In Loving Memory of

Clifford & Dorothy Wasem

Clifford and Dorothy Wasem went to be with the Lord together on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009, after more than 56 years of marriage.

The couple died in an accident en route to a week of skiing in McCall. They are remembered by their daughters, Anne and Jeff Ogard of Poulsbo, Wash., and Katie Wasem of Silverdale, Wash.; their sons, Rick Wasem and wife, Chris Schmidt, and Jon Wasem, all of Clarkston; and four grandchildren, Merrilee Ogard, Matthew Ogard, Jonathon Wasem and Stephen Wasem; as well as Cliff's sister and lifelong best friend, Janet Burke.

Dorothy, 83, was a devout mother, appreciator of music and avid gardener and homemaker. She loved going to the woods to pick mushrooms, explore and enjoy the fresh air. Her yard was featured on the Dogwood Festival tour numerous times. A strong believer in God, Dorothy was active in her church and a longtime member of the P.E.O. sisterhood. And as her family and friends will attest, Dorothy had a way with desserts. She enjoyed taking cookies and sweets to friends and neighbors, even into her 80s. A friend to all of God's creatures, she looked out for the hungry birds and squirrels in her yard with plenty of food during the winter months. She was deeply involved with the Red Cross for many years.

Dorothy Ellen Farthling was born in Rocky Canyon, on the Salmon River, on March 11, 1925, and raised by her parents, Stephen and Virginia Farthling, in Cottonwood. She was the valedictorian of her high school class, and studied at Whitworth College in Spokane and Lewis-Clark College in Lewiston, earning a degree in teaching. She caught the eye of a quirky and energetic young man named Cliff Wasem while she was working at Hirzel's Music Store in Lewiston.

Clifford Weldon Wasem, 80, was born to Weldon and Laura Wasem on (appropriately) Flag Day, June 14, 1928, in Clarkston. He was an Eagle Scout, president of his high school class, played clarinet in band, was on the tennis team, and graduated from Clarkston High School in 1946. He earned his commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force upon graduating from Washington State College School of Pharmacy in 1952 as a member of the Air Force ROTC, and Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity's graduate of the year. A lifelong musician, Cliff parlayed his time in the Bantams' band to years with the WSC marching band, the ROTC band, the Elks Lodge band, and the Shriners' Band.

Along with his father before him, and sons currently, Cliff owned and operated Wasem's Drug in Clarkston. Cliff was active in many national and local organizations. He was a national council member of the John Birch Society, and gave many hours raising funds for the Shriners Hospital for Children. Perhaps above all other extracurricular activities, Cliff was a Cougar, and indoctrinated all his children as well. Even in the worst of times, Cliff stood by his team. But, when he finally saw his Cougs make the Rose Bowl in 1998, he was on top of the world. In 1995, he was one of five finalists for WAZZU Dad of the Year.

Cliff served as a scoutmaster, on the Clarkston City Council, as mayor, state legislator, treasurer of Tri-State Memorial Hospital and Calam Temple and Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year in 1964 and 1977. A man of conviction, he always had the courage to stand up for what he believed in. (You may have seen his "Get Us Out of the United Nations" sign in downtown Lewiston.) His generosity was felt by many. In addition to being a regular supporter of his beloved WSU fraternity, people who were down on their luck would come to him for $5 or $10 for "food" and he always listened to the story and asked them to promise they would spend it on appropriate sustenance. He believed in God, the sovereignty of the United States, the limitation of government and more individual responsibility. He invested significant time and energy providing educational programs and material to the public. He loved his family, friends and his "granddog" Bozley, who always showed Cliff his admiration with a frenzy of activity, slobber and bizarre noises. Cliff and Dorothy were world travelers, whose journeys took them to Europe, North Africa, Brazil, Mexico, and even a cruise through the Panama Canal.

Cliff was also an avid skier who braved slopes all around the Northwest, Utah and Montana. Along the way, he taught all his children and grandchildren the sport. He and Dorothy were on their way to ski in McCall when they died.

On the morning of Jan. 4, Cliff and Dorothy met with family for breakfast. Cliff, of course, discussed politics and passed along some John Birch Society DVDs. Dorothy spoke fondly of the holidays with friends and family, capped off with New Year's Eve at the Clarkston Country Club, where they were longtime members. Then, after they finished their breakfast and coffee, the couple attended their beloved Harvest Christian Fellowship before their trip to McCall. Indeed, their final day was spent not unlike any other: surrounded by family, their community, and enjoying the wonderful gifts of the Lord.

Memorials may be sent to Shriners Hospitals, P.O. Box 2472, Spokane, WA 99210; and Vineland Cemetery, 1141 Vineland Drive, Clarkston, WA 99403.