Rita M. Cordrey

A longtime local resident, Rita Cordrey, 94, passed away on August 25, 2026 from injuries sustained in a fall. She was born February 12, 1932, in Garrison, North Dakota, to Henry and Loretta Michels. Rita married her high school sweetheart, John Cordrey, on February 4, 1951 in Kelso, WA. Together they had 5 children. The family moved many times following John’s work in the timber industry, which led them to Plum Creek Lumber Co. in Arden, WA, in 1977. 

Rita loved life and never met a stranger. She was a woman of deep faith and a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. She belonged to the Library Improvement Club, Panorama Gem & Mineral Club, Arden Homemakers, Eagles Auxiliary #2797, and Colville Community Center (The Hub). For many years she was in charge of the flower department at the NEWA fair. 

She volunteered at the Stevens County Historical Society Museum. She led a water aerobics class at the pool at Benny’s Colville Inn for many years. She was an avid reader and gardener; a dedicated walker who completed 21 Bloomsday races; and a quilter. She was a rockhound who also enjoyed gold panning and spent many years digging for dinosaur fossils at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. 

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, son Chris, grandson Reuben, and brother Ken Michels. Rita is survived by her sisters Darlene Goodman and Marie LaFave, brother Harley (Carol) Michels, son Tom (Vicki) Cordrey, daughters Susan Davis, Holly (Roger) Larsen, and Katy Cordrey (Dave DeFelice); grandson Louis Pardini, granddaughters Mary (Cole) Easterday and Amber Todd, (7) great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. A Rosary will be held for Rita M. Cordrey at The Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colville, Washington, on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. 

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Colville with graveside committal to follow at Mountain View Park Cemetery in Colville. A luncheon will follow at the Hub Senior Center in Colville. Memorial contributions may be given to the Mount Carmel Hospital Auxiliary, Colville Senior Center (The Hub) or the Stevens County Historical Society Museum. Please visit the online memorial and sign the guestbook at www. danekasfuneralchapel.com. Danekas Funeral Chapel and Crematory is entrusted with arrangements.