Dietrich Peter Funk Obituary (1932

Dietrich Peter "Pete" Funk, 91, peacefully passed away on Friday, September 29, 2023, at Cottage in the Meadow, in Yakima, Washington. Surrounded by loved ones, he was surely welcomed into the Lords presence with the words of Scripture, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Pete was born in Yakima, Washington, to Dietrich D. and Dorothy (Ettinger) Funk. He grew up in Harrah, Washington, and graduated from White Swan High School (WSHS), class of 1950. He was active in the Future Farmers of America (FFA). Pete studied agriculture in Pullman at Washington State College (now WSU), graduating in 1954, where he was president of the Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. Pete was drafted into the United States Army and served for two years in Georgia, during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, he came home to Harrah and farmed with his father. During this time, his older sister DoDo (Dorothy) was a nursing instructor at Whitworth College in Spokane and introduced him to the beautiful JoAnn Hopkins, who was finishing her nursing degree in Spokane. The two wed in August 1962 and were married for 58 years, until JoAnns passing in 2020. Pete loved farming with his father and was deeply impacted by his untimely death in 1964 due to a farming accident. For the next 20 years, he carried on his dads legacy of farming, by raising sugar beets, mint, wheat, corn, and potatoes. Pete served as president of the Washington State Sugar Beet Growers Association. In 1986, Pete returned to WSHS to serve in the vocational agriculture program. He helped manage its greenhouse, annual plant sale, Central Washington State Fair booth, pig barn, and livestock preview show. He also drove school bus for the Mt. Adams School District and served as president of the local Public School Employees (PSE) chapter. Pete highly valued education and was a "lifelong learner," earning his teaching certificate from Heritage University at the age of 62. Pete was a dedicated Cougar sports fan, for both the White Swan High School Cougars and the Washington State Cougars. For many years, he announced the WSHS Friday night home football games. He only stated the final score at the end of the contest if the Cougars won! He attended hundreds of basketball games, ringing a cowbell and cheering for his childrens and grandchildrens teams. Petes Christian faith and love for Jesus informed every aspect of his life. He was a dedicated Sunday School teacher for over 50 years at Harrah Community Church, where he also served as an elder. Every spring, for its Round-up Sunday, he could be counted upon to bring the orange juice, coffee, and maple syrup for the cowboy pancake breakfast. He also participated in Bible Study Fellowship. Pete is preceded in death by his parents, Dick and Dorothy Funk; his sister, Dorothy Funk Corona; his beloved wife, JoAnn; and his only niece, Lani Corona Conrad. He will be deeply missed by all of his children and grandchildren and is survived by his daughter, Anna Marie Dufault of Olympia, son, David Funk (Kristy Funk) of Colbert, son, Raymond Funk (Lonni Rodriguez-Funk) of Yakima, daughter, Jennifer Funk (Mike Bush) of Redmond, and seven grandchildren, Peter Dufault, Seth Dufault, Megan Dufault, Lillian Funk, Trey Funk, Monica Ruddell, and Rowan Bush. A Viewing will be held on Monday, October 9, 2023, from 4:00-7:00pm, at Shaw & Sons Funeral Home (201 N. 2nd St., Yakima, WA). A Memorial Service will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 1:00pm, at Shaw & Sons Funeral Home. The family suggests memorial gifts to Harrah Community Church, the Washington FFA Foundation Gene Forrester Agricultural Education Scholarship Fund, or the Parker Youth & Sports Foundation. Shaw & Sons Funeral Home is caring for the family. Memories and condolences can be shared at www.shawandsons.com. Visitation Shaw and Sons Funeral Home Monday, October 9, 2023 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM 201 N 2nd St. Yakima, WA 98901 Memorial Service Shaw and Sons Funeral Home Tuesday, October 10, 2023 1:00 PM 201 N 2nd St. Yakima, WA 98901