Vernon Russel Maw

Vernon Russel Maw, 94, a 35 year Wenatchee Valley resident, passed away at Colonial Vista Assisted Living on Friday, October 17, 2014, where he had been residing for the past 15 months. He was born June 2, 1920, in O’Neill, NE to Ralph and Estella (Martin) Maw. Raised on the family farm in Meek, NE, he joined his older brothers, Glenn and Forrest. At age five, the family moved to Neligh, NE. In 1927, his sister, Donna Mae, joined the family. At age 14, he was baptized at the North Bend Christian Church. Upon the completion of the tenth grade, he drove with his father to Washington State, in hopes of making a better living for the family as the Depression was upon them. Finding work in the orchards for the Beebe Orchard company in the Chelan area, they returned to Nebraska to move the rest of the family to Washington. In 1941, he married Neva Butler in a double wedding ceremony with Harold and Barbara Simonsen and the two couples remained lifetime friends. They moved to Vancouver, WA for a short time, where he worked for the Furniture Factory and Kaiser Shipyards. Daughter, Ruth, was born there in 1942, and then they returned to the Chelan area and Beebe Orchard, where their second daughter, Jeanette, was born in 1944. Finding work in Mansfield with the Douglas County Road Department in 1949, started his 25 year career of work with the road department, including the last six years as County Road Supervisor. The family, by this time, also included daughter, Nancy and son, Edwin. Vern built the family home, watched the children graduate from school, get married and start their own families, before his retirement in 1975. After retirement, he and Neva managed the Lake Woods Golf Course in Bridgeport, WA for two years. Then, in 1980, they moved to the Wenatchee Valley. They enjoyed spending the winters in Arizona, golfing, rock hounding, wood carving, the Senior Center and making new friends. He was a member of the Ginkgo Mineral Society, Eagles and was a 50 year member of the Mansfield Grange. He is survived by his three daughters, Ruth (Mel) Fisher, Jeanette (Dell) Cavadini, and Nancy McDanold; a son, Edwin (Jean) Maw; eight grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Neva; parents; brothers, Glenn and Forrest; sister, Donna Mae; one granddaughter; and one great-grandson. Vernon taught his children strong work ethics, family fun, and laughter. Forever missed, always in our hearts. The family would like to thank the staff at Colonial Vista Assisted Living for their friendship and caring ways that made Vernon feel safe and at home. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2014, in Wenatchee, WA at the Eagles Lodge, 1208 N. Wenatchee Avenue at 11:30 a.m. Interment will be at the cemetery in Chelan, WA. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at jonesjonesbetts.com. Arrangements are by Jones & Jones ~ Betts Funeral Home.

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Vernon Russel Maw

June 2, 1920 - October 17, 2014