Erleen Ruth Beckley Obituary (2024)

Erleen Ruth Beckley May 10, 1939 - October 16, 2024 Erleen Ruth Beckley died peacefully on October 16th, 2024 in Ellensburg, WA. She had the privilege of final conversations with her family and many friends. Erleen was born in Seattle on May 10, 1939 and raised in a neighborhood near the University of Washington with a view of Lake Washington. She graduated from prestigious Roosevelt H.S. in 1957 and then entered the University of Washington graduating in 1961 with a B.A. in Education. Later she obtained a Masters Degree in Education. During her younger years, Erleen focused on helping others...a trait that defined her entire life. She flourished meeting people, becoming an accomplished organist and helping her father at his men's store called "Iddins" near the University of Washington. For many years she was a camper and later became a camp counselor at the famous Henderson Camp on Lopez Island, WA. While there she met her lifelong friend Harriet Arkley and as counselors they adopted nicknames of "Squirrel" (Erleen) and "Twinkle (Harriet)." Erleen and her former husband, Ken Beckley, met in Seattle in 1961 while she was an elementary school teacher and Ken was a pharmacist. They courted. Ken still remembers Erleen's good faith gift she sent from her summer time in Hawaii to Ken, when working in Alaska...it was a Hawaiian fresh picked pineapple sent by boat. Erleen and Ken were married in June 1963 in Seattle, WA, just before Ken entered the University of Washington School of Law with Erleen teaching elementary school. During that period until mid-1966 they thrived as a starting couple. Highlights were frequent travels camping and 12,000 mile road trip (Summer 1965) in a classic VW microbus throughout Mexico, Belize and Guatemala with lifelong friends the Tjossems (Yes, he was born in Ellensburg and Tjossem road is named after his family). Erleen had an adventurous streak which many of her close friends may not have known. That adventuresome spirit continued when Ken graduated from law school in 1966. Erleen and Ken were accepted into the very early years of the United States Peace Corps serving in Liberia, West Africa from late 1966 to early 1969, when they returned to Seattle. In Liberia Erleen taught in rudimentary elementary school and health facilities while Ken was an instructor at the Liberian National Law School. Those years were tip-top highlight for Erleen including the many remote areas of West, East, and North Africa they visited. Yes, Erleen actually visited the fabled remote, Sahara desert town of Timbuktu! Erleen continued teaching following their return to Seattle, while Ken entered private law practice. She gave birth to sons Keith (1970), Darren (1972), and Ross (1975). They decided a better family lifestyle awaited in a countryside oriented setting and in mid-1975 they moved to Ellensburg. Erleen was a dedicated stay-at-home mom for several years raising their 3 sons and following the arrival of her daughter Cheryl in 1980. She was actively involved in community activities, 4-H programs, schools, parents groups and being an all-around great supporting and influential mother. In 1987 Erleen started her new career as the primary instructor and supervisor of the YVCC (Yakima Valley Community College) Adult G.E.D. program in Ellensburg. While at YVCC, Erleen's relentless focus on the benefits of education and assisting young adults through challenges was widely recognized up to her retirement in 2013. The YVCC program... as well as the time Erleen spent helping inmates at the Kittitas County Correction Center...flourished under her direction and foresight. Erleen is survived by her 4 Children Keith (Gabriela) of Santa Fe, N.M.; Darren (Brenda) of Boise, ID and grandsons Sam (23) and Alex (20); Ross of Bellingham, WA and Cheryl of Kailua-Kona, HI and grandsons River (12) and Hunter (10). She is also survived by her supportive sister-in-law Sandra Rath (Lake Forest Park, WA) and her daughters Ashley Weiner of Seattle, WA and Hillary Carpenter of Portland, OR. Also her former husband Ken Beckley (Ellensburg) and his companion Lana Guinn with whom Erleen had a wonderful relationship. Even though they divorced in 2004, they remained close friends. She was also survived by her nephews James Iddins and family (Whidbey Island, WA) and Robert Iddins and family (Arlington, WA). She was predeceased by her younger brother Robert Iddins. Special recognition goes to the wonderful staff and her supportive friends especially Kim and Chris at Pacifica, Assisted Living, in Ellensburg, WA., where she resided since October, 2023. Also, the compassionate assistance from KVH Hospice during her final few days. A memorial service for Erleen Ruth Beckley will be conducted at First Lutheran Church, 512 N. Ruby Street, Ellensburg, WA. commencing at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 11, 2025. Light refreshments will be served in the Church Fellowship Hall following the service.