Garfield GM honor goes to Archer, Hasenoehrl

Garfield’s May Day grand marshals this year will be honored for their decades of work. They are long-time Garfield residents Ramah Archer and Theresa Hasenoehrl.

The two women, who have been friends for more than 40 years, will ride through the May Day parade in Hollis Jamison’s convertible May 21.

In an interview with the Gazette, Archer said she was happy to be chosen for the annual position.

“I’m very honored,” she said.

Hasenoehrl said she too was delighted to ride through downtown in the town she loves.

“They are just lovely women. They are kind. They were supportive of town projects and events,” said one of the May Day organizers, Jean McCown, who said she watched this year’s honorees step up to help out with town activities time after time throughout the years.

“They just jump right in and help. They are just supportive, positive people,” she said.

Hasenoehrl and her husband Roy owned and operated the Garfield Meat and Locker Plant for 36 years from 1955 to 1991. Hasenoehrl graduated from high school in Idaho and moved to Garfield after marrying Roy.

She said their meat shop did much of the same work the current Garfield Meat Shop does; kill and process local farm animals for farmers.

“I did a lot of wrapping. I could do the whole shebang,” Hasenoehrl said.

She added her years at the shop were always enjoyable.

“I liked all the people and I liked to do the work,” she said.

In those days, the Garfield Meat Shop was hopping with business, much like the rest of the town. The Hasenoehrls raised two sons, Tom and Jim, who graduated from Garfield High School. Tom is now retired and Jim is finishing his career at URM in Spokane.

As far as other activities around town, Hasenoehrl said that shop kept them so busy they rarely had time for much else.

Roy died in 2001 after 49 years of marriage. Theresa, who still lives in their home in Garfield, said she finds much joy these days in her relationship with Archer and other long-time friends in town.

Archer moved to Garfield in 1944 to marry her husband Don after he served three years in the Navy during World War II.

“I was going with him when Pearl Harbor started,” she said. The two married after his return.

Don worked at the Berger Plate pea mill for 46 years. They raised three children, Suzanne, Donna and Danny. Both daughters are now retired. Danny was killed in action in the Vietnam War.

Archer worked off and on at WSU and the pea mill throughout the years, totaling 17 years at WSU. All three Archer children graduated from Garfield High School.

Archer said the town has changed enormously from when she first moved there. There were many more businesses in Garfield in those days, she said.

“Now we get people who move in here for bed and breakfast, you might say. There’s no employment now, there’s nothing,” she said.

Don died in 2002 after 58 years of marriage.

Ramah and Theresa now take a walk through town most mornings with five other women their age. The shared experience is good, she said.

“I wouldn’t go anywhere else for nothing- too many good friends,” Hasenoehrl said.