After waiting for over a year, Earl H. Tanneberg joined our mother once again on April 22, 2007. He was born June 13, 1916 in Mansfield, WA to Murrell and Harvey Tanneberg. He grew up in Chewelah, WA where he went to school. There he met the love of his life, Ellen Grace Evans.   

Earl served in the United States Navy (VP-63 Mad Cat PBY) during WWII, and was honorably discharged in 1945.   

Earl and Ellen were married December 9, 1944 in Spokane, WA and soon after made their home in Toppenish where they raised their family and lived for over 60 years. During the early Toppenish years, Earl owned and operated the Crossroads Chevron service station with Red Adams. He also worked for a period of time at Intervalley Hardware. Earl retired after many years of service as a postal carrier with the United States Post Office. He was honored to receive recognition for having the longest walking route in Toppenish. Over the years, Earl also enjoyed working with friends in many areas of valley agriculture, and was a willing helper with swimming pool maintenance.   

His favorite hobby was his family. He loved family campouts, barbecuing for the entire family, fishing, visiting the ocean, camping with fellow Masons and their families, and his overall involvement with Masonry. He was an avid Seahawks fan, and enjoyed watching Mariners baseball. He grew a large vegetable and fruit garden and always remembered to bless the harvest that produced it.  

Earl was a member of the Toppenish United Methodist Church; a Past Master of Toppenish-Meridian Lodge; a Past Patron of Illihee Chapter, Toppenish, and Seople Chapter, Granger, Order of the Easter Star and was a Rainbow Dad for many years. He was a member of the Scottish Rite in Yakima and was also a Past Monarch of Chelminar Grotto, Yakima. He worked with the Boy Scouts of America, and started the first girl's baseball in Toppenish. Earl was a Past Master of Travel with the Masonic National Camping Traveler (NCT) groups - the MM Travelers and the Nomads. He was also a member of the American Legion for over 50 years.  

Earl was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Ellen G. Tanneberg. He is survived by one son, Ron Tanneberg and his wife Cheryl of Renton, WA; four daughters and their spouses Sherilyn and Doug Hausske of Yakima, Kristen and David Blackman of Seattle, Dawn and Steven Peterson of Burien, and Robyn and John Fox of San Antonio, TX. He was the loving grandfather of 10 grandchildren: Shannon, Shawn, John, Jarod, Elizabeth, Lacy, Rory, Melissa, Hilary and Dylan; and four great-grandchildren, Fallon, Petra, Kobe and only days old, Sienna Grace.  

Visitation will be Friday, April 27th from noon to 7 PM at Valley Hills Funeral Home, Zillah. Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 28, 2005 at 11 AM at the United Methodist Church in Toppenish, located at 201 S. Beech St. Memorial remembrances may be made to the Toppenish-Meridian Lodge or Children's Hospital in Seattle in honor of his great granddaughter, Fallon Munzanreder.

A special thank you to the caring staff at the Lola Kay Group Home in Yakima and Garden Village Rehabilitation Center in Yakima, and to Earl's many friends who cared for him, loved him and helped him through this final journey.