Mrs. Fred Rich, resident of Wallowa for the last 48 years, passed away Friday morning (May 29, 1936) following a lingering illness. While the end came somewhat suddenly, she had been in failing health for more than a year and her recovery had long been despaired of. Funeral services were held from the home Sunday afternoon at 3:30, with a large number of friends and relatives paying their final tribute and a mass of flowers testifying to their esteem. The services were conducted by Rev. C. N. Trout of Enterprise.
Mrs. Rich’s maiden name was Mary Goebel. She was born May 18, 1884, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Goebel, in Humboldt, Brown County, Wisconsin and died May 29, 1936. When four years old her parents removed to Wallowa County, first settling in Middle Valley and a short time later moving to Bear Creek, near Wallowa, and it was here she was reared to young womanhood and married to Fred Rich, son of another pioneer family, June 24,1908.
To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Rich three children were born, the first child dying in infancy and the twins, Hilma and Wilma, now young ladies, together with their father, surviving. Other surviving relatives are her father, Peter Goebel of Wallowa, two sisters Mrs. M. E. (Christina) Waelty of Middle Valley, and Mrs. Cal (Maggie) Hetrick of Wallowa, and four brothers, Charles R. and William F. of Wallowa, Lawrence of Berkeley, Calif. and John K. of Wilder, Idaho. All were here for the funeral except Lawrence, and John was accompanied by his wife and four daughters.
Others from out of town who were present for the services included Mrs. Mildred Merrill and son, Sonny (Edwin) Goebel, of Flora, Mrs. Frank Keener, Mrs. Lawrence Estes, Mrs. Andy Stewart, Mrs. Roy Daggett and Mrs. John Bennett of Joseph.
The pallbearers were W. W. Womack, L. J. Willett, E. S. Wolfe, J. H. Bratton, John Thompson and Hugh Dougherty. Burial was in Wallowa cemetery.
Mr. and Mrs. Rich had been residents of Wallowa all of there married life with the exception of a brief time when Fred was employed in the grocery business at Joseph.
Contributed by: Phyllis Tuning
