Alice Elizabeth Sutley Obituary (2025)

Alice E. Sutley was born on July 31, 1929, to Mike and Alice Massimi, in Burnstad, North Dakota. Alice, born Elizia Moser after her mother, was one of 12 children. Alice was second of the youngest but bore the same responsibilities and work ethics of all the Moser children on the farm. When Val, her oldest brother, found work in Yakima, the whole family moved out West with him. Alice continued working with her family on various farms and orchards in the Yakima area, ensuring her paycheck was turned over to her father, to help support the family. At the age of 17, on January 4, 1947, Alice married the love of her life, Bernaard Bea Sutley. They stayed in Yak9ima and raised their three children, Mike, Mary, and Nancy. Alice raised her children to have the same work ethic that she was brought up with and carried with her to this day. Alice was a faithful woman, who accepted her joys and sorrows gracefully. She was never afraid of hard work, whether it was working with the family in the fruit orchards or packing those same apples in the warehouse. She had a love of gardening, including vegetables, flowers, and her favorite, plum tomatoes. Alice also enjoyed making jams, jellies, and canning preserves. She was known for her excellent homemade sauerkraut and canned beets. You could always count on her to ask if you wanted to go then, the "Fruit Room" and help yourself. Every week she would make bread for her family and the freezer was always stocked with her homemade apple turnovers. Alice always prepared enough food to feed an army, and when you stopped in for a visit, you were sure to get something to eat, because no one left hungry. Duing the holidays, she shared her love of baking and candy with her grandchildren by her side. Alice had a talent for crafts, and she kept her hands busy with crocheting and embroidery, in fact everyone to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren just recently each received a handmade embroidered towel, a treasure each will cherish. In her later years, she was very involved with her local church, The Holy Redeemer, her local church women's group, and enjoyed providing sandwiches for the homeless, and helping with activities for parishioners. In 2019, after the death of her special friend, Marvin Bechard, she moved into Orchard Park Retirement Community, where her sister, Mary, also lived until her passing. Alice enjoyed eating in the dining room with her new friends, as well as the activities they provided. One of her highlights was having an Elvis impersonator come in and sing to the residents. Alice will surely be missed by all who were blessed to have her in their life, but especially her family, who knew just how special she was. Alice is survived by her youngest sister, Tracie O'Bara, her son, Mike (Carole) Sutley, her daughter, Mary Ann Harris, her late daughter's husband, Dennis Hardesty, her grandchildren, Christina (Mike) Thomas, Joe (Michelle) Jensen, Eric Esparza, Angela (Grant) Perry, Stacie (Dave) Anderson, Michael (Stephanee) Hardesty, plus her many great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Mike and Elizia Moser, her husband, Bernard Sutley, her daughter, Nancy Hardesty, her son-in-law, Gillis Harris, and 10 of her siblings, Val, Maggie, Peter, Lawrence, Mike, Dorethy, Frank, Mary, Joseph, and Tony. A Viewing will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 11:00am, at Shaw & Sons Funeral Home (201 N. 2nd St., Yakima, WA). A Funeral Service will follow at 12:00pm. A Graveside Service will be held at Calvary Cemetery. Shaw & Sons Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.shawandsons.com.