Joseph G. Kretschman

Joseph George “Joe” Kretschman, 86, longtime Cle Elum resident, passed away on October 24, 2024 in Palm Springs, California. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 8, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Cle Elum with burial to follow at Laurel Hill Memorial Park. Vigil & Rosary will be 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 7 also at St. John's.

Joe was born on December 29, 1937 in Prairie du Chein, Wisconsin to Joseph and Helen (Sawyer) Kretschman. The family moved to the Seattle area when Joe was a young boy and he attended Christ the King grade school and Seattle Preparatory High School, graduating in 1955. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California before being honorably discharged in 1958

In April 1961, Joe and Arlene Lannon were married at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ballard, Seattle, Washington. They made their home in the Seattle area until 1968 when Joe moved his family to Cle Elum and went into business for himself, starting his Cle Elum Plumbing service and later Cle Elum Freight. Joe was responsible for installing the water systems for Pineloch Sun and Wildwood, as well as numerous other projects in the greater Kittitas & King County areas. The freight business provided service throughout Kittitas County, the Columbia Basin and North Central Washington. 

Joe also enjoyed working with his team of draft horses on his farm, which was a passion that he carried from his early days as a child in Wisconsin. He loved being outside with his horses working the fields and making sure all his animals were well fed and taken care of. His love of agriculture and animals influenced some of his grandchildren’s career choices.

Joe loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them all. He especially loved it when they would all be together during the Christmas holidays with all the chaos. He was a hard worker and devout Catholic who instilled those qualities in his children. He will be missed by them all. 

Joe is survived by his wife Arlene; his six children, Julie (Gregg) DeRitis, Mary Kay Kretschman, Diane (Jeff) Ellersick, Kelly Buck, Tony Kretschman and Matthew Kretschman; ten grandchildren, Joseph DeRitis (Mandy), Daniel DeRitis (Kate), John Ellersick (Kailynn), Donald Ellersick (Maddie), Monica Buck, Travis Kretschman (Sydney), Tyler Kretschman (Haley), Tori Kretschman, Beau Kretschman and Maddie Kretschman as well as seven great grandchildren, Dahlila DeRitis, Barron DeRitis, Danica DeRitis, Brett Ellersick, Kassius Kretschman, Kaine Kretschman, and Knox Kretschman. 

Memorial contributions in Joe’s honor are suggested to St. John the Baptist Catholic Church or to the Cle Elum Volunteer Fire Department.

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