Alene Hubbard

Alene (Erickson) Hubbard, age 91, passed away Tuesday, November 25, in Ellensburg after complications from hip surgery. She was born in Riverside, Washington on April 24, 1923, to Alvin and Gertrude (Rutledge) Erickson. As a young child, her family moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, where she had memories of farm life and the Rogue River. When she was an early teen, her family moved to the Kittitas Valley where she met her life-long friend Juanita Morrison. She graduated from Ellensburg High School in 1941.

Alene and Clifford Hubbard were married in Coeur d’ Alene, Idaho, January 2, 1943. They spent most of their married life in Kittitas and their happy union produced four children, Eric, Joe, Kathy and Dave. They were married nearly sixty years when Clifford passed away in July 2002.

Alene worked many jobs over the years starting as a checker at Safeway while Cliff was away at war for three years. She also worked as a checker at Gilmour’s Grocery Store in Kittitas, as a sorter on a potato harvester, various jobs at Twin City Foods, and finally retired as a post office clerk in Kittitas at the age of 72.

Alene and Cliff always planted a huge garden every summer to feed their growing family. She spent summers canning and freezing fruits and vegetables, and was a great cook. Her gift of hospitality always made room at the table for an extra friend or two.

Alene was an active member in the Kittitas Community Church teaching Sunday school for many years among other activities. Alene’s greatest love was her family and was shown by her being there when needed to help however she could. Holidays with family were always her favorite time. Her second love was her flower and rose garden. She always had a bouquet sitting on the dining room table during the spring and summer. Many were blessed by her abundant flowers. She had a wonderful gift for flower arranging. As a child she would bring wild flowers inside to enjoy.

Alene is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Clifford, brother, Merle (Virginia) Erickson; sisters, Gladys (Harold) Jenkins & Lois (John) Breckon; grandson, Michael Hubbard and son-in-law, Major Michael Inman. She is survived by her children, Eric (Sheri) Hubbard, Joe (Mary) Hubbard and Kathy (Ralph) Strand, all of Ellensburg, and Dave (Jeri) Hubbard of Sedro Woolley. She is also survived by her sister, Marjorie (Paul) Harrel of Ellensburg; brother, Don (Dorothy) Erickson of Bothell; sister-in-law, Doris (Larry) Gallafant of Sequim; her grandchildren, Kerrie, Mark & CJ (Jazmine) Hubbard, Heather (Joe) Lombardi, Suzanne (Brendan) Clark, Katie (Adrian) Christofferson, Julie (Joe) Huerta, & Kellie Jo Metcalf, and by great grandchildren, Cary, Skyler & Aleena, Ben & Sam, Jack & Austin, Chloe & Hunter, Ashley (Cory) and Kayla, as well as two great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Graveside service will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 6th at the IOOF Cemetery followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. at Kittitas Community Church, Third and Pierce St., Kittitas, Washington. Memorials are suggested to Kittitas Community Church, PO Box 537, Kittitas, WA 98934 or F.I.S.H. food bank, PO Box 85, Ellensburg. WA 98926.

Thank you to all who helped Alene during her time of illnesses including Hearthstone Cottage, Highgate Senior Living, Prestige Care and Rehabilitation, and Kittitas Valley Hospital Doctors and Staff.