Henry 'Hank' Rittierodt

Henry “Hank” Rittierodt died December 29, 2009, in Spokane, WA at the age of 90. His loving daughter, Becky, was at his side. Hank was born in State Center, IA, on September 21, 1919, to Henry and Alvina Rittierodt. He joined sisters, Emma (Fred Hepperle) and Margaret (Howard Strode). As an infant, Hank survived the famous 1919 flu epidemic that had earlier claimed his father and a sister. The family moved to Loyalton, SD, where, in 1935, he graduated from high school. Hank met future wife, Dorothy Hoey in Yakima, WA and they were married on Valentine’s Day, 1942. Married 66 years, he and Dorothy raised a family; son, Michael and daughter, Becky. They lived in Moses Lake and Kennewick, before moving to Wenatchee to care for relatives. Later in life, the couple enjoyed traveling to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Europe, the Caribbean and, their favorite, Hawaii. Hank was a WWII Navy Veteran, serving at the Naval Air Station, Pasco and aboard ship in the South Pacific. A longtime resident of Kennewick, WA, he served his community in the Lion’s Club, Tri-City Country Club, the Elks, the Chamber of Commerce, the Transportation Club and Toastmasters. Living in Wenatchee, he enjoyed being a member of the Three Lakes Golf Club. He had a hole-in-one there and another while vacationing in Banff, Alberta, Canada. Hank was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He is survived by his daughter, Becky Woodruff of Cheney, WA; and grandsons, Cody and Tyson. He also has a special cousin, Jack Durrett and his wife, Betty, who recently moved to Vancouver, WA. Hank was preceded in death by his son, Michael, who died of cancer at the age of 26; his love and soul mate, Dorothy, who died just ten months ago. He requested No Funeral and to be buried beside Dorothy and Mike, in Kennewick. WA. Graveside Memorial will be held Friday, January 22, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. at Riverview Heights Cemetery, in Kennewick, WA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to any local animal shelter or rescue group. There are two Great Danes who sure miss their Grandpa. He always brought treats when he came to visit. Becky is forever grateful for the adventures they were able to share since her mother’s passing. A special thanks to Ernie for making the trip up the Palouse Falls Canyon a reality. Hank was a trooper, smiling the whole time, not easy, at 90 years old. He was diagnosed with cancer just 13 days before his death. He is loved and missed. Arrangements by Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee. Please express your thoughts and memories on the online guest book at

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Pompeo urges Europe's young democracies to embrace freedoms

PRAGUE (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Wednesday called upon the young democracies of central and Eastern Europe to embrace their hard-won freedoms as they face threats from Russia, China and others while seeing backsliding closer to home, including in Belarus.

Virgil Lee Unruh, 88

Virgil Lee Unruh, 88, passed away at his Moyie Springs area home on June 21, 2010.

Youths learn kayak skills at special academy

A Michigan transplant to Northwest Montana, Paul Moffatt said it was “trial by fire” when he first started learning to kayak.

EXPLAINER: Why is media access at the border an issue?

NEW YORK (AP) — Access to government-run facilities housing young immigrants on the border with Mexico has caused one of the first tussles between news organizations and the two-month-old administration of Joe Biden. Before the doors opened slightly this week, the media was limited in depicting how people in U.S. custody were being treated, and how that compared to what was done in the Trump years.

EXPLAINER: Why is media access at the border an issue?

NEW YORK (AP) — Access to government-run facilities housing young immigrants on the border with Mexico has caused one of the first tussles between news organizations and the two-month-old administration of Joe Biden. Before the doors opened slightly this week, the media was limited in depicting how people in U.S. custody were being treated, and how that compared to what was done in the Trump years.

EXPLAINER: Why is media access at the border an issue?

NEW YORK (AP) — Access to government-run facilities housing young immigrants on the border with Mexico has caused one of the first tussles between news organizations and the two-month-old administration of Joe Biden. Before the doors opened slightly this week, the media was limited in depicting how people in U.S. custody were being treated, and how that compared to what was done in the Trump years.

EXPLAINER: Why is media access at the border an issue?

NEW YORK (AP) — Access to government-run facilities housing young immigrants on the border with Mexico has caused one of the first tussles between news organizations and the two-month-old administration of Joe Biden. Before the doors opened slightly this week, the media was limited in depicting how people in U.S. custody were being treated, and how that compared to what was done in the Trump years.

Your phone will tell on you

Ask the Propellorheads

Dear PropellerHeads: So, I told my parents I was at my friend's house studying. Next thing I know they show up at the club where I'm chilling. I am in big trouble. How did they do that?

Wine Camp 2015: Part 1

We just returned from our Wine Camp 2015 trip, and what a grand time we had. This year, 29 friends who also happen to be customers traveled with us to Walla Walla for two days of all things wine. We visited (what were for us) new wineries and also spent time with old friends. For the two nights we stayed with our good friends at the Marcus Whitman downtown. As always, the hotel did a fabulous job of hosting our large group, we highly recommend it as a place to stay when touring Washington wine country.

Airport launches initial phase of master plan

HAYDEN — Konrad Larson is OK with the amount of airport noise he hears at his house each day.

Darrel C. Kirking, 61

Darrel Kirking, 61, of Post Falls, passed away January 9, 2014, from a tragic car accident, and is with his loving Lord.

Stopping the summer slide

Libraries encouraging children to keep reading during the summer months

Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness heads into 2021

But challenges and change has helped Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness grow.

Interactive exhibit a precursor to permanent facility

Next month marks the opening of the Glacier Children’s Museum first established exhibit in Kalispell as the Museum at Central School hosts the six-month educational display centered on the effects of fire on the Flathead.

Hunters warned about encounters with bruins

Bear aware

Bear interactions have been on the rise in Western Montana, with reports of bears popping up in houses, on highways, at fishing access sites and even wandering the halls of Bozeman High School.

Louanne Jo Daarstad

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Movers & Shakers March 4, 2010

Benefits firm offers help to employers

Biking adventure not to be repeated

It was a long wait, but summer arrived just in time for a stellar Independence Day weekend. With family visiting we did what many of us do: become tourists, or at least tour guides.