Patsy Ruth Ingham

Patsy R. “Pat” Ingham, passed away December 3, 2017, at her home surrounded by family, at the age of 87.

Pat was born January 14, 1930, in Pullman, Washington, to Homer and Ruth (Divine) Evans. She attended grade school and one year of high school in Pullman and in 1945 moved to Gardena, Washington with her mother and brother. She graduated from Touchet High School in 1948. She then attended Washington State College (WSC) graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Education in 1952. While at WSC she was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority and swam with the WSC synchronized swim group, the Fish Fans.

On December 20, 1952, Pat and Rodney C. Ingham married and they began their life of over 60 years together. Upon Rod’s commissioning in the U.S. Army in 1954, she and Rod spent the next 2 years in Fort Benning, Georgia and Fort Dix, New Jersey, with Pat teaching school as Rod completed his military service. Pat and Rod returned to the Walla Walla area in 1956. In the early 1960s, in addition to raising their children, Pat taught and coached the girls high school basketball team at DeSales High School, taught at Edison Elementary School, and participated and taught in the first Head Start program in Walla Walla.

In 1967, Pat and Rod returned to Touchet, building their home on the family farm in which Pat lived for the next 49 years. Upon returning to Touchet, Pat taught home economics and reading at Touchet Schools as well as coaching girls track and girls high school basketball. In the 1980s Pat and Rod bought the Outpost Tavern in Touchet, re-named it the Seed House Saloon and operated it for the next 20 years.

Pat and Rod have three children: Mike Ingham, Rhonda Strother, and Mitch Ingham. Pat was active in many community and civic organizations including St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary, serving as a Blue Bird leader, Sweet Adeline’s, service on the Washington State Fair Commission, and participating in and hosting many bridge club nights. Pat served 9 years on the board of directors of the Walla Walla Fair and Frontier Days and served as board President. Pat and Rod were both Frontier Days Parade Grand Marshals in 2004.

Pat is survived by sons, Mike (Sharon), and Mitch (Annette), and daughter, Rhonda (Monica). Pat has six grandchildren: Brandon, Jonathan, Patrick, Rachael, Monica, and Lucas and numerous nieces and nephews.

Pat was preceded in death by her husband of over 60 years, Rod; an infant son, Greg; her brother, Jaye; and her mother and father.
She will be greatly missed by her family.

At Pat’s request there will be no memorial service. A celebration of her life will be held on January 6, 2018, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Touchet-Gardena Lion’s Club (old Gardena School.)

Memorial Contributions may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, Walla Walla Community Hospice or a charity of the donor’s choice through the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362.