Liz graduated from Highland High School, where she met, and later married, John “Jack” Wimer. The couple raised three children, beginning in Grandview, then moving to West Valley to become orchardists on the family ranch for the next 20 years.
Liz was a hard worker in all she did, serving in multiple roles over her lifetime. On the ranch, she was a wonderful cook, with mainstays of homemade applesauce, canned peaches and corn relish, and apple cider pressed by the old-fashioned cider press. Fruit picker and smudge pot lighter were also on her list of duties.
Stray pets often arrived on the family doorstep to have their litter of puppies or kittens, and so revealed a love of pets that lasted her lifetime. Pierre and Pretty Boy, the parakeets, would sit on her shoulder, fly thru the house, and bathe at the kitchen sink. Maysie, the baby lamb born on the ranch, claimed a seat on a family chair inside the house.
Her kids remember her always being there when they came home from school, a special trip with her to the World’s Fair (on the longest train ride in history) and eating at the Space Needle, trips to Disneyland at Christmas time, and her supportive presence at every sporting or other school event.
After the sale of the family ranch, Liz became a hostess at the Chalet Inn Restaurant for the next 14 years. She truly was the “hostess with the mostest” as restaurant regulars and first-time guests alike loved being greeted by Liz with her grace and listening ear. “She was one classy lady,” a co-worker described.
A lover of music, Liz joined Yakima’s Sweet Adelines Chorus in the late 70’s, where she enjoyed singing barbershop music and harmonies, and synchronized dance moves with friends, Joyce Frank, Ruby Worrell, and other music minded women.
On July 5, 1986, Liz married Ted Haubrich. They enjoyed making their home in Yakima, spending time with kids and grandkids, dancing at the Elks, and traveling to Italy and the Panama Canal. After Ted’s passing, Liz returned to her hostess roots at the Airport Restaurant.
Liz is loved and survived by her children, Karen (Gary) Jackson of Selah, Steven (Mary) Wimer of Yakima, and Katherine Wimer of Edmonds, WA, six grandchildren, Shelly Jackson, Shannon Beaman, Shannon Smith, Jeremy Jackson, Sam Wimer, and Heidi Nilles, 8 great grandchildren, and 7 ½ great-great grandchildren, sister June (Ron) Selby, a niece, two nephews, and her beloved dog and faithful companion, Bo.
Husband Ted Haubrich, father, mother, brother Stanley Johnson, sister-in-law Cora Johnson, nephews Mike Johnson and Stan Johnson Jr., sister Diana Metzger, aunt Elsie Johnson, and companion Bob Herber, preceded her in death.
A service is planned for Friday, July 8th at 11:00 am at Keith and Keith Funeral Home in Yakima. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to https://olddoghaven.org/. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com for the family.
