Alice Eileen Vetter

Alice Eileen Vetter passed peacefully in her daughter's home on Monday, January 26, 2015.   Alice was born September 15, 1926 in Wapato, WA to Christ and Katherine Kehl.  She grew up in the farming community of White Swan, Washington attending a one room school house. She graduated with her class of 22 students in June 1944.  After graduation her family moved to Whatcom County where Alice began her first job at Bellingham National Bank in Bellingham.  Returning to Yakima, she worked her way up the business ladder at United Pacific Ins., Home Federal Savings & Loan and retiring as the first female Branch Manager of any bank, in Yakima at Great Western Savings.  She was a hard worker making sure the job was done the right way, whether it was canceling checks by hand, locking up the money at night, advising clients on the best investment options or safe guarding hard working customers’ life savings.  Most importantly she was an honest banker that put her customers above all else.  She was a member of Rosalmanac, Beta Sigma Phi, the Woman’s Century Club, PEO and the First Baptist Church for many years.  On October 11, 1947 she married Milbert Willis Vetter.  Together they're hard working efforts and devotion to each other lasted 67 years.  They had one child Rhonda (Rinn).  The light of her life was grandson, Aaron.  She and Mel took Aaron on many trips around Washington and spent as much time with him as they could.  Alice enjoyed golf with her husband and the many friends they knew and met at the Yakima Elks.  After golf her favorite pass time was playing bridge. She especially looked forward to the monthly luncheons with her graduating classmates of White Swan High School.  Cooking, sewing, knitting, gardening, and all things oriental were some of Alice's passions.  She was a stylish dresser that led to some modeling jobs later in life.  It did not matter what Alice did, she would always strive to do it the very best and look good while doing it.  Twelve years ago she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer but that never got her down, determined to do whatever it took to beat it back...and she did.  Then three years ago when the cancer returned, she beat that back too.  Alice always insisted that she would get through rehabilitation and come out stronger.  That will and determination was a strong potion that gave her a few more good years to spend with her family.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Christ and Katherine, sister Rosie and brother Edward.  She is survived by her husband Mel, brother Ted, daughter Rhonda (Tim), grandson Aaron (Billie) and great grandsons Reilly and Lincoln, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.  The family wishes to send a special thanks to the hard work and devotion of Whatcom County Hospice.  There will be a celebration of life, at the Yakima Arboretum, Friday, February 27, 2015 at 3:00 PM.  The family suggests memorial contributions be made to either the Yakima Arboretum or the Women’s Century Club.