Kayser's Chapel of Memories

08/28/2026

Robert Reed “Bob” Christensen, 90, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home on August 12, 2026. Bob was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, farmer, pilot, and lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Bob was born December 23, 1935, in Ellensburg, Washington, the youngest of five children of LeRoy and Lucy Faye Wilson Christensen. During the Great Depression, his family moved to Kittitas, Washington, where Bob grew up and graduated from Kittitas High School. After attending one semester at Brigham Young University, Bob returned home to begin farming. He married his sweetheart, Joanne “Jo” McMahan, on November 12, 1955. Together they shared more than 70 years of marriage.
In 1957, Bob and his brothers moved from Kittitas to the Royal Slope as the Columbia Basin Irrigation Project opened new land for development. The brothers sold the family farm in Kittitas, and the Christensen brothers cleared the land and began farming.
In 1974, Bob began clearing land and farming on the Wahluke Slope while continuing to farm in both the Royal Slope and Wahluke Slope areas. Bob and Jo moved to the Wahluke Slope in 1993.
Farming was Bob’s life’s work and a source of great pride. He was widely respected for his skill, knowledge, and dedication. His family often heard from people they barely knew that Bob was “one of the best farmers in the Columbia Basin.” That reputation was a great source of pride to his family.
Bob also had a...

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08/27/2026

A wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and the biggest Gonzaga Bulldog fan, Magdalena O. Sanchez, 83, of Moses Lake, WA, died unexpectedly at Samaritan Hospital surrounded by her husband and children on Sunday, August 16, 2026.

Magdalena, known to her friends as Madeline, was born in Chihuahua, Mexico in 1942 to Jesus Maria Portillo and Manuel Ortega, the fifth of seven children. The family immigrated to the United States when Magdalena was about 6. Magdalena often spoke of the difficulty of migrant life because she said she was never really able to complete a full grade with her classmates. She loved school and tried to instill the importance of education upon her children. After her mother passed when she was in her early teens, Magdalena had to quit school to help work take care of her younger siblings. One of her proudest moments was when she achieved her GED from Big Bend Community College.

Magdalena met the love of their life, Lazaro “Larry” Sanchez in Toppen*sh, WA. Both Magdalena and Lazaro accused the other of trying to get the attention of the other and the story goes that Larry pretended to be sick so that Madeline could bring him soup. Whatever the case, it worked! They were married just one month shy of 65 years. In a recent note to one of her granddaughters, Madeline said that marriage was like a roller coaster, sometimes up and sometimes down. The highs and lows are like the weather too,...

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08/27/2026

Mario Enrique Villaseñor Ayala, 64, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 6, 2026. He was born on September 2, 1961, to Severiano Villaseñor Skinfield and Socorro Ayala.

Mario was a hardworking man who spent much of his life as a truck driver. The many miles he traveled reflected the dedication he had to providing for and caring for his family. Beneath his hardworking exterior was a man who loved his family deeply and found joy in the simple things in life.

Music was also a special part of Mario’s life, especially classic rock. One song that holds a particularly meaningful place in his family’s memories is “You’re the Inspiration” by Chicago. Hearing it will forever bring back memories of Mario and serve as a reminder of the love, moments, and memories shared with him.

Mario married the love of his life, Raquel Tovar Villaseñor, on June 25, 1983. Together, they built a life centered around their family and raised four beautiful children. With their family, Mario and Raquel made Moses Lake their home in May of 1996.

After sharing nearly 40 years of marriage, Mario experienced the heartbreaking loss of Raquel on January 21, 2023. Their years together created a beautiful family and a legacy that will continue through their children and grandchildren. There is comfort in knowing that Mario is now reunited with the woman he loved and shared so much of his life with.

Mario is survived by his four children, Mario (Sarah), Jazmin, Lily (Mario),...

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08/26/2026

08/26/2026

Joanne Christensen, 90
Obituary for Joanne Lloyd Christensen (née McMahan)
Joanne, known as "Jo" to all, age 90, passed away at her home on August 22, 2026, just ten days after the passing of her loving husband. Joanne was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and longtime member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Joanne was born March 4, 1936, in Great Falls, Montana, the youngest of three children of Mac and Gert McMahan. After beginning school there, during World War II her family moved to Spokane, Washington, where she attended school for one year, and then to Bremerton, Washington, where she completed elementary school, while her father supervised the building of submarine docks in Alaska and in Bremerton.
Joanne later relocated with her family to Ellensburg, Washington, where she attended junior high through high school, while her mother was a registered nurse at the Ellensburg hospital and her father supervised highway construction in the area, including the Vernita bridge and a segment of I-90 from the west side of Snoqualmie Pass to the Vantage bridge. Joanne enjoyed the performing arts, taking the lead role in an Ellensburg city play the summer after her eighth-grade year and being selected as a soloist in the high school choir. She graduated from Ellensburg High School in the class of 1954.
One afternoon in Ellensburg she met her high-school sweetheart, Bob Christensen of Kittitas, Washington, and...

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08/20/2026

Douglas Ken Earl was born October 17, 1947 in Provo, Utah to Owen Ken and LuDeen Roylance Earl. At the age of 5 years old, the family moved to Moses Lake (1953) to the George Roylance Dairy on Potato Hill Road. He had perfect attendance in school for six years. His 7th-9th grade years were at Chief Moses Junior High, where he lettered in track, football and basketball and was the Junior High student body president and Honor Society President.
He attended Moses Lake High School and again lettered in Track and Football. He was in band, orchestra and choir being a student director in band and choir. He was Professor Harold Hill in The Music Man, the first musical ever at the High School and as a senior was Curley in the musical play Oklahoma. He and Robert Braunwart won the regionals and went to state in debate, was chosen to the all-state choir, was again Student Body President, Honor Society and Class Speaker at graduation (1966). After his junior year, he was elected to Boys State and was one of two boys chosen at Boy’s State to represent Washington State at Boy’s Nation in Washington D.C.. He traveled from Seattle to Washington D.C. on a train both ways to attend Boy’s Nation, where he was the federalist party’s candidate for Vice President. Eventually he was voted “most likely” to succeed in his High School class and had a number of full ride scholarships for college.
Doug postponed attending college to serve a 2-year 4 month church mission for...

