Jan. 2, 1918-May 11, 2003

WALLA WALLA – Frances Henrietta Rockwell, 85, of Walla Walla, died Sunday, May 11, 2003, at the Washington Odd Fellows Home.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. today at Bethel Assembly of God Church, 342 S. Wilbur in Walla Walla. Private family interment was Friday at Olney Cemetery in Pendleton.

Mrs. Rockwell was born Jan. 2, 1918, at Ewart, Iowa, to Cornelius and Agnes Rhoads Steck.

She graduated from high school at Monticello, Iowa, in 1935, then attended Koe College for two years. She later moved to Walla Walla where she worked as a doctor’s receptionist. She met Robert W. Rockwell of Pilot Rock, whom she married on Feb. 27, 1948, at Walla Walla. They moved to Pilot Rock where they built and owned the Chevron Station until 1956, when they sold the business and moved to Portland, to enable their children to attend a Christian school. Mrs. Rockwell took an active part in raising her children by volunteering at the schools and church they attended.

In 1963, the family moved to Hermiston where they farmed. In 1965, they moved to Dale, where Mr. Rockwell was employed in the lumber industry. In 1970, he transferred to the Walla Walla lumber mill.

Mrs. Rockwell was involved with her church, Aglow ministries, gardening, had a Shaklee distributorship and enjoyed camping. She also loved to share the harvest from her garden with her friends.

Survivors include daughters, Elizabeth Rockwell of Richfield, Wash., and Margaret Rockwell of Gresham; sons, Robert Jr. of Vernonia, John of Kennewick, Samuel of Portland and Daniel of Walla Walla; and a grandson, Joel, of Kennewick. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Deborah; by her parents; and her husband of 48 years.

Memorial contributions may be made to Aglow Women’s Ministries or the Washington Odd Fellows Endowment Fund through Herring Funeral Home, 315 W. Alder, Walla Walla, WA 99362-2870.