Walking On: Carl E. Lambert, Ann Etoile Ritchey, Wendell Keith Olson

Carl E. Lambert

July 17, 1928 – March 13, 2023

Tribal spouse Carl E. Lambert, a resident of Grand Ronde, passed away on Monday, March 13, 2023, in the comfort of his home. He was born on July 17, 1928, in Salem, Ore., and was the son of David and Mable (Harold) Lambert.

He was retired from the U.S. Air Force. During his 20-year career, he served in security police, earning numerous marksman awards and trophies. After leaving the service, Carl became involved in local military organizations such as becoming a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Willamina, American Legion, a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Honor Guard and he was the AMVETS state commander at one point and had founded the AMVETS Post 2000 in the year 2000.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 62 years, Betty Smith Lambert, and daughter, Norma Crites.

Carl is survived by his four children, Gary Lambert, Suzanne Epling, Duane Lambert and Marcia Lambert.

A memorial service was held at the Grand Ronde Church of the Nazarene, 8775 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, Ore., on Saturday, March 25, with a reception that followed. He was laid to rest at Grand Ronde Cemetery.

Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center is caring for the family.

Ann Etoile Ritchey

June 20, 1947 – Jan. 17, 2023

Tribal Elder Ann Etoile Ritchey, a resident of Olympia, Wash., walked on Jan. 17, 2023, at her home.

She was born June 20, 1947, in Salem, Ore., the daughter of Emma (Riggs) Summerlin and Francis C. Ritchey. Her maternal grandparents were Andrew and Amanda Riggs.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Tyrone Ritchey. She is survived by her five children, Delight Etoile Satter and her husband Dr. Luis Pena of Decatur, Ga., Julius Ritchey Satter and his wife Dr. Rebecca (Smith) Satter of Tucson, Ariz., Alby Andrew Satter of Tacoma, Wash., Gabriel Colin Satter and his partner Pon Xayavong of Tacoma and Kass Ritchey and his partner Mel Bayness of Olympia; her beloved grandchildren, Molli, Christopher, Gavin, Callie, Ray, James, Beau, Karson and Charlotte; two great-grandchildren, Haven and Kiona; and many extended family, tillicum, students, colleagues and friends.

Ann was a mother, poet, storyteller, educator and fierce advocate of students and faculty/staff of color. After many years as a homemaker, she earned an associate of science degree from Fort Steilacoom Community College (now Pierce College) and bachelor of science degree from Evergreen State College. She then returned to Pierce College serving students as the Title III advisor and retention specialist to Indian students, advisor to the Students of a Feather Club and Writing Center advisor at Pierce College (Fort Steilacoom Community College) in Tacoma for many decades.

Her passion in working one-on-one with “at-risk” students led to her working with more ESL/ELL students than anyone else in the studio/center and led to BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of color) and immigrant and first-generation students frequently and most often seeking her special help. Her article “Indians Can’t Read” in a special edition of The American Indian Quarterly detailed her fierce advocacy for Indigenous student retention and success in higher education.

Ann also was critical in getting Pierce College finally, after 12 long years, to acknowledge and repatriate Puyallup Tribal remains and artifacts for reburial in the Puyallup Tribe burial grounds.

She loved swimming, catching bees and crayfish as a child, hiking and canoeing, traditional family storytelling, reading, writing, sewing, beadwork, gardening, garage sales, teaching her children about the forests of the Pacific Northwest, singing rock ’n’ roll with her children especially as they evaded Nisqually fireworks inspections, the scariest fair rides, road trips, and spending time with her beloved children and grandchildren.

Her life is a testament to the power of staunch truth in the face of oppressive and violent odds, from which springs her deep traditional practices including her giveaways, art, stories, laughter and joy. Her children carry these traditions into future generations.

The family has held private services and will hold private services at the Tribal Cemetery at a later date. A celebration of life for the Tribal community is being planned to honor her life and support the Grand Ronde community.

The family respectfully suggests donations to be made in Ann Ritchey’s name to the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde’s Chachula Museum and Cultural Center or to the Tribal Chinuk Wawa Language Building; mail to 9615 Grand Rond Road, Grand Ronde, OR, 97347.

Sympathy cards may be sent to the family care of Delight E. Satter, 1010 Scott Blvd., C3, Decatur, GA, 30030.

Wendell Keith Olson

July 30, 1966 – March 17, 2023

Tribal Elder Wendell Keith Olson walked on March 17, 2023, at the age of 56 after a yearlong battle with brain cancer.

Wendell was born on July 30, 1966, in McMinnville, Ore. Throughout his life, he lived in Oregon and briefly in Idaho, ultimately buying a home with his wife in Willamina. Wendell married the love of his life, Teressa, in 1988 and together they had three children.

Wendell was happiest when surrounded by his family and friends. He loved his job as a telecommunications technician for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and running the sound board for Sunday morning worship service at Grace Community Church in Dallas.

Wendell loved God, NASCAR, guns, cars, photography and being a Tribal Elder. Most of all, Wendell loved his family. Wendell was a wonderful son, husband, father, brother and papa.

Wendell is survived by his mother, Carol; father, Dennis; wife of 34 years, Teressa; children, Spencer, Dominique and Jacob; grandson, Maddox; sister, Shelby; and mother-in-law, Winona. He is preceded in death by his father-in-law, Charles.

A memorial service was held Saturday, March 25, at the Tribal gymnasium. 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, Ore. A meal was held at the Elders Activity Center following the service.

We ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Brain Tumor Society in hopes that someday someone else’s “Wendell” could be saved. To donate, visit https://nbtsevents.braintumor.org/fundraiser/4538619.
Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center is caring for the family.