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08/17/2026

Frederick (Fred) Max Ruge passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, August 12, 2026.

Fred was born August 27, 1958, in New Haven, Connecticut, to Max Friedrich (Fred) and Anita Selma Abrahamsen Ruge. He was the middle child with two older sisters, Sue and Gail, and two younger sisters, Judy and Diane. Fred was raised in Madison, Connecticut, where he learned from an early age the value of hard work. He was a Boy Scout and ran cross country during his school years.

After graduating from Daniel Hand High School, Fred headed west to attend Ricks College. While there he met the love of his life, Jackie Cole. Jackie waited while he faithfully served a two-year mission in the Spain Seville Mission, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon his return, Fred and Jackie were married on August 19, 1982, in the Seattle Washington Temple.

Fred and Jackie welcomed their first daughter, Michelle in 1983. After living in Connecticut for a short time, they moved to Warden, Washington, where Fred began working on the Cole Dairy Farm. He worked there a few years until he began working on the Roylance Dairy Farm where he continued working for 37 years.

As the years went by five more children joined the Ruge Family: Cassie (1985), Stacey (1987), Kelly (1990), Conrad (1994), NiCole (1998). Fred loved his family deeply and worked tirelessly to provide for them. He was known for always having a project underway and for working until...

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08/13/2026

Edna Watkins, 106 years old, passed away peacefully on August 11, 2026.

Edna was born on the family homestead south of Warden on March 3, 1920; followed by a twin sister (Irene) later that day. Her parents were Fred and Lena Radach whose family immigrated from Volga River Valley, Russia to the United States in the early 1900's. Edna's grandparents were one of the founding families of the Warden Community Church.

In the early years of dryland farming in the area, the farmer provided meals and Edna was an excellent cook. This led to being hired to help a Lind farmer's wife with the harvest cooking. The owner's nephew was working there and she and Roy Watkins married on January 18, 1942. Because of the beginning of World War II, they spent their first years of marriage in Seattle working for Boeing. The only time in Edna's life she was away from Eastern Washington. They soon had the opportunity to return to the family farm and begin farming for Edna's dad and later to begin their own farm operation. In those first years back 'home' they lived in a pair of homestead houses that were connected with a passageway. In 1957 they built their dream home and remained there until Roy's passing in 2010.

Edna was an active member in the Warden Community Church as a Sunday school teacher, choir, and Ladies Aid member. She was also a 4-H leader for many years, entered in the Grant County Fair flower exhibits, was an avid golfer and had a fantastic vegetable...

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08/12/2026

Lorraine P. Medrano was born on August 12, 1928, in Portland, Oregon, to Waverly and Helen Hedspeth. She entered the presence of her Savior on August 4, 2026, at home, surrounded by her loving family, just eight days before her 98th birthday.
Her love for animals began at a young age when her family moved from Oregon to Wapato to farm. She attended Wapato High School, graduating in 1946.
On August 26, 1950, she married the love of her life, Ralph B. Medrano, in Toppen*sh. Shortly afterward, they moved to Moses Lake, Washington, where they built their home and family on a foundation of love, hard work, and faith.
Lorraine managed the Wonder Bread Thrift Store in Moses Lake for 30 years and was affectionately known as the "Hostess Wonder Bread Lady."
She loved fishing, camping, hiking, and road trips. Her appreciation for all of God's gifts was evident throughout her life and reflected in her ever-present smile. She loved music and sang in the church choir, and she was often heard singing or whistling throughout her days.
Faith was the cornerstone of Lorraine's life. She was deeply devoted to Our Lady of Fatima Parish and generously gave her time to church functions. She traveled extensively with church staff and priests, creating memories she treasured. She was also an avid Mariners and Seahawks fan.
Above all, Lorraine will be remembered for her generosity, kindness, and unwavering faith. She had a gift for making people feel valued and loved. She...

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08/11/2026

With great sadness, we announce the passing of Mark Warren LaPlant on July 29th 2026 at the age of 67. Despite a difficult 10 years battling cancer, Mark had a profound impact on his community and the people he cherished most.

Growing up in rural Ephrata Washington farming at a very young age, Mark had a great love for the place he lived, and had lifelong friendships anyone would be so lucky to have. He was the kind of person that would give you the shirt off his back, and wouldn’t let a family go hungry if they couldn’t pay for their groceries.

Mark was married for 30 years to, in his own words, the love of his life, Sandra, who was by his side till his last breath. They had 7 wonderful children together, Isabelle, Dylan, Gabrielle, Angel, Sunny, Colleen, and Gerrit. Mark had the great privilege to farm with his wife and even some of his kids. He had a deep passion for photography, and lifelong dreams of pursuing his love for nature and art. Mark was always supportive of his family’s ambitions and they shared a love for the outdoors, animals, and ice cream. He had a great fondness for his cats, who provided him with great comfort during his illness.

Although his life was unfairly cut short, the weight of his pain and suffering has been lifted and left behind. We will remember him for all the goodness he had in the world, and the kindness and laughter he shared with others. His soul has gone home, but he will always be with the people he loved....

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