April 21, 1929-March 6, 2005

AUBURN, Wash. – Former longtime Pendleton resident Fred “Red” Murtishaw, 75, of Auburn, Wash., died Sunday, March 6, 2005, at his home.

A graveside service for Mr. Murtishaw will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, March 11, at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Wash. Viewing will be Thursday from 5-8 p.m., at Klontz Funeral Home, 410 Auburn Way N., Auburn, WA 98002.

Mr. Murtishaw was born April 21, 1929, at Hot Springs, S.D. to Fred James and Ruth May Murtishaw. Much of his youth was spent at Hillsboro.

He served with the U.S. Air Force from 1946 to 1949 and participated in Berlin airlift operations.

Mr. Murtishaw was a long time Pendleton resident. He moved from Pendleton in 1967. He retired in 1991 from the Federal Aviation Administration after 27 years of government service.

He was a member of the White River Valley Post 1741 Veterans of Foreign Wars.

In his early years Mr. Murtishaw was an avid hunter, fisherman, and boater. In later years he enjoyed doing genealogy. His greatest joy was his family. He enjoyed spending time with them on the property on Hood Canal and traveling in their motor home.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Edna Murtishaw, of Auburn; his sister, Donna Humbert of Sandy; and his children, Victoria Schwennsen of Seattle, and Marty Murtishaw of Pendleton; and granddaughters, Charlotte Schwennsen and Elaina Schwennsen of Seattle.

Friends and family are invited to share memories and sign the online guest book at www.klontzfuneralhome.com. Klontz Funeral Home of Auburn is in charge of arrangements.