Eileen Erlewine

Eileen E. (Klentz) Erlewine, 89, of Yakima, Washington, died on Saturday, March 29, 2025. Our mother, Eileen Erlewine was born in Sidney, Nebraska on December 21, 1935. She was the third child of four. Eileen married her sweetheart, Dale Erlewine, on June 27th 1954. They set up housekeeping in Sidney, Nebraska, and proceeded to have 4 children, Deb (Tim) Funkhouser, Neal (Sandy) Erlewine, Dale (Layne) Erlewine and Linda (Bryan) Powell. The family moved to Yakima in 1965 for a better life. Mom spent most of her working years at Highland Fruit for 30+ years. She also spent many corn and pear seasons at Libby’s cannery. Mom enjoyed hosting and cooking for family holiday dinners for many years. She was famous for her delicious homemade rolls. We are working to try to replicate those rolls and haven’t quite mastered them. Mom was thrilled that this past Thanksgiving we had 35 family members for dinner, only missing 4 from out of state. Mom was good-humored and cheerful. She had many friends. She had a group of friends that enjoyed the Warehouse Theatre plays. She also had many friends at the Harmon Center where she played cards at least twice a week. We are very grateful for these friends. It was a blessing for Mom, especially after Dad passed. One group of friends took a “Golden Girls” road trip a few years back. They went to the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. They had a wonderful time and I’m sure that everyone who crossed their path would remember that crazy group of friends. Mom also enjoyed traveling with family to England, Germany, Hawaii, Moab Utah and more. Mom’s hobby was ceramics. She was determined to make ceramic Christmas trees for all of the grandkids. Mom had 8 grandkids, 16 great grandkids, and 2 great- great granddaughters. She is survived by her sister, Evelyn Herboldsheimer of Sidney, Nebraska. She is preceded in death by her husband Dale, her parents, Frank and Vera Klentz, and 2 siblings, Ethel Smith and Calvin Klentz. There will be a graveside service on Thursday, April 3, 2025, noon, at West Hills Cemetery. We will also have a celebration of life at a later date. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Eileen Erlewine, please visit our flower store.