Alta June Wachter-Busse

Alta ‘June’ Wachter-Busse

Alta “June” Wachter-Busse, Evaline, died on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Olympia, Washington. Born in Centralia on June 3, 1927, June was a lifetime resident of Lewis County, except for a brief stay in Tennessee while her husband was in the service during World War II.

June attended Centralia elementary schools, Centralia High School, and Centralia College. She was pleased to be Mrs. Walter K. Wachter for 48 years, from December 15, 1944, until his death on February 1, 1992. Later she enjoyed 11 years married to William F. Busse from May 30, 2009, until his death on July 19, 2020.

As a rural mail carrier for the Winlock Post Office from 1965 to 1993, June drove many county roads delivering mail to local residents. She was a seventh-degree Grange member with over 75 years of membership at Hope Grange, where she served as Lady Assistant Steward and later as Treasurer.

June was an avid league bowler for over 50 years, entering many national and local tournaments.  She was secretary of two senior leagues at Fairway Lanes, continuing as secretary of the Monday league until her death. She also served several years as secretary of the Lewis County Women’s Bowling Association.

After Walt’s death, June volunteered at Providence Hospital Centralia for more than 20 years and contributed over 4,000 hours of service. She was a member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Winlock, the Montesano Moose Lodge Auxiliary, the Castle Rock Eagles Auxiliary, the Winlock American Legion Auxiliary, and is a past Lewis County Master Gardener.

June is survived by five children Kathleen (Ron) Heikkila, Evaline; Wayne (Sue) Wachter, Centralia; Kris (Larry) Carroll, Toledo; Karen (Troy) Robey, Battle Ground; and Kari (Larry) Inman, Centralia; 17 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; 3 great-great-grandchildren; a sister Dorothy Ross; cousin Beulah Bennett Vernon, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was eagerly awaiting news about the soon expected birth of her fourth and fifth great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by husband Walt Wachter; husband Bill Busse; a son, Ted Wachter; her brothers, Harold and Harley Skinner; sisters, Bernita Eppler and Marjorie Hall; and an infant grandson. Words cannot adequately express the appreciation family members have for the team of caregivers who watched over June for the final eight months of her life.

A service will be held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 379 SR-505, Winlock, on Wednesday, April 24, at 1:00 p.m., graveside service will follow at Winlock Cemetery. The casket will be open for viewing at Cattermole Funeral Home, 203 NW Kerron St, Winlock, 2:00-5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, and at the church an hour prior to the service. Light refreshments will be served in the church fellowship hall after services while friends and family share time together.

The Wachter family will welcome donations to the family scholarship for Evaline students. Donations in any amount may be delivered to a local branch of Timberland Bank or mailed directly to Timberland Bank, PO Box 368, Winlock WA 98596. Donations should be clearly marked and checks made out to the “Walt Wachter Memorial Evaline Scholarship #5083.” Former Evaline students may obtain an application for the annual scholarship at Evaline School or at local high schools.

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