Julia Tarwater

Julia Elizabeth Smith Tarwater, 100, died Friday (July 5, 2019) at the Bethesda Home in Goessel, Ks.

She was born on August 24, 1918 in Mildred, Kansas the daughter of David Turner and Zelda Virginia Andre Smith. When she was one year old, the family moved to Hamilton, Kansas to the “old checkerboard Smith’s place.”

In March 1936, Julia met Cyrus W. Tarwater. They were married on July 31, 1936, after graduating from high school. Their son, Raymond Cyrus Tarwater, was born on October 10, 1937 near Eureka, Kansas.

In 1940, they moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon. They farmed and later C.W. went to work in lumber mills until he retired in 1976. In 1981, they decided to move back to Kansas but five years later they returned to Oregon. C.W. died in 1991.

Julia continued to live in Oregon until 1998, when she returned to Kansas to live near her nieces. She lived at Kidron Bethel in North Newton for a short time until moving to Bethesda Home in Goessel in 2000.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband; son; brothers Robert Levi Smith, Raymond Turner Smith, Westley David Smith; and sisters Elsie Lillian Casto and Rossie Edward Smith.

Julia is survived by several nieces and nephews.

Cremation has taken place. Private family inurnment will take place at a later date at Mt. Laki Cemetery in Klamath Falls, Oregon beside her husband and son.

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.