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The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., April 23, 1970, page 1

TWO GOLDENDALE-AREA MEN DIE DURING WEEK

Two men prominent in life in this area died in the last seven days-the Rev. M.B. Ketcham of Goldendale and Alex Randall of Centerville. Each had been in failing health, hospitalized during recent weeks. Funerals were held Saturday and Wednesday.
Rev. Ketcham, 62, had been Minister of the first Baptist Church in Goldendale for the past 11 years. During that time he achieved a wide acquaintanceship in the community. As a member of the Goldendale Library Board he showed a keen interest in welfare of the city. As a friend of the courts he served his fellow man, and in numerous ways he showed active interest in civic affairs. Since suffering a paralytic stroke December 3 he had been incapacitated to some degree until his death April 16.
Alex Randall, born in Finland in 1884, came to this country at the age of 19. After working in Michigan and Minnesota he came to the west coast in 1906 and worked several years on construction projects at Portland. In 1912 he came to Klickitat county to work in the wheat harvest and the following year married and settled down on the farm which was his lifetime home thereafter.
That farm home nestled high above the brakes overlooking as Swale Creek canyon, west of Centerville in the area called Happy Home. From that location Alex faithfully wrote of the comings and goings of his family, their neighbors and friends for well over 30 years, for The Goldendale Sentinel and its contemporary, the Klickitat County News.
Afflicted during the last several months, Alex had been hospitalized on several occasions. His death came April 19.
Obituaries are printed elsewhere in and this issue.

The Goldendale Sentinel, Goldendale, WA., April 23, 1970, page 2

ALEX RANDALL

Alexander Randall, of Centerville, passed away at 12:45 a.m. April 19, 1970 at the Klickitat Valley Hospital after a short illness. He was born on September 11, 1884 near Wilmastrand in southern Finland to Abraham and Johanna Ruitta. He was raised and confirmed a Lutheran.
In the spring of 1903 he emigrated to America. During the next few years he worked in the mines and Woods in Michigan and Minnesota. He came west in 1906 and worked in Portland on construction. He came to Klickitat county in 1912 and worked in the wheat harvest. Here he met Adeline Munroe and on March 28, 1913 there were married at the Methodist Church in Goldendale. They have made their home on their farm in the Happy Home area for 57 years, celebrating their golden anniversary in 1963.
Survivors are his wife, Adeline, at home; his son Alvin, of Centerville; his daughter, Doris Kruse, of Vancouver; one sister, Elina Pantilla of Brooklyn, NY; six grandchildren and six great grandchildren, as well as two nieces and two nephews.
Alex, as he was known to his friends, lived a full and active life until a few months ago. He enjoyed his home, his family and his friends. He especially enjoyed the outdoors. He was the Happy Home news correspondent for many years and had a keen interest in the community. He was a member of Centerville Grange. Never was there a person more proud of his American citizenship.
Interment was in the family plot at the Centerville Cemetery, April 2. Active pallbearers were Bill Eddins, Arnold Hoikka, Larry Kayser, Ronald Niva, Pete Smith and Merle Wiidanen. Honorary pallbearers were Hilmer Erickson, Audomar Hedler, Ez Kaiser, Otis Mattson, Pete May and Rainer Rein.