OBIT:
Clareta Olmstead Smith, 91, Ellensburg pioneer, died Saturday at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. She was born December 12, 1889 in Ellensburg. Her grandfather, Samuel Olmstead, was a very early settler here, arriving in 1873. Her mother died when she was a child, so Clareta and her sister, Leta May, were raised by their grandparents, the Olmsteads.
The two girls inherited the Olmstead land following the death of two childless uncles. About half of the land was given by the Smith sisters to the state and now is known as the Olmstead Place State Park, located about four miles east of Ellensburg. An original log cabin, built in 1875, and several other historic buildings may be viewed on the property.
The sisters were teachers in Ellensburg schools. Clareta taught at Washington School. They retired from teaching and took over operation of a farm in the county upon the death of an uncle.
Clareta Olmstead Smith in 1946 published a book entitled, "The Trail Leads West," a collection of her memories about early Kittitas Valley life. The edition was illustrated by her sister. In 1976, she also published "Campfires in the Valley," a history of the Olmstead Place, the Kittitas Valley and personalities of the Yakima Valley. Her latest effort was publication of Leta May Olmstead Smith's manuscripts in 1976, after her sister died in 1974. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include one cousin, Harlan D. Smith of Tumwater. Funeral services will be Tuesday, 2 p.m. at Evenson Chapel. The Rev. Don Meekof will officiate and cremation will be at Terrace Heights memorial Park in Yakima. Interment will be in the family plot at the IOOF Cemetery.
Ellensburg Daily Record, June 29, 1981
OBIT:
Clareta Olmstead Smith, 91, Ellensburg pioneer, died Saturday at Kittitas Valley Community Hospital. She was born December 12, 1889 in Ellensburg. Her grandfather, Samuel Olmstead, was a very early settler here, arriving in 1873. Her mother died when she was a child, so Clareta and her sister, Leta May, were raised by their grandparents, the Olmsteads.
The two girls inherited the Olmstead land following the death of two childless uncles. About half of the land was given by the Smith sisters to the state and now is known as the Olmstead Place State Park, located about four miles east of Ellensburg. An original log cabin, built in 1875, and several other historic buildings may be viewed on the property.
The sisters were teachers in Ellensburg schools. Clareta taught at Washington School. They retired from teaching and took over operation of a farm in the county upon the death of an uncle.
Clareta Olmstead Smith in 1946 published a book entitled, "The Trail Leads West," a collection of her memories about early Kittitas Valley life. The edition was illustrated by her sister. In 1976, she also published "Campfires in the Valley," a history of the Olmstead Place, the Kittitas Valley and personalities of the Yakima Valley. Her latest effort was publication of Leta May Olmstead Smith's manuscripts in 1976, after her sister died in 1974. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include one cousin, Harlan D. Smith of Tumwater. Funeral services will be Tuesday, 2 p.m. at Evenson Chapel. The Rev. Don Meekof will officiate and cremation will be at Terrace Heights memorial Park in Yakima. Interment will be in the family plot at the IOOF Cemetery.
Ellensburg Daily Record, June 29, 1981
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
