Andrew Mittelstaedt

Andrew “Andy” Mittelstaedt, 95, of East Wenatchee, WA, went to be with his Lord on October 5, 2016. Andrew died at home, Bonaventure of East Wenatchee, with family at his side. Andrew Witten Mittelstaedt was born Feb. 4, 1921, in Douglas, WA, to Margaret (Witten) Mittelstaedt and Theadore Mittelstaedt at the Witten homestead. He was the oldest of 12 children. Andy attended the Douglas two-room school through eighth grade, graduating from Waterville High School in 1939. He attended Washington State College as an agriculture student. Andrew was a member of the WSC AGR house. Andy supported his education by delivering laundry door to door. He returned to Douglas after two years of college to work the land as a dry land farmer for his parents’ growing family. Andrew married classmate, Lillian F. Viebrock, at the Viebrock family home on Badger Mountain in 1943. Andrew became a dry land wheat farmer in Douglas County. He and Lillian were members of the Grange, and the Douglas County Soil Conservation District. In 1951, he was honored as the Do. Co. Soil Conservation District, Farmer of the Year. The Mittelstaedts’ were Douglas Lutheran Church members which Andrews’ grandfather co-founded in the late 1800’s. Dennis, their first child, was born in 1945, followed by daughters Carol in 1948, and Colleen 1955. They continued farm life through 1955. In 1956 Andrew’s family ventured into sole proprietorship of the Western Auto Store in Omak, WA. Andrew, with Lillian at his side, grew the business. This was a life-long dream fulfilled. The children were raised with a hard work ethic: first work together, then play together. Andrew was honored in business by earning trips to locations such as Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Spain, the Florida Keys from the Western Auto Company. He was a member of the Western Auto Million Dollar Club. Andrew was active in the community. He had memberships in the Omak Chamber of Commerce, Omak Stampede Board and Omak First Presbyterian Church where he was an elder, Sunday school teacher, on pastor selection committees, etc. The Mittelstaedts’ were committed to family, community and church life in Omak. In 1966-67, Andrew bought the Brewster Western Auto store. Son, Dennis Mittelstaedt, managed the Omak store, while Andy commuted to Brewster. In 1975, Andrew and Lillian moved to Brewster due to fuel prices. During this period, the Mittelstaedts’ were members of the Brewster Community Log Church, serving in similar capacities as in the Omak church. Andy was an active member of the Brewster Chamber of Commerce and was selected as their 1987 Citizen of the Year. This also was the year of his retirement. In the late 1980’s, the Mittelstaedts’ moved to Spokane due to Lillian’s healthcare needs. Andrew was her helpmate during this time, serving lovingly and conscientiously. Lillian died in 1992. This was just shy of their 50th wedding anniversary. As an avid traveler, Andrew’s lifetime of learning continued through each adventure. When exploring New Zealand, Andrew met and later married, Helen Frieburg of California in 1993. They shared time between family in California and Warm Beach Senior Community of Stanwood, WA (an affiliate of Free Methodist Church). Andrew was a philanthropist, supporting college students, disadvantaged youth at Alpine Boys Ranch, international missions, Warm Beach Youth Camp, and gave of his time annually serving on missions to Mexico with Helen. Helen’s declining health resulted in their move to Bonaventure of East Wenatchee, WA. Andrew lovingly provided care for Helen until her death in 2014. They were married nearly twenty years. Our dad, Andrew ‘Andy’ Mittelstaedt, was surrounded by his loving family when he went to be with his Lord on Oct. 5, 2016. Preceding Andrew in death were his parents; and siblings: baby Elsie, Alfred (Helen Peterson), Richard, Sharon, and Robert (Sylvia). Surviving are three children: Dennis Mittelstaedt (Iris), Carol Miller (Joe), Colleen Parks (Dennis); grandchildren: Aaron (Leticia), Gabriel (Julie), Andy; and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving are Andrew’s siblings: Marie Nunn (Herb), Jeanette Witter (Espey ‘Bud’), Clarice Ludeman (Marvin), Eva Williams (Bill) Dan Mittelstaedt (Karen), and Arnold Mittelstaedt (Mina); 22 nieces and nephews. A special ‘thank you’ for loving and thorough care provided by Hospice Services of Confluence Health and Bonaventure Assisted Living of East Wenatchee, WA. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, October 22, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at Wenatchee City Cemetery, followed by celebration lunch reception at Wenatchee Valley Senior Center, 1312 Maple St., Wenatchee, WA, at 11:15 a.m. Please dress comfortably. Arrangements are by Telford’s Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee, WA.