Bess Frank Obituary (1925

The pickle crocks are quiet and only memories. The fudge pans are empty, the skillets and the oven are cold. No more pickles or fudge. No more of the "Kids" special (from scratch) chocolate birthday cakes with sticky white icing, topped with toasted coconut. The plastic gallon jars full of chocolate chip cookies are no more. Mother has been granted her heavenly "Master Chefs" white coat in God's Kitchen. Mom passed away Thursday, Feb. 23rd, 2017 at Applecreek Adult Family Home, Yakima. Bess (Walter) Frank was the sixth of seven children born to James and Mary Walter on May 22nd, 1925 in the small Rogue River Oregon town of Holland, near Grants Pass. The family moved to Cowiche, Washington in 1928 where they lived in an old fruit warehouse with wooden apple boxes stacked as room dividers, "Poor as church mice" mom would say! Times were very hard for the family, although mom told us they didn't know they were poor, because mostly everyone was poor during the Depression. The term "tougher than leather" was part of the Walter family's genetic makeup! Bess started school in 1931, known then as the Cowiche Central School, later known as the Catholic school (the building with the oblong tube slide fire escape on the outside wall). The next move for the family was in 1937 to the Mabton area on Hornby Road where mom went to the Belma school and then Grandview High School, graduating in 1943. Mom was walking home past the Perham Fruit Warehouse in Grandview, when a handsome fellow making wooden apple boxes caught her eye. This handsome fellow was Jake Frank, and the rest, as they say, is history! Bess and Jake were married Sept. 2nd, 1944 just after dad returned home from WWII. Jake and Bess were blessed with four sons, Larry, Ronald, Dennis, and Kevin. Mother supported dad in many business adventures including a small dairy in Grandview, a turkey ranch in Goldendale, a farm in Selah, which was mom's most favorite time in her life, with the fondest memories of friends and memories gathered there, all while raising four boys. The biggest adventure is Frank's Tire Store, which dad and mom started in 1957, and is still a family operation today. Mother was very proud of the tire store and was always "selling tires" wherever she went! Mom never met a stranger and would talk to a fence post if it would nod! Bess was always busy preparing some kind of food for someone in her kitchen, whether a breakfast, lunch, or evening meal, and would always take a meal to a family or friend in need. There was always room for another plate at mom and dad's table. Mother was best known for her pickles of many types, especially the "sweet chunks," but was a master at pretty much anything in her recipe book. For several years, mom would bake as much as fifty pounds of fudge and take it to the Yakima Firing Center at Christmas for the soldiers to enjoy. Mother was quite the cook and could make a meal "out of nothing" fit for a king. One of our family friends used to say, "you can't buy a meal like this downtown!" Jake and Bess were active members in the Selah Methodist Church, making many lifelong friends over many decades. There were many potlucks, hay rides, bonfires, and BBQs shared "on the ranch" with many of the church friends, neighbors, and family. Many exchange students from many countries, mainly Japan, were welcomed into mom and dad's home for several years. Jake and Bess traveled to several foreign countries, and many of the states in the U.S., always taking close friends or relatives with them. The cabin at Rimrock Lake was one of the folk's favorite get-aways and gatherings for holidays, and several family reunions. Bess was a wonderful and loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Her heart for giving was bigger than a house, her feistiness, laughter and wise cracks were a hoot, and will be missed. Most of all her warm and lovingly prepared meals will be cherished and remembered by many. Bess is survived by her four sons, Larry Frank (Wendi), Ron Frank (Jody), Kevin Frank, all of Yakima, and Dennis Frank of Libby, MT; eleven grandchildren: Rhonda Frank, Tamera Reeves, Bryan Frank, Katrina Newton, Robert Jacob ("BJ") Frank, McKenzie Frank, Cassie Frank, Larry Frank Jr. ("JR"), Myra Frank, Brandon Winkler, and Candice Winkler; fifteen great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; one sister, Clarice "Toots" Grove of Grandview; one sister-in-law, Julie Frank of Tacoma; and two foster daughters, Connie Singleton and her sister Mary Frogge. The family would like to extend our sincere and heartfelt thank you to the entire staff and caregivers at Applecreek Adult Family Home. The personal and loving care provided was from the heart. There, mother became part of their family. Donations may be made to The Children's Hospital, The Shriners Hospital, or a charity of your choice. Viewing will be held on Thursday March 2, 2017 from 3 pm - 7 pm at Shaw & Sons Funeral Directors, 201 N. 2nd St., Yakima. Celebration of Life service will be on Friday March 3, 2017 at 11:00 am also at Shaw and Sons in Yakima. Memorials may be made to a children's hospital or the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.shawandsons.com/tribute.