Myrtle Louise Young

DOB 1-9-1923 DOD 1-15-2013

Myrtle was born in Piopot, SK, Canada to Mable and Charles Rowett. She was raised in Chehalis, Washington from 2 years old until 1940 when she graduated from Chehalis High School. She attended Beutel Business College in 1940-1941. Myrtle’s first job was a switchboard operator and file clerk for Younglove Grocery in Tacoma, WA.

Myrtle was married and widowed three times. In 1941 she married Clifford Ringenbach and had three daughters Sharon, Linda and Mary. She was widowed in 1951 at the age of 28 and became a single parent.

Myrtle moved her young family to Yakima in 1951 and entered the business world. She worked for Shelton Realty from October 1951 to October 1952 when she changed jobs going back to the grocery world and was hired by Safeway. She remained with Safeway for 29 years in various positions. Myrtle started out as a general office clerk and advanced to Administrative Secretary and unofficial office manager in the Yakima District office, reporting to six district managers during those years. In 1981 she retired from Safeway.

Myrtle was married to her second husband, Delton Coontz for 20 years and had a son, Brian Coontz. She then became a widow again in 1976. In 1981 she married Jake Young and moved to Rawlins, Wyoming. They enjoyed 11 years as a retired couple traveling to many places in their motor home from Alaska to Mexico. Then in 1992 she returned to Yakima after Jake's passing.

During her younger years, Myrtle was very active in the “Association for Retired Citizens” (ARC) for 20 years. She served in all positions on the Board of Directors and was the president twice. She was also a board member of “Special Projects” for the handicapped for eleven years. She also served 2 years on the advisory board of the local Goodwill. Myrtle was an active member of the Oracle Toast Mistress Club for 17 years and charter member of Agnes Desserault Parlimentary Unit.

Myrtle was named Business Woman of the Year in 1980 at the American Business Women’s Association Yakima chapter where she had been a member for many years. She also worshiped and was a member at Selah United Methodist Church for over 40 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents and 4 brothers, Harry, Art, Gene and Leonard Rowett.

She is survived by her son, Brian Coontz,; daughters, Sharon (Clinton) Pinyerd, Linda Ringenbach and Mary Tate; grandchildren, Ron Pinyerd, Renee Thomas, Cherie Ergeson and Zach Tate; great-grandchildren, Kenneth & Matthew Pinyerd, Wyatt & Kali Rae Thomas, Kody, Kylie & Chase Ergeson and Gracie and Mackenzie Tate; great-great granddaughter Angelina Pinyerd.

Myrtle’s family would like to express their gratitude to the staff at Cottage In The Meadow .

A Memorial Service will be Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 1:00 p.m. at Keith and Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Retarded Citizens (ARC), Alzheimer’s Research or a charity of your choice. To share a memory of Myrtle, please visit www.keithandkeith.com.