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Funeral homes often submit obituaries as a service to the families they are assisting. However, we will be happy to accept obituaries from family members pending proper verification of the death.
Marjorie Ellen Yarnell, 82, a resident of The Dalles, died after a lengthy battle with cancer at The Springs at Mill Creek in The Dalles on Friday, July 8, 2016.
She was born in Dixon, Mo., on April 18, 1934, and was the daughter of Archie and Aretta Fritchey. The family moved to the White Salmon area in 1935 where she received her education. She was united in marriage to George “Pete” Yarnell on Dec. 23, 1950, and they were married for 18 years, bringing up four children together.
She lived in the Snowden area out of White Salmon for many years as the wife of a rancher, raising the kids and taking care of the home front.
Later she drove school bus for a few years and subsequently relocated to the Husum area after their divorce. She then moved to Trout Lake, and eventually settled in Rufus, Ore., after her retirement, among the apricot trees, visiting deer, and Dolph’s Rock Shop nearby.
She began her very successful 36-year U.S. Forest Service, Mt. Adams Ranger District / Gifford Pinchot National Forest career in 1967, planting trees with one of the first women’s tree planting crews. Throughout her career, she laid out timber sales, patrolled in fire control, marked and cruised timber, performed appraisals and archeology work, worked as an E.E.O Counselor, and worked in fire camps, along with many other duties.
She retired in 2003 as the information receptionist, and taking with her, many lifelong friendships. She loved everything about her work, and was a wealth of knowledge during her years with the Forest Service, as well as being known for her gift of baking wonderful desserts.
As an avid rock hound, she traveled to rock shows in the local Northwest, always searching for the perfect specimens for her ever growing collections. She was also an enthusiastic and knowledgeable spelunker and a member of the National Speleological Society.
In addition, she was a blood donor, donating 72 units over many years until she could no longer donate due to health issues. Marjorie was very social, loved by many, and never met a stranger.
She is survived by her children, Audrey Crader (Dallesport), Doug Yarnell and his wife Sundee (Trout Lake), Sue Mortensen and her husband Alex (Dallesport), and Pam Yarnell (Dallesport); grandchildren, Angela Duhrkop Frazer and her husband John (The Dalles), Kellie Yarnell (Gresham, Ore.), Katie Yarnell (Washougal), Krissy Yarnell (Ellensburg) and JD Yarnell (Trout Lake); great-grandchildren, Quentin Duhrkop-Mortensen and JaKobe Mewborn; and brothers, Jim Fritchey and his wife Mary Ann (White Salmon), Jack Fritchey and his wife Jackie (Oakview, Calif.), and numerous nieces and nephews. And last, but not least, her beloved and loyal cat, Pretty Boy.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Tom Fritchey (Vanderhoof, B.C.) and granddaughter, Jennifer Duhrkop.
Private cremation was held with Gardner Funeral Home in care of arrangements. No memorial service will be held per her request. Cards may be sent to the family in care of PO Box 291, Dallesport, Wash. 98617.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Heart of Hospice, 508 Washington Street, The Dalles, Ore.
To plant a tree in memory of Marjorie Yarnell as a living tribute, please visit Tribute Store.
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PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
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