Elgie Wahsise

ELGIE TEX WAHSISE “Tul-tim-sha” GRANGER—Elgie Tex Wahsise, God-given name “Tul-tim-sha”, passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday, October 12 in Granger. He now begins his long-awaited journey to rejoin his mother Nancy Pateets Yettona Wahsise and his sisters Minnie and Pauline Wahsise besides an older brother Johnny Wahsise, all of whom he was very lonely for. He was the last surviving immediate family member. Elgie was born at home in Satus, Washington on July 28, 1939 to Harry and Nancy Wahsise, the youngest male of his family. After the death of his father, his mother and sisters chose to keep a watchful and caring eye on their brother resulting in a family that had a very close relationship. They lived their entire lives in the Satus where Elgie continued to live by himself. After his health began to fail, he would spend nights with his brother John Carpenter. However, he would return to his own home each day. Elgie attended Granger High School and graduated in 1958 with his brother John. He remained a Spartan his entire life especially since he had never forgotten his football days on the Spartan team. Granger had only recently installed lights for night football. As a Spartan fan, he loved to attend football and basketball games up until the time he was unable to attend. Even with Elgie’s quiet nature, he was well-liked besides being well-known wherever he went. After high school, he began working in local hop yards as a tractor driver. He then was hired with the City of Granger where he worked for several years. He eventually left to work at Wapato Irrigation Project. He concluded his working days by working with Yakama Nation Forestry fighting fires and planting trees. He had to quit working in order to care for his ailing sister Pauline. They spent her last years together visiting Legends and Wildhorse Casinos, eating at the Heritage Restaurant and other local various eating establishments, traveling to the mountains to pick berries or cut wood. After he lost his sister, he still continued his favorite pastime of visiting Legends Casino where he won an occasional jackpot. Besides playing at Legends, this was also his place to meet friends and relatives to keep up on the latest happenings. Even to the end, he spent the prior day at Legends. He also drove himself to the mountains on this same day, which he did frequently. He loved the mountains, especially mushroom hunting. He loved hunting deer but ill-health forced him to resort to mushrooms and wood-cutting. Elgie was a avid sports fan. He looked forward to the Yakama Nation Basketball Tournament each year. He kept the souvenir programs for all the years he attended. Another event he loved was the Pendleton Round-up which he attended annually. He recently attended the 100th anniversary of the Round-up with special seats under the newly covered grandstand with his brother John. He wanted to watch his 14-year old granddaughter Brook John compete in the American Indian Beauty contest and ride into the rodeo arena on her horse. Last week he was able to watch another grandson Kanine John race in a high school cross country meet in Granger. He was so proud to see Kanine place first among all the runners. He loved the Seahawks and Mariners. He’d watch every game, but would sometimes turn the channel if they were losing, as they sometimes do. He loved all animals and took care of his cats at his home. He let the cats take care of the mice around his house. Elgie was raised in the traditional Yakama ways from the beginning and was of the Washat religion. He was a member of the Satus Longhouse. He rarely missed the first-traditional-food feasts. Elgie is survived by his brothers John Carpenter and Lehigh John, both from Granger. He is also survived by his close cousin Margaret Eli of Toppenish. Others survivors include many close and loved relatives from his mother’s and father’s side of the family. His special friends included the Carpenter families of Granger, David Lewis, Holt Brewer, and Leroy Howell. In his later years, Elgie’s special joy was attending birthdays, Thanksgivings and Christmas’ dinners at Lehigh’s home. Lehigh’s grown children Sydney, Shawn, Kevin, Lucy and Lehigh, John Jr. always looked forward to his attendance as part of the family. He was preceded in death by his parents; Minnie, Pauline and Johnny Wahsise; and two brothers who passed away at infancy. His special aunt Lucy Yettona John, cousins Cecelia Eli and Larry George also preceded him in death. These families were practically raised as one family. We know that everyone that knew Elgie will truly miss him, but accept the fact that it was time for his new journey to rejoin his loved ones already gone. Dressing services will be on Thursday, October 14 at 10:00 a.m. in Colonial Funeral Home Chapel. Following the dressing, he will be taken to the Satus Longhouse for overnight services. Concluding services and burial will be Friday, October 15 at sunrise at Beaver Cemetery.

Elgie Wahsise

July 28, 1939 - October 12, 2010

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Elgie Wahsise

July 28, 1939 - October 12, 2010

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