Georganna Ragsdale

Georganna Ragsdale peacefully passed away the evening of Monday March 25th. She is survived by her husband Duane and her two children Curtis (with his wife Donna) and Kenneth. She is also survived by her grandchildren Brandy (with her husband Nick) and Samuel (with his wife Amanda).

Georganna was born in Rotan Texas on March 26, 1934 to James and Edna Chester. She frequently recounted playing paper dolls with her cousin while growing up. This included making dolls by cutting the pictures of the clothing models from the Sears catalog.

Her family moved from Texas, finally settling in the Yakima Valley in Grandview Washington. She went to the local schools where she met her future husband when they were in the sixth grade. Georganna was the oldest of five children, survived by Judy Chester, Thomas Michael Chester and Kathy Gonzalez. Her brother Robert Chester predeceased her.

Georganna and Duane did not begin dating until after High School but soon married on June 9, 1956. They lived in several places before settling in Ephrata Washington to ultimately start their family. The couple welcomed their first son, Curtis in 1963 followed by Kenneth in 1965. The family moved from Ephrata to small towns in the Columbia Basin before settling in Moses Lake, Washington in 1971.

Georganna was an accomplished bookkeeper working for a number of small businesses, finishing her career as a sales associate in a local department store. While she enjoyed work and interacting with both co-workers and customers, she was happiest when spending time with her family.

A lifelong interest in sewing and working with fabric had begun before High School where she was part of the fashion club. Georganna spent much of her free time sewing quilts, crocheting, hand tying rugs from strips of fabric and making Christmas Santas and sock monkeys. She frequently used strips of fabric from items that would have been discarded, inspired by a favorite saying:

“Use it up, Wear it out, Make it do or Do without”

The couple continued living in Moses Lake until 2003 when they moved to SeaTac Washington to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Avid walkers, they were frequently seen in the neighborhood getting their daily exercise and regularly driving to the local marina to walk. While Duane was serious about the exercise, Georganna frequently stopped to chat with other people considering these outings to be an opportunity to socialize.

When she was not sewing, walking or baking sweet treats, she enjoyed being outside gardening and pulling those darn weeds. Her flowers of choice were Marigolds and Sunflowers.

Following their desire to return to a smaller community, Georganna and Duane returned to Central Washington in December 2021, settling in a home in Ellensburg. Here she continued to work on sewing projects including a final quilt on which she collaborated with her granddaughter.

Georganna was a loving wife, devoted mother, caring sister and steadfast friend. As she frequently joked, she wanted to be known as “A Good Woman.” She was and will be missed.

A family Interment will be held at Thursday, April 4, 2024 on 11:00 a.m at Grandview Cemetery in Grandview, WA. Those wishing to sign Georganna’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com  Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

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