Mary Jane Fehrenbacher

Mary Jane Fehrenbacher, 79, passed away on December 20 ^th of 2020 in Walla Walla, Washington. Born on December 13, 1941 in Walla Walla, to Lilly Pearl Tinsley Fehrenbacher and Thomas Fehrenbacher of Milton-Freewater, Oregon, Mary Jane was their only child.

Mary Jane resided at her life-long home on Sunquist Road, Milton-Freewater, Oregon until July of 2019, when she became a resident at Park Manor in Walla Walla due to health issues.

In 1964, Mary Jane earned her Bachelor of Arts in Education degree from Fort Wright College of the Holy Names in Spokane, Washington. She taught for the Athena-Weston School District her entire teaching career, and upon retiring, went on to earn an added Master's in Counseling at Western Oregon University.

Mary Jane acquired her love for the sheep business from her parents on their farm at an early age and it was a lifelong love for her. She was an active member of 4-H in her formative years, and a recipient of many 4-H awards with her sheep. She is well known for her involvement in the area sheep and wool industry. She started a Sheep to Shawl program in the local Walla Walla area, and was awarded the honor of Parade Marshal for the Umatilla County Fair for her commitment to agriculture and the wool industry in Oregon.

Mary Jane, up until recently, enjoyed being a weekly vendor, along with her beloved dog Jake, at the local Walla Walla Downtown Farmer’s Market, where she was well known for her sheep, llama and alpaca products, both the meat they provided and the wool she enjoyed spinning into yarn.

Mary Jane was an active and proud life-long member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walla Walla and the Catholic Daughters of America.

Mary Jane will be missed by her many friends, family and the communities in which she was involved. Contributions may be made in her honor to a charity of your choice through Herring Groseclose Funeral Home 315 W. Alder St.  Walla Walla, WA 99362.