Cookie Ringe

LaDell “Cookie” Ringe passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, November 11, 2023, surrounded by family, at the Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle after a short illness. A memorial service will be held 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023 at the First Lutheran Church in Ellensburg with a luncheon to follow.

Cookie was born in Great Falls, Montana, to Albin “Andy” Anderson and Adeline “Andi” (Peckham) Anderson on October 29, 1957. Her family moved to the Kittitas Valley in the 60’s and eventually made their home in Kittitas, Washington. She graduated from Kittitas High School in 1976 and then attended Central Washington State College.

She met the love of her life, Bradley J. Ringe, while attending Sunday school at First Lutheran Church. While Brad and his family were seated in front of Cookie and her family in church one Sunday morning, Cookie declared to her mother, “Someday, I am going to marry that man.” After dating in college, Brad and Cookie married on August 19, 1978. Following a brief residence in Moses Lake, they settled in Ellensburg where they raised their three children Brooke, Tyler, and Andrea.

She was a member of a women’s Sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, and delighted in the friendships of her fellow “Beta Girls.” Together they laughed, cried, and supported each other raising kids and navigating each other’s life moments.

Cookie was a longtime member of First Lutheran Church, serving as Sunday school teacher and wedding coordinator for many years. She mainly taught first and second graders, taking pride in helping them to learn about the Bible and its lessons.

Cookie retired from Central Washington University in 2017 after 33 years. Most of those years were spent in the Student Employment and Financial Aid Departments. She loved mentoring and “mothering” her students and always made sure they were taken care of. She was proud to be their “mom away from mom.”

Together, Brad and Cookie enjoyed traveling, watching the Seahawks, and spending time with family, especially their two granddaughters, Vera and Juniper. Cookie was known for being an entertainer and having big holiday dinners for family, friends, and her student employees. No one EVER went hungry. Her favorite holiday was Christmas and she loved to decorate the home with an impressive variety of Santas. She also enjoyed playing cards with friends and hosting groups at her house to play Bunco or hand and foot. Cookie was a giving soul who valued helping those in need. For 30 years, she made sure that they adopted a family or two during the annual Christmas Basket Program.

She was preceded in death by her parents, half-brother Verlyn Brown, and brother Keith “Kip” Anderson. She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Brad, sister Bonnie Clapper, brother Dale (Marilyn) Anderson, her daughter Brooke, son Tyler, daughter Andrea (Johnny Jaramillo), her two granddaughters Vera and Juniper and her beloved Seahawks.

Her family would like to thank the kind and caring people at Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue, Kittitas Valley Healthcare, Virginia Mason, and Johnston & Williams Funeral Home. Memorial contributions in Cookie’s honor may be sent to F.I.S.H Food Bank, 804 Elmview Road, Ellensburg, Washington 98926.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg.  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com