Lifelong Grays Harbor resident Annie Katherine McGarrah, age 96, passed away on March 19, 2024, in her Montesano home. Annie was born July 4, 1927, on her parents’ farm on Bulb Farm Road in Elma. Her parents Carl and Katri Husko had immigrated from Finland in 1910 and settled in Elma where they started West Elma Dairy. Annie graduated from Hunter’s Prairie School, Elma High School (1944), Grays Harbor Junior College, and attended Washington State University.
Annie married Stanley Howard McGarrah on August 6, 1949, at the Finnish Lutheran Church in Aberdeen. They celebrated their Golden wedding anniversary in 1999 by repeating their marriage vows in the presence of family and friends. Stanley died in 2004.
Annie delivered milk during high school for her parents at West Elma Dairy. Her first job in the outside world was during high school afternoons for attorney John L. Miller, in Elma. She worked part time during college for the old Rainier National Bank in Aberdeen; later, for Hobson Bros Motors, Acme Door of Hoquiam, Elma Motors, Ideal Equipment, Montesano Insurance Agency, and retired as office manager at Whitney’s Inc.
Annie enjoyed her family as it grew over the years. She was proud of her Finnish heritage and shepherded her six children to services at the Finnish church. The family also attended Faith Lutheran Church in Elma, which was built by her husband Stanley. Annie researched her genealogy and visited relatives in Finland in 1976 and 1991. She enjoyed corresponding with relatives in her first language, Finnish. She was an avid reader, and loved the music that often filled the house. Everyone who knew Annie could never forget her sparkling blue eyes and radiant smile.
Survivors include three sons, Terry (Alice) of Montesano, Michael of Olympia, and Patrick (Shannon) of Salem, Oregon; one daughter Kathryn McGarrah (John P. Wilson) of Placitas, New Mexico; seventeen grandchildren, twenty-one great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and numerous cousins in Finland. Daughter Patricia died in 1975, daughter Karen Kingery died in 2023, grandson Michah died in 2010, and brother Arthur Husko died in 1999.
Annie will rest next to her husband Stanley and daughter Patricia in the Wynoochee Cemetery, 1426 Pioneer Avenue W., Montesano. A graveside service will take place April 4 at 11 a.m., immediately followed by a lunch reception and Celebration of Life at the Montesano Church of God, 317 E. Spruce Avenue in Montesano.
Arrangements are by Harrison Family Mortuary. To share memories please visit www.harrisonfamilymortuary.com
