Elaine Delores Monroe

Elaine Delores (Halle) Monroe March 19, 1931 ~ July 4, 2013 Elaine Delores (Halle) Monroe passed away on July 4, 2013, surrounded by family. She was born in Seattle on March 19, 1931, to Chris and Elma Halle. She was the second youngest of four children and enjoyed growing up in the Ballard area and was very proud to be of Norwegian and Swedish heritage. She attended Ballard High School '48 and then went east to Pullman and attended Washington State College and graduated with an Education degree in 1952. While attending Washington State, Elaine was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority and served as vice president and president. Following college, she returned to Seattle and taught grade school at Olympic View Elementary. In 1953, she began dating Bruce Monroe and, on August 7, 1954, they were married in Seattle. The daughter of a west-side fisherman all of a sudden was the wife of an eastside rancher. They settled in Bridgeport, WA and worked the family orchard and began a family with both Kristi and Lenny being raised in Bridgeport. In July of 1962, Elaine and Bruce moved to Wenatchee and settled on First Street, where for 45 years they would make their home. Here in Wenatchee, her youngest son, Michael, was born. Elaine would build a vast network of friendships that lasted her entire life. Whether it was attending her son's football, basketball, skiing, and baseball games, or Kristi's cheerleading and ballet, she loved to be with her kids. She enjoyed being involved with a variety of groups: Dance Club, The Follies, and Bridge Club were just a few. Many hours at Mission Ridge were spent as a family skiing and numerous trips to Sun Valley with friends were enjoyed over the years. She was also part of the Apple Blossom Festival and was a chaperone for two years and truly loved working with the ladies who made it such a special time in her life. In the 1980's, she and Bruce purchased The Kitchen Witch Gourmet Shop, located on 2nd Street, where Kristi, her daughter, helped manage. Traveling with Bruce was a special treat and they made numerous cruises to various parts of the world and loved to spend time in Mexico with friends at Rincon de Guayabitos. She traveled to Norway for two family reunions and looked forward to receiving their Christmas cards each year. But, her favorite spot was undoubtedly the cabin at Warm Beach, where each August Elaine would entertain and cook for everyone and anyone who would come visit. Celebrating their wedding anniversary at Warm Beach each August was their special treat to each other for 55 years of marriage. Elaine loved going to WSU Cougar football games and every fall would attend most of the home games with Bruce. Even these past few years, while she was not able to attend the games, she watched or listened with her Cougar gear being worn. With all three kids attending WSU, she loved going back to campus and built lasting friendships with fellow Cougars. In 1978, she was honored by WSU by being selected as Mom of the Year. A big void in our lives is felt on earth now with Elaine in heaven. While our hearts ache, we need to keep looking up and know she is now free of pain and reunited with Bruce, Kristi, her sister, Doris, and her parents. Special thanks go out to the health care providers the past few years: my cousin's wife, Dena Halle, Ashley Willms, Wendy Allen, Summer Dickenson, Donella Rogers and the compassionate crew at the Maple Lodge is truly appreciated. Elaine is survived by her two sons, Lenny (Susy) of Woodinville, WA and Michael (Tracie) of Boise, ID; one sister, Ruth Ejde and one brother, Roland Halle, both of Seattle; and seven grandchildren, in which she was so proud of and loved being with: Laura, Amy, Joshua, Michael, Daniel, Joanna, and Matthew. She was preceded in her death by her parents; husband, Bruce; daughter, Kristine; and sister, Doris. A Memorial Service is planned for Saturday, July 13, 2013, at Grace Lutheran Church, 1408 Washington Street in Wenatchee, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a reception at the Wenatchee Golf and Country Club, 1600 Country Club Drive in East Wenatchee. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org) or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's (www.michaeljfox.org). Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Elaine Delores Monroe

March 19, 1931 - July 4, 2013