Horace Love Elliott
Wenatchee, Washington
March 21, 2008

Horace Love Elliott peacefully passed away at his home in Wenatchee on March 21, 2008, with his wife of 69 years at his side. He was born May 31, 1917, in Waterville, WA. His parents, Lewis R. and Mildred Oleta (Love) Elliott were long time residents of Douglas County and both originally homesteaded in Del Rio before marrying in 1906. Horace lived in various places in Douglas County because his mother taught in several schools. He graduated as Salutatorian from Waterville High School in 1935. Horace then lived with his parents in Withrow where he bought a truck and started hauling for hire. On February 19, 1939, at St. Joseph's in Waterville, he married Mary Heisig (from the Heisig homestead ranch east of Withrow). Horace said of his wife, "The best wife a person could have." They made their home in Withrow until the fall of 1997, and then moved to Wenatchee where he lived until passing away.

After trucking for many years, he turned to farming. His first property was a quarter section of land that was purchased with his brother, Eyler Elliott. In 1983, Horace was named "Conservationist of the Year" by the South Douglas Conservation District. While farming, he started and operated a farm supply store, Withrow Tractor Company, for 40 years. As an avid snowmobiler, Horace owned and operated a Yamaha dealership and repair shop for many years. He enjoyed goose hunting, especially with Doss Daniel, now deceased. Horace also enjoyed fishing, square dancing and bowling with his, quote, "sweet wife, Mary." He was a member of the Grange, the National Rifle Association of America, Washington Association of Wheat Growers, and the Douglas County Posse.

To save Withrow in 1947, Horace purchased, rebuilt and operated the Withrow Water Works, which he sold to the Douglas County PUD for $1 in 1991. He was a major, silent contributor to the Waterville Ambulance Fund. Horace had promised Mary's father, Robert Heisig, that he would join the Catholic Church, which he did after moving to Wenatchee. He will be remembered for his honesty, integrity, perseverance and strength, an innate sense of right and wrong, charity, good will, an outrageous sense of humor that was enjoyed by all who knew and loved him, and that wonderful twinkle in his eye.

Horace was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Mildred Elliott; sister, Nina Love; and brother, Eyler Elliott. He is survived by his wife, Mary; two sons, Adelbert and David; daughter, Barbara Ruff; six grandchildren, Michael Charles Love Elliott, Katherine Maria Elliott, Lewis Dean Elliott, Catherine D'Ann Burwell, Douglas Edward Damm and Timothy Lee Damm; nine great-grandchildren; and many nephews and nieces.

Viewing will be at Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Home from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 25, 2008. A Mass of the Christian Burial will be Celebrated at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Wenatchee, 625 S. Elliott, on Wednesday, March 26, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. A luncheon will follow. Horace will be buried at the Wenatchee Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to Central Washington Hospital Hospice, Waterville Ambulance Fund, or a memorial of your choice.