Obituary of Eileen M. Inman

Eileen M. Inman, age 93, died of natural causes at her home in Olympia on Monday, May 20, 2013. She was born January 25, 1920 in Bakersfield, California to Robert S. and Lucy Ann Sparling. Eileen lived most of her childhood in the Alki Beach area of Seattle where she had fond memories of the waterfront and a favorite ice cream store. From the larger city of Seattle, as a young woman in high school, she was perhaps a little less than enthusiastic about a move to the rural town of Yelm, to a large farm, with her parents and her two sisters. She was attentive to her studies at Yelm High School where she graduated in 1939 as salutatorian of her class. In addition to her responsibilities at home and around the large farm, she also worked for neighboring berry, bean and bulb farmers. She was good at these jobs and, until only a few years ago, could still pick berries as fast as any of us. Eileen attended Business College and trained in secretarial and bookkeeping. She used these skills in various jobs over the years, including work at a large auto dealership in Olympia, the office of Civil Defense, the Washington State Welfare Department and then for years to help with the books for the grocery store she ran with her husband. On June 21, 1940, Eileen married her high school sweetheart, Clarence Inman, at the Yelm Methodist Church. He was drafted in 1942. She moved with him to Texas until he had to go overseas. At that time, she moved to Olympia to work until his return. When he returned and obtained work with Safeway stores, they moved to Lynden, Washington where their daughter, Janice, and son, Jerry, were born. They lived in Lynden until 1952. Once back in Olympia, Eileen’s attention was focused primarily on raising her children, working only occasionally for Civil Defense and more regularly in their store, the North Street Grocery. She was active in the First United Methodist Church, including teaching 4thgrade Sunday School for years, United Methodist Women Miriam Circle, and many activities over the years. She was a lay visitor who would regularly visit those members who were shut in and could no longer get to church. She was always baking something that was “going to the church” for a bake sale, refreshments for a meeting, the annual bazaar, or someone’s memorial service. Sometimes we wished those goodies were staying at home! We remember our growing up years with such great fondness, raised in our West Side home full of love. We think of it as “Dad’s store and Mom’s home,” but the two of them shared everything they did and every decision. Mom’s yard was beautiful. It was full of flowers, just like her mother’s. And she never tired of tending to her vegetables that she tucked in and around all the flowers, and her prized raspberry bushes. She was forever on insect and slug patrol! Mom sewed for both of us, and for her grandchildren when they came along. We both had pajamas and later corduroy pull on “slacks” that were all made from the same pattern. Mom grew up during the Depression and knew how to “use it up, wear it out, make do, or do without.” We always had everything we needed and most of what we wanted, but we were always to know that nothing was to be wasted. In addition to her activities with the church, Eileen was also a member of Lucile Halgren Guild, Seattle Children’s Hospital. She enjoyed the women in her group and the work they did to raise funds for the hospital for children without funds for care. In their retirement, Mom and Dad enjoyed road trips with their pick-up and camper, visiting many state and federal campgrounds throughout the Western and Southwestern states. Each year one could predict where they’d be when the little wild huckleberries were ripe in the mountains. We have been so lucky to have Mom be an active part of our lives for 93 years. We have all lived in close proximity and shared everyday experiences, as well as all the holidays and birthdays. She will be missed more than she ever could have imagined, but we are happy that she is once again with Dad and her sister, both of whom she missed so much. She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Roberta Longmire; her husband of 53 years, Clarence Inman; and her son-in-law, Don Larsen. She is survived by one sister, Jean Griffin of Centralia; her children, Jerry (Diane) Inman and Janice Larsen, all of Olympia; 3 grandchildren, Mark (Heather) Larsen of Vancouver, WA, Laura Eileen Larsen of Olympia and Stephanie (Brad) Benfield of Olympia; 2 great grandchildren, Cooper and Nate Benfield of Olympia; and many nieces and nephews. We extend such gratitude to loving caregivers she has had in the past few years. Donations may be made to the First United Methodist Church. Please leave memories of Eileen or condolences for the family in the Guestbook below.