COLLEGE PLACE, Wash. --- Zepha Rose Conner, 89, of College Place, Washington, formerly of Ten Sleep, passed away at the General Hospital March 5, 2005.

She was born Nov. 29, 1915 at Big Trails to Bert and Grace Ainsworth. Her first home was in a dugout on her parents' ranch until they built their cabin. She and her older brother, Clarence, attended a small country school in Big Trails through the tenth grade. Then Zepha cZepha Rose Conner, Obituary, Northern Wyoming Daily News, Worland, Wyoming, Saturday, March 12, 2005, page 2.

ontinued grades 11 and 12 by correspondence.

Zepha married George Rebedeaux June 5, 1935. Their joy was short lived because George died in the early fall of 1936. Zepha and her newborn son, Charles, lived with her parents until she married Joe Chamberlain Sept. 30, 1942. This marriage ended in divorce in 1948. On Dec. 17, 1949, Zepha married Earl L. Conner, a longtime friend who was also a widower with three small children.

They farmed and ranched on Earl's homestead in the Upper Nowood Valley until 1964, at which time they sold the ranch and moved to Gentry, Arkansas. While there, Zepha worked in a cabinet shop to help support the family while her younger children attended Ozark Academy. In 1972, Earl and Zepha moved to College Place. He wanted Zepha to be close to their older children already living there, as well as giving the younger ones an opportunity to attend college there, as he knew he did not have long to live.

Zepha foremost loved her Savior, which revealed itself in her love for her family. She was widely known for her friendly smile, evangelism roses. Quilt tops, crocheting, Bible studies, and many other investment projects. Her home with a park-like yard was also known for helping many college students with living accommodations. She ever demonstrated a loving, kind, and generous spirit.

Zepha was preceded in death by her brother and one granddaughter.

She is survived by her four sons, Roy Conner of Silverdale, Wash., Charles Chamberlain of College Place, Bill Chamberlain and Fred Conner, both of Walla Walla, Wash.; four daughters, Joy Russell of Lincoln, Neb., Gleora Manly of Belleview, Mo., Jean Cates of Walla Walla, and Rosa Gillham of College Place; 23 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held March 12 at 1 p.m. at the Ten Sleep Seventh-day Adventist Church with a graveside service following at the Ten Sleep Cemetery. On March 19, a sunset memorial service will be held at the Walla Walla Seventh-day Adventist Church at 6 p.m.

Contributions can be made to the Zepha R. Conner memorial at Gospel Outreach, 512 S. College Ave., College Place, WA 99324.