Maretta Eleanor Azeltine Obituary (1938 - 2023)

Maretta Eleanor Azeltine, 85, of Chehalis, Washington passed away peacefully on Christmas morning. Maretta was born on March 15, 1938, in Kansas City, Missouri to David E. Holmes and Louisa E. Scobee. She was one of eleven children. At a young age her family boarded a train to head west and settled in Raymond, Washington. After graduating from Raymond High School, she began working for the phone company as a telephone operator. While attending high school, she met the love of her life, Earl Lee Azeltine. After three years of dating they married on June 14, 1958, and moved to Seattle, Washington so Earl could finish his education at the University of Washington. After college, they moved several times to settle in Chehalis, Washington. Once in Chehalis, Maretta immersed herself in the community. She became involved in anything that had to do with her children and family. She was involved in the schools PTA, Little League organizations, softball, grange, and 4-H. She began working for the Chehalis School District as a cook. She is remembered by many as the "Lunch Lady" or as "Mom". Others remember her in the stands at school events or sporting events supporting not only her children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren, but all the kids participating. She welcomed everyone into her home and family. She was a constant cheerleader and supporter. Maretta loved to be outside working in her garden or sitting on her porch waving at anyone who passed by. She also loved to sew, knit, crochet, and read. She valued her 50 plus years of membership in the Newaukum grange and Rebekahs. Later in life she began painting ceramics, where she formed a special friendship that continued to her last day. Maretta is survived by her children Earl (Sari) Azeltine, Steven (Patty) Azeltine, Terri (Tyler) Solt, Tonya (Bradley) Todd and Brandi Holmes. She had 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews who share in this loss. She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Earl, her parents, three brothers, two sisters and a grandson. A visitation will be held at Newell-Hoerlings Mortuary Friday January 12, 2024, from 10am to 1pm, with graveside service at Claquato Cemetery, at 2pm. The family invites you to a celebration of life service and reception on Saturday, January 13th, at Newaukum Grange Hall at 1pm.