Norene Elva Harnasch passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at Rosetta Assisted Living, Kennewick, Washington. She was born in Wilbur, Washington on September 19, 1923, the second of four children, to James and Kate Sherwood. She spent her childhood years in Wilbur and Oroville.

Norene graduated from Oroville High School in 1941. After high school she worked in the tomato cannery and apple warehouse in Oroville and in retail upon moving to Wilbur. She married Verle Harnasch in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on July 4, 1942.

Permanently moving to Oroville after marriage, Norene worked sorting and packing apples, becoming the bookkeeper at Haskell’s Heavypack, and eventually going into partnership with Margaret Banker in the Style Center dress shop. During retirement years, Norene and Verle enjoyed 19 years of wintering in Arizona and taking various road trips. After moving to independent living in Kennewick in 2013, she still considered Oroville as home.

Even while working, Norene was always devoted to providing for her home and family. She kept busy with cooking, baking, and canning and freezing the produce Verle grew, and was continuously busy with her biggest passion of sewing. She was a beautiful seamstress, putting her talent to work as leader of her daughters’ and friends’ 4-H group for many years. Through the years, she was also active as a member of the Royal Neighbors of America, on a bowling team, and enjoyed playing bridge as a member or substitute in several clubs.

Norene is survived by her two daughters, Marsha (Mark) Kuntz, Kennewick, and Nancy Harnasch, Redmond, Washington, three grandsons, one granddaughter, their spouses, six great grandchildren, one step-great grandchild, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Verle, her husband of nearly 73 years, her parents, her two brothers and one sister, and a nephew.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 22, at the United Methodist Church in Oroville, with lunch following in the fellowship hall. Please join in remembering the love and care Norene gave to her family and friends. See update here. Donations in her memory can be made to City of Oroville Ambulance, PO Box 2200, Oroville, WA 98844.

Norene Elva Harnasch passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at Rosetta Assisted Living, Kennewick, Washington. She was born in Wilbur, Washington on September 19, 1923, the second of four children, to James and Kate Sherwood. She spent her childhood years in Wilbur and Oroville. Norene graduated from Oroville High School in 1941. After high school she worked in the tomato cannery and apple warehouse in Oroville and in retail upon moving to Wilbur. She married Verle Harnasch in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on July 4, 1942. Permanently moving to Oroville after marriage, Norene worked sorting and packing apples, becoming the bookkeeper at Haskell’s Heavypack, and eventually going into partnership with Margaret Banker in the Style Center dress shop. During retirement years, Norene and Verle enjoyed 19 years of wintering in Arizona and taking various road trips. After moving to independent living in Kennewick in 2013, she still considered Oroville as home. Even while working, Norene was always devoted to providing for her home and family. She kept busy with cooking, baking, and canning and freezing the produce Verle grew, and was continuously busy with her biggest passion of sewing. She was a beautiful seamstress, putting her talent to work as leader of her daughters’ and friends’ 4-H group for many years. Through the years, she was also active as a member of the Royal Neighbors of America, on a bowling team, and enjoyed playing bridge as a member or substitute in several clubs. Norene is survived by her two daughters, Marsha (Mark) Kuntz, Kennewick, and Nancy Harnasch, Redmond, Washington, three grandsons, one granddaughter, their spouses, six great grandchildren, one step-great grandchild, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Verle, her husband of nearly 73 years, her parents, her two brothers and one sister, and a nephew. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 22nd, at the United Methodist Church in Oroville, with lunch following in the fellowship hall. Please join in remembering the love and care Norene gave to her family and friends. Donations in her memory can be made to City of Oroville Ambulance, PO Box 2200, Oroville, WA 98844.

Norene Elva Harnasch passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2015 at Rosetta Assisted Living, Kennewick, Washington. She was born in Wilbur, Washington on September 19, 1923, the second of four children, to James and Kate Sherwood. She spent her childhood years in Wilbur and Oroville.

Norene graduated from Oroville High School in 1941. After high school she worked in the tomato cannery and apple warehouse in Oroville and in retail upon moving to Wilbur. She married Verle Harnasch in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on July 4, 1942.

Permanently moving to Oroville after marriage, Norene worked sorting and packing apples, becoming the bookkeeper at Haskell’s Heavypack, and eventually going into partnership with Margaret Banker in the Style Center dress shop. During retirement years, Norene and Verle enjoyed 19 years of wintering in Arizona and taking various road trips. After moving to independent living in Kennewick in 2013, she still considered Oroville as home.

Even while working, Norene was always devoted to providing for her home and family. She kept busy with cooking, baking, and canning and freezing the produce Verle grew, and was continuously busy with her biggest passion of sewing. She was a beautiful seamstress, putting her talent to work as leader of her daughters’ and friends’ 4-H group for many years. Through the years, she was also active as a member of the Royal Neighbors of America, on a bowling team, and enjoyed playing bridge as a member or substitute in several clubs.

Norene is survived by her two daughters, Marsha (Mark) Kuntz, Kennewick, and Nancy Harnasch, Redmond, Washington, three grandsons, one granddaughter, their spouses, six great grandchildren, one step-great grandchild, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by Verle, her husband of nearly 73 years, her parents, her two brothers and one sister, and a nephew.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, August 22nd, at the United Methodist Church in Oroville, with lunch following in the fellowship hall. Please join in remembering the love and care Norene gave to her family and friends. Donations in her memory can be made to City of Oroville Ambulance, PO Box 2200, Oroville, WA 98844.