Maybelle Elizabeth Leinbach

Maybelle Elizabeth Leinbach, 102, passed away at Washington Odd Fellows Home, Walla Walla, April 20, 2023. She was the daughter of Edward C. Burlingame, Jr. and Lucy Martin Burlingame. She was born November 7, 1920, at the home of her grandparents, E. C. Burlingame, Sr., and Elizabeth Burlingame, at 17 Merriam Street, Walla Walla. She was raised in Gardena, WA, on a ranch where she rode horseback five miles to school. She graduated from Umapine High School in May 1938 and married Ronald Leinbach in July 1938. They were married 73 years and had two children, Ronald Leinbach, Jr., of Gardena, WA, and Dianne Wales of Walla Walla. They farmed for 57 years in Gardena before moving to Walla Walla in 1995. She drove the school bus for 20 years for the Umapine School District. She also worked for the Department of Agriculture as a horticulture inspector in Walla Walla for eight years. She was a 4-H leader and was active in the Oregon Home Extension Program. She was a member of College Place Presbyterian Church, Gardena Community Club, Lo WA To, Walla Walla Senior Center, Milton­ Freewater Historical Society, Fort Walla Walla Museum, Narcissa Rebecca Lodge No. 2, Lady Elks, and St. Mary's Medical Service League where she volunteered in the gift shop for 30 years. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, needlepoint, bowling, golf, bridge, and pinochle. She was a rodeo fan and went to the national finals in Las Vegas. She loved traveling with her husband, Ronald, and they traveled to Arizona and Pennsylvania to visit relatives. On their anniversary, they always went to the Oregon coast and spent several winters in Yuma, Arizona. In addition, they enjoyed ocean cruises and went to Hawaii, Panama Canal, Alaska, and other destinations.

She is survived by her son, Ronald Leinbach, Jr. of Gardena, and daughter, Dianne Wales of Walla Walla, Washington; sister, Kathy Rothrock of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; four grandchildren, Sarah, Ronda, Tracie, and Jodie; nine great-grandchildren; and twelve great-great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews, and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald; mother, Lucy Burlingame; father, Edward Burlingame, Jr. and stepmother, Beulah; grandparents, E.C. Burlingame, Sr., and Elizabeth; brother Edward C. Burlingame III; half-brother, Wilmer Barker; two half-sisters, Loretta Fugate and Catherine Brown, and two great-grandchildren.

At Maybelle's request, there will be no funeral. Instead, a celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to College Place Presbyterian Church or a charity of choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder St., Walla Walla, WA 99362. In addition, friends and family are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.herringgroseclose.com.