Patti Ann Nicholson

Patti Ann Nicholson, 83, lifetime resident of South Cle Elum, passed away at her daughter’s home in Ellensburg on Monday, August 10, 2021.  A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 21, 2021 at Laurel Hill Memorial Park in Cle Elum with a Celebration of Life potluck reception to follow at the Hawthorne Hall in Ronald.

Patti was born on March 11, 1938 in South Cle Elum, the youngest of three daughters born to Herbert & Lala (Groeschell) Dugan.  She often recounted that she was “born in a boxcar” and delivered by her grandmother.  Patti grew up in South Cle Elum and attended all of her schooling in Cle Elum, graduating from Cle Elum High School in 1956.  While in school, Patti played in the band and was a member of the pep squad. Her passion for supporting the Cle Elum Warriors continued throughout her life, with Gramma Pat being found at center court or field of nearly every game.

Patti met Robert Harold Nicholson at a community dance and they married on November 24, 1956. Following their marriage, Patti was primarily a homemaker, raising their two daughters - Stacey and Kelly - and later her twin grandsons, Kyle & Kevin. After “Pop” passed away in 1993, Patti went to work for the Cle Elum-Roslyn School District as a paraprofessional, helping children around the district learn to read.  She retired from the school district after 20-plus years of service.

Patti loved to spend time in her flower gardens, mowing the lawn, doing crosswords, reading and watching John Wayne movies.  She loved to cook for her family and will be fondly remembered by her family and the community for her orange jello salad, pigs in a blanket, potato salad and banana cream pie.  She also loved to iron and, even after her grandsons were grown and married, she’d still tell them to “bring your shirts by and I’ll iron them for you.”

Family and community were of the utmost importance to Patti and rarely was there ever a school event - from band concerts to sporting events and all things in between - that she wouldn’t be seen at.  She was also an avid community volunteer, serving on the Pioneer Days Committee, the Pioneer Queen Coronation Committee, Sons of Italy and the Heritage Club.  She and Robert were also founding members of the Snomads snowmobile club.  More recently, Patti could be found having coffee with the ladies at their Tuesday coffee group or tea parties with her great-grandchildren.

Patti is survived by her sister Glenda “Midge” Bryant of Prosser; daughters Stacey (Agustin) Baskaran of Sequim and Kelly (Ken) Beedle of Ellensburg; grandchildren Kyle (Lacey) Nicholson and Kevin (Angelina) Nicholson of Cle Elum; Jessica Baskaran of Sequim; Kandice (Bryan) Halferty of Tacoma; Kortni (Brian) Stowe, Kameron Beedle and Kolette Beedle (Tiffany Platte), all of Ellensburg; great-grandchildren Brody, Sofia, Charlie, Aubrey, Bella, Zoey,, Riley, Jocelyn, Soren, Emmy, Harper and Robert as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Robert; sister Gloria “Cissy” Petersen; step-son Thomas Nicholson and nephew Todd Hill.

Memorial contributions in Patti’s honor are suggested to the Cle Elum Warrior Boosters, P.O. Box 73 South Cle Elum, WA 98943.   Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Patti and her family.  Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com