Gemella B. Clausing

Gemella Beverly Clausing passed away Sunday, April 25, 2010, at the Apple Creek Adult Family Home in Yakima, after only a few weeks away from her beloved family farm in West Valley. Gemella was born on the farm December 22, 1918 to Asa and Beatrice (Cole) Scott and she lived in the Yakima Valley her entire life.

Gemella married the love of her life, Leland M. Clausing on March 6, 1938 and they were inseparable for over 69 years, until his death in 2007. During that time, the couple had 3 children, Douglas Clausing (Barbara), Janet Clark and Ted Clausing (Deborah). Gemella is also survived by 7 grandchildren (Chris Clausing, Johnny Clark, Suzanne Snyder, Russell Clausing, Laura Wortman, Zac Clausing and Natalie Clausing) and 5 great-grandchildren (Krista Clausing, Shelby Woods, Logan Clark, Peyton Clark, Alexandria Wortman).

Gemella often listed her occupation as housewife, but that was an understatement. She and Leland always worked as a team and in addition to building their home and family and their farming ventures with alfalfa, grain, sheep, cattle, Shetland ponies, and POA ponies, they also owned and operated Walker Parts and Service, Lee Clausing Service, the Ahtanum Drive In, the Airplane Cabins, several rental houses and the Clausing Pony Farm. One of her favorite sayings was “we didn’t make much money, but we always had lots of fun”. She was also the primary care giver for Dad after he had a series of strokes during their last 15 years together.

Gemella gave her love and time to her children and grandchildren and we could not have asked for a more wonderful mother, grandmother and mother-in-law. She was always ready for any adventure, whether it was as simple as a walk down to the creek and nut grove with the grandchildren, camping, or planning her many trips. Leland and Gemella loved visiting relatives in Wisconsin and California, and had many adventures on their trips to Baltimore, Alaska, and her beloved Pacific beaches. Her blessing in our lives will endure through the love she showed and lessons she taught us all.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday April 30th at Keith and Keith Ninth Avenue Chapel. The Funeral will be at noon Saturday May 1, 2010 at the Wiley Union Church, with burial at West Hills Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the American Cancer Society in care of Keith and Keith Funeral Home, 902 West Yakima Avenue. To share a memory of Gemella visit, www.keithandkeith.com.

The family would like to thank the staff at Apple Creek Adult Family Home and the Memorial Hospital Hospice for their loving and thoughtful care over the past few weeks.