ELVIRA VERA VON OLNHAUSEN JANUARY 25, 1925 TO JULY 13, 2013

Vera Von Olnhausen lost an 18-year battle with cancer on Saturday, July 13. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Von Olnhausen and son Dick Von Olnhausen. Vera is survived by her brother-in-law, Elmo Von Olnhausen and wife, Rilda, of Shawmut, MT; she is also survived by her son Wayne Bobbi Finley and daughters Barbara von Olnhausen West Richland, Esther Christian Leavenworth, WA, Diana Ruppert Renton, WA and Carol Welch Portland, OR, as well as 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandson. She is also mourned by many much-loved nieces and nephews, including Sarah Hightower-Hill Tucson, AZ, Jim Hill Mesa, AZ, Sandra Beck Ephrata, WA, and Terry Brown Prosser, WA, Nancy Easton Cody, WY and Jim Von Olnhausen Billings, MT.

Originally from Calcite and Howard, CO, Vera is survived by several brothers and sisters. Emma Hill formerly of Richland, WA, now residing in Tucson, AZ, Della Talbert Allen Howard, CO, Ann Pinkston Canyon City, CO, Frank Trujillo Iileen Hillside, CO, John Trujillo Donna Port Orchard, WA, and Scott Trujillo OK. Her parents, Daniel and Magdelena Trujillo, preceded her in death.

Vera moved from Howard, CO, to Seattle, WA and finally to the Tri-Cities in 1943. She has made her home in the same West Richland house since 1950. After her children were reasonably grown, Vera went back to school, obtaining her GED as well as taking several high school classes in Shorthand, Typing and Business. Following completion of her coursework, she worked several years at ITT in the Accounting Department.

Leading an extremely active life, Vera was an accomplished oil painter, ceramics and porcelain craftsman, a seamstress who also enjoyed knitting, crocheting and embroidery, as well as an avid fisherman son Wayne was known to refuse to go fishing if Mom was going…because she always caught the first, last and biggest fish!. She was very proud of holding the record for most years served as church officer at Bethany United Protestant Church in West Richland, having served 41 years as Financial Secretary. For many years, Vera was a member of Bethany's church choir, as well as a Sunday School teacher, with many fond memories of interactions with members of her church family, and was saddened when the church closed in 2007. When asked for his favorite dinner menu, son Dick cited the Church Potluck, particularly enjoying the freshly baked bread and rolls his mother took to the potluck dinners.

She was active in the West Richland Senior Center's Association, regularly playing pinochle and Bunco. Over the years she participated in several bowling leagues at the Atomic Lanes in Richland, lastly spending several years on the Senior Bowling League. Vera served as an Election Board Supervisor for many years, was active in the Moose Organization for 45 years and was a life member of the VFW. Her community and volunteer activities always provided a sense of pride. Many will have memories of her driving around town until last year in her little, red, convertible Miata, a genuine source of pride to her.

The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her name to Hospice at the Chaplaincy, 1480 Fowler St, Richland, WA 99352. Words alone cannot express the invaluable services that the Hospice provided Vera and her family during her final six months of life. Special gratitude and affection goes to Katrina Merkulov, Colleen Kandle, and Chaplain Craig Timmons.

From living so many years in one community, Vera leaves behind many trusted and loved friends and neighbors who made her life much more enjoyable. Her final resting place will be Sunset Memorial Gardens in Richland, WA beside her husband, Harold, following a Memorial Service at Einan's Funeral Home on Friday, July 19 at 4:30pm.