RaVae Ann Warmenhoven

Smith Funeral Home

RaVae Ann (Johnson) Warmenhoven went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 20, 2006. Her beautiful smile and gracious heart will be greatly missed by all who loved her.

RaVae was born January 25, 1948, in Mitchell, SD, to Volney and Elaine Johnson. Her unique name came from a childhood friend of her mother's. RaVae, a pastor's daughter, grew up in such varied locations as Nampa, ID, Enterprise, OR, Elgin, OR, Emmett, ID, and Casper, WY. After graduating from Casper High School, RaVae attended Northwest Nazarene College in Nampa, ID. There she met Don Warmenhoven, whom she married on December 28, 1968, in Casper, WY. The temperature that day was 30 degrees below zero. The young couple moved to Grandview, WA, in 1969, where they raised their two children and became active community members. After her children were grown, RaVae returned to college to complete her bachelor's degree at Heritage College in 1992. Then in 1996 she earned a Master of Social Work from Walla Walla College.

RaVae had a gift of giving herself to others. She embraced a passion for training and educating the community about the value of all human life from the unborn to the elderly. She co-founded the Lower Valley Pregnancy Center in Grandview, WA. She was the director of Sun Terrace Assisted Living Centers in both Sunnyside and Prosser, WA. She was widely respected throughout the Yakima Valley for her talent in administration and compassion for her elderly residents. RaVae, a lifelong member of the Church of the Nazarene, spent 36 years actively involved in the Grandview Church of the Nazarene. She was active in many ministries of the church. She loved teaching and developing the lives of elementary-age children as they learned to draw closer to God. Ravae worked with Child Evangelism Ministries, starting up a local after school Good News Club where children met one day a week to listen to Bible stories.

One of her greatest joys came from her involvement with her 'Quiz Kids.' RaVae directed the Bible quizzing program for 18 years at Grandview Church of the Nazarene. Her quizzers took numerous honors throughout the years.

RaVae was an active member of the PEO Sisterhood, Chapter AU. She held several offices in Chapter AU and loved her PEO sisters immensely. RaVae had other numerous interests. She and Don loved to travel and most especially looked forward to their annual two-week trip to Hawaii.

RaVae was very creative and was anxious to try out the newest craft trends. She made beautiful scrapbooks of her family and travel adventures, which will be cherished for years to come. Most importantly, RaVae aspired to be Christlike. Her favorite Bible verses were Isaiah 40:31 and Matthew 11:28-30.

RaVae is survived by her husband, Don and her children Kary Ferguson, and husband Scott of Boise, ID; Joey Warmenhoven and wife Rebecca from Portland, OR; along with five special grandchildren, Sean, Connor and Collin Ferguson of Boise, ID; and Ashley and Emily Warmenhoven of Portland, OR. She is also survived by her parents, Volney and Elaine Johnson of Meridian, ID; and her brother, Denny Johnson and wife Jeanette of Meridian, ID. RaVae is also survived by Don's family: in-laws C.P. and Ruth Warmenhoven, Sam and Barb Warmenhoven and Corinne and John Rockwell.

RaVae loved her many nieces and nephews: Missy, Shaanti, Jenny, Casey, Wendy, Josh and Joel.

Special thanks go to Lower Valley Hospice and the nurses who tended to RaVae. The family would also like to thank RaVae's special caregivers, Mary Esparza and Connie Campos.

A memorial celebration will be held on Saturday, February 25, 2006, at Grandview Church of the Nazarene at 1 p.m. Pastors David Rodes, Gary Schenck and Hal Perkins will be officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lower Valley Pregnancy Center, 100 E. 3rd St., Grandview, WA 98930 or Lower Valley Hospice, 1920 Outlook Rd., Sunnyside, WA 98944.