Lois Ann Garbe October 19, 1942 – May 13, 2019 Share this obituary Send Flowers View/Sign Guest Book| Send Private Condolences| Send Sympathy Card Lois Ann (Briggs) Garbe, age 76, of Touchet, passed away on May 13, 2019, at her home. Lois was born October 19, 1942, in Junction City, Oregon to Edna and Clarence Briggs. She was a 1960 graduate of Harrisburg High School and earned a Secretarial Science Degree from Eugene Business College in 1962.
In 1961, she met her husband Henry Garbe, Jr. Henry and Lois married on December 15, 1962 in Junction City, Oregon. They were together for 47 years. They lived a year in La Grande, Oregon before moving to Walla Walla in 1963.
Lois went to work for Sherwood and Roberts/Fairway Finance in Walla Walla in 1962. On May 18, 1965 they welcomed a son, Douglas Edward. In February of 1967, they moved to their home in Gardena where Lois lived for 52 years.
On April 23, 1968, daughter Deborah Ann was born. Lois helped Henry run the farm where they raised alfalfa seed, Walla Walla Sweet onions, asparagus, and a registered flock of Suffolk sheep. She was co-owner and bookkeeper for H&L Garbe Farms, Garbe Chemicals, H&L Garbe Suffolk and Granny’s Computers.
In 1973, she started working part time for the Walla Walla Livestock auction with dear friends John and Norma Funk. She worked there for 22 years. She was an advocate of education and personal growth for herself and her children.
She jumped head first into the computer age by taking classes and teaching herself the use of the computer. Lois was an active member of the Touchet Community. She shared her time and expertise with hundreds of 4-H kids and leaders.
Her love of 4-H began as a young child growing up in the Willamette Valley. This love continued with her own children, grandchildren and hundreds of area youth she supported and encouraged with their own projects. She was a Touchet/Gardena 4-H club leader and then became a Leader at Large for many more years.
Lois was a member of the WSU/Walla Walla County Extension Advisory Board and the Blue Mountain Sheep Producers. She was the manager of the Wool Pool and the Leader’s Council Secretary. She was the Sheep Barn Superintendent and volunteered in the Exhibitor’s Office and clerked for the Fat Stock Sale at the Walla Walla Fair.
In 1994 she received the Walla Walla County 4-H Leader of the Year Award. Her depth of contribution was immense. She was never afraid to take on a challenge if she felt it was the right thing to do.
In honor of all her volunteer work, Lois received the Walla Walla Fair’s Volunteer of the Year Award. Lois was a member of the Touchet/Gardena Homemakers for over 50 years and received the Walla Walla County Homemaker of the Year award in 1994. She enjoyed driving the 4-H Hall of Fame Recipients in the Walla Walla Fair parade in her convertible Mustang.
In 2011 Lois was inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame. She loved to camp and fish, and early on, she loved riding her motorcycle and bowling. She was a member of the Walla Walla Women’s Bowling Association and served many years on the WWBA’s Board of Directors.
After Henry’s death in 2009, she continued to raise a small patch of asparagus and Walla Walla Sweet onion seed. She found joy in watching her small crops grow and especially in sharing with her friends and neighbors. Lois loved her children and grandsons and she went to almost every one of their sporting or school events.
She ran the time clock at the girls’ basketball games and often did the lines for the girls’ volleyball games. She enjoyed Friday night dinners at the Seed House and playing cards with her friends. Lois loved helping others.
Lois was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She supported her family in all of their endeavors and causes. She will be greatly missed.
Lois is survived by son, Douglas Garbe; daughter, Deborah (Jorge) Ortiz; three grandchildren, Nathaniel (Ali) Ortiz, Jared Ortiz and Benjamin Ortiz; 4 nieces and nephews, Sisters in Law, Kathleen Garbe and Diane Briggs. She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Henry Garbe, Jr.; brother, Gordon Briggs; and nephew, Otto Garbe. There will be a Viewing and Visitation on Friday, May 24, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be held at the Walla Walla County Fair Grounds Rotunda on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 10:00 AM with David Knowles officiating. Memorial Contributions may be made to: Touchet Booster Club, Touchet Educational Foundation, or Walla Walla County 4-H Endowment Fund (Blue Mountain Community Foundation) through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
