Myrtle Mae (Mueller) Powers

Myrtle Mae (Mueller) Powers was born in her home on the family homestead at the end of the Oregon Trail, outside Oregon City, on Nov. 28, 1921. She passed away Aug. 22, 2017.

As a young child, Myrtle helped work the family farm and prepare meals for the large family, enduring the hardships of the Great Depression. Myrtle always aspired to be a teacher, and she received her teaching degree from Oregon College of Education at the age of 20.

Myrtle taught for two years and eventually joined the U.S. Marines and was stationed in Santa Barbara, Calif. It was there that she met Walter Lee Powers, and the two were married in December 1946. They had three boys: Wally, Jim and Tom. They moved to Cheney following a couple years teaching in Portland, Ore.

Myrtle was a second and third-grade teacher at Betz Elementary and Walt was a professor at Eastern Washington University. In retirement, Walter and Myrtle spent winters in Hawaii at their condo, summers at the cabin in Priest Lake and the rest of the time in Cheney, close to family.

Walter and Myrtle became close with the congregations at the United Church of Christ in Cheney and the Central Union Church in Honolulu. Myrtle had unwavering devotion and faith in God, praying continually as she lived each day.

Myrtle felt that the word of God was best spread by emulating the example of Christ; simply and uncomplicated: Love, forgiveness, faith and comfort in Christ.

Myrtle was preceded in death by six siblings and her sons Wally and Jim. She is survived by her loving husband Walt (age 92) and her son Tom. Also, by Tom's loving family, wife Jeanne, grandchildren Tab, Dulcy, Melony, Zach and Anna. This family, the five great-grandchildren, and the two great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, Sept. 3, at 2 p.m. at the Walt and Myrtle Powers Reading Room, located on the second floor of Hargraves Hall at EWU. Memorials can be made to: Powers' Scholarship Fund, EWU Foundation, Eastern Washington University, Cheney, WA 99004. Cheney Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Visit the online guestbook at cheneyfuneral.com.