 13, 2019, at the age of 80, surrounded by her family. We were all comforted by incredible Hospice care. Anna has left a legacy for the ages. She was born on August 29, 1939, and grew up on a small dairy farm in western Washington near Chehalis, WA, where she developed a love for the land at an early age. She graduated as valedictorian of her 1957 class, at Adna High School, then obtained an AA degree from Centralia College. She provided secretarial and financial help to Weyerhaeuser Timber Company, Northwest Public Radio, West Side Church in Richland, and numerous other organizations. She married her childhood sweetheart, Alan Waltar, in 1961, and faithfully supported his graduate studies at MIT (Cambridge) and the University of California (Berkeley). After graduate school, they moved to Richland, WA, living there for 35 years, where they raised their four children. They were active in West Side Church, making many lifelong friends. It was the joy of Anna's life to focus on raising their children. Several years after a one-year "sabbatical" at the University of Virginia (Charlottesville), Alan and Anna moved to Texas A&M (College Station, TX) where Anna enjoyed hosting many students, faculty, and university visitors, at their home, as well as family members and friends. Anna loved traveling to new places, and she eagerly accompanied her husband to over 30 different countries in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa, always bringing her trademark charm to new acquaintances she met. Her hobbies included tennis, gardening, genealogy, and writing. She combined the latter two interests by writing a Geiszler Family Roots booklet with her sister, Dorothy. Anna was especially delighted to meet cousins in Norway. But, her favorite times were spent one-on-one with family and friends. Perhaps her greatest legacy is co-founding the Ingalls Creek Enrichment Center, a Christian camp and conference center located near Leavenworth, WA. Her warm and welcoming hospitality will always be remembered as the spirit and sparkle of this unique center for renewal. Some of this is reflected in the book "Flowing With the Faithful" that she co-authored with her husband, on the early history of the Center. She and Alan built their retirement home adjacent to the Center, where they continued to live while being active members of the Cashmere Presbyterian Church. Anna was preceded in death by her parents, Ben and Grace Geiszler; and a brother, Norman Geiszler. Surviving are her husband, Alan Waltar; her siblings: Walter (Margaret) Geiszler and Dorothy (Gene) Giannobile; children: Steve (Suzy) Waltar, Doug (Susan) Waltar, Karen (Tarn) Faulkner, and Bruce (Suzanne) Waltar; and nine grandchildren. She will be remembered by family and friends at the following separate services. First, Saturday, September 28, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. there will be a gathering at the Sandrini Dome (adjacent to Adna High School near Chehalis). The second will be a gathering Sunday, September 29, 2019, at 3:00 p.m., at Ingalls Creek Enrichment Center, 12355 Ingalls Creek Rd, Peshastin, WA, near Blewett Pass, WA. The final Memorial service will be Saturday, October 5, at 2:00 p.m., at West Side Church, 615 Wright Ave., Richland, WA, to be followed by a reception. Donations honoring her life and legacy may be directed to the Ingalls Creek Enrichment Center, 12355 Ingalls Creek Road, Peshastin, WA 98847.

Anna Ethel Waltar

August 29, 1939 - September 13, 2019