Georgia R. Rich
Yakima, Washington
(formerly Dryden, WA)
Georgia R. Rich, 82, died on Monday, August 16, 2021 in Yakima, WA. Georgia Rae Wilken was born on November 19, 1938 in Leavenworth, WA. to George E. and Velma L. (Sharrard) Wilken. Georgia joined her parents and older brother Morey on the ranch (as she called it) in Dryden, WA, and was in Dryden’s final senior year before Peshastin and Dryden merged. She had many pets growing up, but she especially enjoyed telling the stories of her pets Bambi and Kippy. At school she took part in band and acting. Her mother was a school cook and she was thrilled and proud when asked about her mother’s recipes years later.
She had fun stories to share to travel through with her friend and roommate Elaine after high school, and then graduated from Wenatchee School of Commerce and got her first job at Douglas County PUD.
She met Eddy Rich in November 1960 and they were engaged by Christmas. Ed and Georgia were married on February 18, 1961 at Dryden Congregational Church. They settled in East Wenatchee, WA and welcomed their son Brad on June 19, 1962. Georgia then became a housewife. She and Brad would travel and stay with Ed on his Washington and Oregon construction sites. In 1968 they adopted daughter Kimberly. Georgia and friend Sandi spent many fun hours together with their children, helping friend Verla with handicrafts and flowers.
Ed and Georgia were both Jaycee’s, volunteers and judges at the Chelan County Fair, served on the board of the Softball Association, and ran the franchise booth for many years. Georgia was a great cook and enjoyed baking, canning, and handing out merchandise at the fair when she was young. She was a PTA mom, class mom, bluebirds and campfire mom and spent many hours cheering us on at sporting events and accompanying school dances. When Brad and Kim were teenagers, Georgia took a part-time job at the country club. One phone call looking for her sister-in-law, then she got a job with the Washington State Apple Commission. She made many friends at the Apple Commission and retired there in 2000.
She and Ed bought a summer home at Watson’s Harverene Resort on Lake Chelan, where they spent hours pulling kids water-skiing. They especially enjoyed spending time there with friends and family. In 1988 they traveled to Finland with Ed’s brother Don and his wife Gerre as well as the exchange student daughter Bettina and her family.
Georgia and Ed moved to the Dryden ranch in 1996. She sadly lost Ed in 1997. She hooked up with old friends, spent time with “the girls”, met for lunch, went out to dinner, played bunco and pinochle, and went to church. She still volunteered at the show now and then and was a member of the Dryden Improvement Club. She helped with yard sales, chili feeds, rest stop work, funeral dinners, candidate selection, cake socials, and she was particularly happy to help plan Dryden’s 100th birthday party. She and her friend Earlyne spent time walking into town together, talking on the phone for hours, and traveling a little together. They went for walks with cashmere, collected aluminum cans to donate dog and cat food to the Humane Society, and spent a summer cleaning graves in Cashmere, WA. Georgia, along with friends Diane and Donna, started the free community meals at Cashmere United Methodist Church, which they hosted weekly for years. The three were named Citizens of the Year for their commitment. She helped make quilts with friends in the Lutheran Church and was particularly fond of going to concerts, musicals, and plays. When she wasn’t busy with friends, she would spend a lot of time working in her garden, calling Kim on the phone every day, finding things Brad could help her with, and going to her grandchildren’s events.
The whole family is grateful to Dave Barnett for his friendship and the lease and maintenance of their orchard.
Georgia leaves behind her son Brad (Chris) from Dryden, WA and daughter Kimberly (David) from Yakima, WA; Grandchildren: Troy (Amber), Lana, Edward, Bryan and Kat (JR); Great-grandchildren: Izzie and Raylan. Her husband, Edward, preceded her in death; Parents; Brother Maurice; and granddaughter Shelby.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, August 27, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Evergreen Memorial Park, 1301 10th St. NE., East Wenatchee, WA (10th) and dinner at the Dryden Improvement Club, in the Community Hall, behind the Dryden Fire Department.
In honor of Georgia, donations can be made to the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society, 1474 S. Wenatchee Ave., Wenatchee, WA, 98801, or the Alzheimer’s Association at https: //.
act.alz.org/.
The arrangements are handled by Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA. There will be no viewing at your request.
