Iris L. Rominger Obituary (2025)

Iris L. Rominger, 81, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 8, 2025, in Ellensburg, Washington. Born on January 5, 1944, in Ellensburg, Iris was the youngest of five children of Wallace R. Herr and Mabel G. (Borthwick) Herr Rice. She attended Ellensburg schools and graduated with the Class of 1962. Iris married John (Jack) Cahoon, and together they welcomed two children, Nicole and Barry. After living in several places around Washington State for a few years, the family returned home to Ellensburg. Following their divorce, Iris married Danny Rominger Sr., and they had one son, Danny. After that marriage ended, Iris worked various jobs before deciding to continue her education at Yakima Valley Community College. In 1978, shortly after completing her studies, she began her long and dedicated career at the Kittitas County Assessor's Office. Iris advanced through several positions, and in 1994, after the Assessor retired, she was appointed to the role of Assessor and later that year was elected to the office. She retained the office until her retirement at the end of her final term in 2006. Iris loved her family deeply--her children, grandchildren, and all those she considered family. She cherished time spent with special friends, tending to her yard and flowers, reading mysteries, decorating her home, watching television, and walking her granddogs along the Yakima River. One of her greatest joys was showing love through cooking her family's favorite meals. During retirement, she enjoyed the chance to cruise with her son Barry and his wife Vicki, and to make extended visits to Danny's family wherever they were stationed with the Marine Corps. Iris is survived by her daughter, Nicole Cahoon Young of Ellensburg; her sons, Barry Cahoon (Vicki) of Renton; Danny Rominger Jr. (Amy) of Ellensburg; grandchildren Haley Rominger, Ashlyn Rominger, and Jonathan Rominger of Ellensburg; step-grandson Michael Whitehead (Shannon) and great-grandchildren Tyson and Weston of British Columbia, Canada; step-grandson Jordon Whitehead of Renton; brother, Robert Herr of Ellensburg, and her niece, Lanaya Herr, also of Ellensburg. She was preceded in death by her parents; her sisters, Ramona Herr Palin and Barbara Herr; and her brother, Don "Pat" Herr. At Iris's request, there will be no funeral service. She hoped her children would gather together at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery niche where she will be interred, after spreading a few of her ashes at some of her favorite places. In lieu of flowers, Iris requested that donations be made to the FISH Food Bank or to any local church that provides weekend meals through the backpack program for Ellensburg School District. Brookside Funeral Home and Crematory is entrusted with arrangements.