CURTIS LEROY LUDWIG

Richland, Wash.

Curtis Leroy Ludwig passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side in Richland, WA, on October 18, 2012. Curtis was born to Ethel and William Ludwig in Talent, OR, on April 21, 1929. Most of his younger years were spent in Northern California and Oregon. His high school years were spent in Richland, where he graduated from Columbia High School in 1947. He attended Oregon State University and went on to receive his Doctorate of Jurisprudence from Willamette University Law School in 1952.

After serving in the United States Army for 3 years and prior to acceptance into the Washington State Bar in 1954, Curtis was an insurance claims adjuster in Spokane WA. He started his private law practice in Kennewick and joined the Benton County prosecutors office in 1960. Curtis served as a deputy prosecuting attorney for 14 years and the Prosecuting Attorney for 12 years, retiring from Benton County in 1987. In 1963 he was appointed U.S. Court Commissioner for Eastern Washington. Curtis also served the citizens of Benton County when he was elected as the 8th District State Representative in 1990 and later appointed to the Washington State Senate in 1993. In 1996 he was appointed to the Washington State Gambling Commission and served two terms. Curtis went back into private practice briefly in 2001. He permanently retired in 2004 and spent a great deal of time on the Oregon Coast. Curtis also enjoyed spending time with his daughters, grandchildren and flying his hot air balloon in his retirement years.

Curtis was preceded in death by his parents William and Ethel, and his former wife Ruby Ellen Ludwig. He is survived by his brother, Harold Ludwig of Phelan, CA; his four daughters, Kim (Don) Roueche, Kay Gonzales, Brenda (Bret) Bailey, and Connie Ludwig all of Richland; 7 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff at Kennewick General Hospital and Richland Lifecare Center for the excellent care they provided Curtis in his final months and last few days.

A private family service is being planned.

BERYL FRANCIS DAWKINS

Beryl Francis Dawkins passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on September 28, 2012. She was born March 23, 1924, in Twin Falls, Idaho. Beryl lived on a wheat farm north of Kahlotus, WA, since 1948.

Beryl grew up on her family's ranch south of Twin Falls, part of which her father had homesteaded in 1912. She was the oldest of five siblings, with one brother and three sisters. She attended a two-room country school until 6th grade, riding a horse 11/2 miles to school. Her mother taught at this school before she married. The school later consolidated with a neighboring district, which included a high school and bus transportation.

Beryl attended the College of Idaho for 2 years where she majored in music with a minor in education. She earned an Idaho teacher's certificate and taught music in public schools during World War II. At this time, she also volunteered as a hostess in the USO in Twin Falls and received the Meritorious Service Award. In the fall of 1945, she enrolled at Whitman College in Walla Walla where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in music plus a fifth year, which qualified her to teach in Washington and Oregon in addition to Idaho.

In October 1948, she married Alex E. Watson and became a permanent resident of the wheat ranch, which his father had homesteaded in 1902 north of Kahlotus. Alex was a Flying Farmer and Mason; so she soon became involved in those organizations. They had three children before he was killed in January 1955. She was a single mom for the next seventeen years. During this time, she renewed her teaching credentials and taught in the Kahlotus High School. She later taught in the grade school and kindergarten.

Beryl was very active in many organizations over the years that included: Flying Farmers; Order of Eastern Star since 1949; Kahlotus Community United Methodist Church since 1954; Washington State Society DAR since 1970; 4H club leader; Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs (life member); Benton-Franklin County Fair Department Superintend; Kahlotus Grange #939; Franklin County Historical Society; Meals on Wheels volunteer; Retired Teachers Association; Washington Association of Wheat Growers; Aging and Long Term Care Advisory Board.

Preceding Beryl in death were parents, Clarissa and Beryl S. Kunkel; first husband, Alex E. Watson; second husband, Don Dawkins; daughter, Martha Francis Watson; sister Mary Breen. Surviving family includes sons Alex R. Watson and Bruce (Jan) E. Watson both of Kahlotus; brother Bruce Kunkel; sisters Claire Wilkes and Martha Clure; granddaughter, Alexandra Shaeffer; grandsons, Austin Koehler, TJ Koehler, and Lee Koehler; great-grandchildren Samantha Koehler, Beaudi Shaeffer, and Stella Koehler.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Saturday, October 27, 2012, at the Kahlotus Community United Methodist Church in Kahlotus, WA. A reception with cake and refreshments will be held at the church following the service. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, or Franklin Co Historical Society, or a charity of your choice.