Eleanor Kiner passed away with her family by her side on Friday, July 9, 2010 at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, Wash. She was unable to recover from injuries she received due to a fall. Her bright blue eyes and beautiful smile will be terribly missed.
Eleanor was born in Cheney, Wash. on Feb. 28, 1923 to Walter and Henrietta Rupp. She was the second of four children. After graduating high school she attended St. Luke's Nursing School in Spokane but had to leave after one year due to illness.
In 1945 Eleanor married cattle rancher Max Kiner and moved to the KII Stock Ranch South of Almira, Wash. Max and Eleanor welcomed their son Rex in the summer of 1946. With their innovative ideas they led the KII to receive many local, state and national awards. She found time to become a freelance writer and photographer. Her photographs and articles on ranching and wildlife appeared in a number of magazines.
She was also active in organizations dealing with agriculture including a program called “Ag in the Classroom.” She and other members of their organization would go to schools throughout the state to teach the students about agriculture, ranching and food safety. She also served as president of the Washington Cattlewomen's Association.
Eleanor loved to travel the states and abroad or just go for a walk or horseback ride on her beloved ranch. She found beauty in the smallest plant, lichen and rock formation. Eleanor was always in search of the perfect photograph.
In December 2009, Eleanor moved from the KII Stock Ranch to an assisted living apartment in Redmond to be closer to her family. During the eight months she lived in Redmond she made several friends and had new experiences.
Eleanor is survived by her son Rex and daughter-in-law Ellyn of Redmond; three granddaughters, Kristine (Mueller), Karin (Sears) and Brianne Kiner, and five beautiful great grandchildren: Tayah, Tabitha, Sydney, Dylan and Cora Jeanne. She is also survived by three siblings: Betty Labish of Medical Lake; Dorothy Burkhart of Tualatin, Ore. and Harvey Rupp of Milwaukee, Ore., and her dear friend and companion Fred Alderson of Spokane.
There will be a “Celebration of Life” and lunch at the Almira Community Center on July 31 at 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
“In lieu of flowers the family asks that you make contributions to the Almira Fire Department or the Corinna Felker Drive Fore Cancer Foundation.”
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