Rhetta Lee Cowden

Rhetta Lee Cowden, 79, passed away May 23, 2014 at home surrounded by her loving family. Rhetta was born October 2, 1934 in Walla Walla to Andrew and Mary Agnes Robertson.

Rhetta was the tenth of thirteen children of which there were three sets of multiples - Mary, Alan, James, Rachael, and Carrie Harris, Shirley Lamb, twins, Jack Robertson and Lela Wiseman, Rhetta’s twin, Samuel Robertson, triplets, Challan, Charles, and Blanch Robertson.

She was raised in Lake Itasca, Bambridge, Minnesota area where she spent 8 years in a one-room/one teacher school. Later attending a year of high school in Walla Walla living with sister, Shirley, working as a cook during harvest. Rhetta graduated from Bagley High School in 1952.

Along with brothers Samuel, Charles, Challan, Jack and sister, Lela, Rhetta was baptized May 8 and confirmed May 25, 1952 into the Lutheran Church. At the time of her death, she was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Walla Walla.

The family moved back to Washington where Rhetta graduated from nursing school in Pasco becoming a licensed practical nurse working at Our Lady of Lourdes. She met and married Clayton Cowden with whom they had five children. They later divorced.

Rhetta worked in the nursery of St Mary’s Hospital, changing jobs to work at the Washington State Penitentiary until her retirement in 1998.

Rhetta enjoyed working in her yard and especially spending time with her family whether it was camping, going to the mountains to cut firewood, or trips to the coast and river.

She is survived by Curtis Cowden, Vicki Hartwell (Wally), Kenneth Cowden (Kelly), Shelly Wickham (Keith) of Walla Walla including 16 grandchildren, 37 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandsons; her brothers, Jack, Samuel, Challan and Charles; and her sister-in-law, Beverly Brown.

She was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Alan and James; sisters, Mary, Rachael, Carrie, Shirley, Lela and Blanch; her daughter, Janet Marie; and grandson, Alexander.

Viewing & visitation will be Tuesday, May 27, 2014 from 11:00 AM until 7:00 PM at the Herring Groseclose Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2014 at 11:00am at Trinity Lutheran Church, Roosevelt Street, Walla Walla. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church through the funeral home.