The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., December 5, 1996, page 16
ATHA TWIDWELL
Pioneer spirit lived with Atha May Cornutt Twidwell
throughout her 92 years of life. She died Nov. 30, 1996 in Hood River.
Mrs. Twidwell was born Oct 29, 1904 in Riddle, Ore.,
to Minnie May (Gilpatrick) and Walter Scott Cornutt. She was preceded in
death by two brothers, Emory and Dale. Her childhood was spent in Canyonville,
Ore., where she attended school and played the piano for church services
from before her feet could reach the pedals until she left to attend the
University of Oregon. While in high school, she operated a horsedrawn wagon
freight line-school bus service for the Southern Oregon area, hauling freight
for road crews building the first major road linking southern Oregon and
northern California.
After graduating from business college, she worked for
the U.S. Bank of Oregon, where she was honored as Business Woman of the Year
in Oregon.
She met Carl Leroy Twidwell while in Portland. They were
married Feb. 28, 1931, in Stevenson and moved to White Salmon, where she
was employed by Northwestern Electric at the Condit power plant. This area
nurtured her pleasure in gardening and sport fishing as she shared her interests
in hunting and horseback riding with Mr. Twidwell. They shared special enjoyment
in berry picking and mushroom hunting. Their retirement years allowed time
for travel.
Both worked within the community by helping found the
Klickitat County Sheriff's Posse and the Mt. Adams Loggers Association, as
well as serving with the American Legion and the Rationing Board during the
Second World War.
Over the years, many friendships were forged through
the exercise classes, bridge clubs and church work in which she
participated.
Atha Twidwell leaves indelible memories for special times
spent dining at her table enjoying her pies.
Mrs. Twidwell is survived by her daughters Atha Marie
Kahler, Bellevue, and Carole Ziegler, Underwood; seven grandchildren and
seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Twidwell will be held Dec.
7, 1996, at 1 p.m. at Gardner Funeral Home in White Salmon, with Rev. Willem
Romeijn officiating. Vault interment will be at White Salmon Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Arrangements were handled by Gardner Funeral Home.
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© Jeffrey L. Elmer