Patricia Lapierre

A Celebration of Life for Patricia (Pat) R. La Pierre will be held Monday, November 2, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Terrace Heights; 2600 Business Ln. Yakima, Washington. Pat was born on January 10, 1938 in Helper, Utah to Vernon (Dutch) & Lydia Fern (Thompson-Mead) Nielsen. She had 3 brothers; Duane, Doug, and Johnny; and 3 sisters; Cherie, Louise, and Rayda. In 1943 her entire family moved to Washington state, eventually settling in Granger. Pat attended the Seventh Day Adventist Academy and graduated from Granger High School in 1955. In 1955 (on her father’s birthday) she eloped and married her brother Doug’s best friend, Richard (Dick) L. La Pierre. The couple would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on November 9th. While raising 6 children, Pat worked in various agricultural and trucking jobs until the early 70’s. In 1970 the family bought a farm and moved to Naches. In 1976 Pat became the first woman cement truck driver for Central Pre-Mix in Yakima, Washington. She continued to work in transportation as a dispatcher for the next 25 years. Even in “Retirement”, she and Dick started Wind Song Trucking, and continued working together until the end. Pat’s family was the most important part of her life. She is survived by her husband and six children. • Richard (Rick) L. La Pierre Jr. – Naches, Washington • David F (Dave & wife Linda) La Pierre – Naches, Washington • Grandson – Ricky (great-grandsons Mason and Jaxson) • Grandson – Davey • Randolph (Randy) D. La Pierre – Yakima, Washington • Daniel (Dan & wife Kim) La Pierre – Powell, Wyoming • Grandson – Brent & wife Larissa (great-grandchildren: Weston, Maci Jo, Wyatt, and Gabi Grace) • Grandson - Jarred Dean • Kimberly L. & husband Tim Pritchard – Naches, Washington • Granddaughter – Chelsey & husband Chris Bell (great-granddaughter Abigail) • Granddaughters – Esther, Sarah, Cornelia, Audrey • Grandsons – Jonah and Samuel • Patreece K. & husband Tom DeNoble – Tillamook, Oregon • Grandchildren - Lexi and Chandler She loved anything that had to do with her family; from motorcycle racing to dance recitals, you could count on Pat being there and being the loudest cheerleader in the crowd. Some of her other interests included watching the Mariners, Seahawks, rodeos, horseraces, Nascar, and she especially loved Lucille Ball and John Wayne movies. She also enjoyed sewing, gardening, and making beautiful quilts. Easter egg hunts, Fourth of July fireworks, trick or treating, Black Friday shopping, and of course Christmas were all the best when Grandma Pat was there. She loved driving, and her favorite place was behind the wheel of anything. She loved drag racing, road racing, driving farm equipment, semis, and dump trucks. Besides the crazy and fun side of Pat, there was also the huge compassionate spirit that wanted to take care of everyone. She was the ultimate caregiver, and would open their home to anyone they could help. Pat started every day reading her Bible and praying. She had such strong faith and shared that with everyone, because the most important thing to her was that people would get to know Jesus. To laugh a lot, to win the respect of intelligent people, To Win the affection of children, To be Loved sincerely and Love in the same way, Do my part to leave the World a better place, and hope that at least one life has breathed easier because I have lived, This would be successful for me, Pat La Pierre To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Patricia Lapierre, please visit our flower store.