Zelda V. Newman

June 22, 1934 - May 11, 2018

Zelda (Sister) Newman went to be with the Lord on May 11, 2018. She was the mother to us all. She was born Zelda Virginia Heitzman on June 22, 1934 to Raleigh Jearl and Zelda Gustava (Pauling) Heitzman in El Reno, Ok. Along with her parents and 2 brothers, Dave A. and N. Jearl , the family moved to Granger in 1945 when she was 11 years old. She attended Granger schools through her junior year when she transferred to Sunnyside High School where she graduated in the class of 1952. After graduation she moved to California where she met and married Virgil E. Newman Sr., a WW II veteran, on February 22, 1953. They returned to the valley and settled in Toppenish to raise 4 sons. They belonged to the Calvary Baptist Church and enjoyed their Christian family activities. While the kids were young she worked part time weighing beets, assisting Virgil Sr. in his Farmers Insurance office and worked Thursdays at the Toppenish sales yard. Later she became the full time book keeper at the yard. Unfortunately there was a holiday party one year after the sale and she missed her youngest son’s first band concert. He was never the same after that point and made sure to let us know how scarred he was from that moment forward. After Virgil Sr. passed away unexpectedly in 1982, she took over his Farmers Insurance office full time until opening a Dairyland Insurance office in the same block. In 2002 she moved back to her childhood home in Granger finally retiring from insurance in 2008. Much of her enjoyment was raising her kids, creating family memories during weekends and holidays at the farm. Other highlights were the annual hunting and camping trips to Wahkiacus near Klickitat, 3 Creeks on Satus Pass and later snowmobiling with close friends. She enjoyed working on the Farm and loved being in the country. After returning to reside there in 2002, she jumped at every chance to get out on the tractor or irrigate. Later her grandchildren and great grandchildren were a focus of affection. In 2015 she began to volunteer at the Toppenish Visitors Center on Mondays with Bette Comer, who was a high school best friend of her beloved sister-in-law, Luster Owens- Heitzman (D). The two found a strong bond that gave her great deal of enjoyment and friendship that endured until the end. She loved the Granger all class reunion in recent years, enjoyed connecting with old friends, Friday night dinners with close family and connecting with her Christian family at the Calvary Bible Church on Sunday. She is survived by 4 sons, Virgil Edward Newman, Jr., Raleigh Harley Newman, Jearl (J.D.) Newman and Paul Wright Newman (Natalie), 3 Grandchildren, Virgil (Eddie) Newman III (Sandra), Jeffrey James Newman (Sarah) and Crysta Renee Newman-Cross (David), 6 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A special thanks to her personal physician, Jonathan Davenport (for the quality care, education and supporting her healthcare decisions), VM Memorial Hospital, Granger and Sunnyside Fire EMT’s (for their quick response and assistance). A special thanks to Astria Toppenish Hospital ED and ICU staff for the amazing care she received during her last days. Memorial Service will be held on June 22 at Calvary Bible Church Toppenish. If you feel led please donate in her memory to Calvary Bible roof fund or Charity of your choice.