Obituary of Eileen Muriel Rixe

Eileen Muriel Rixe, 88, passed away from cancer February 10, 2019 at her home in her own bed in Olympia, Washington, with her daughter Patty Rice, daughter-in-law Sandy Rixe, and granddaughter, Jennifer Rixe present.  She lived in a trailer on the family property after her husband passed away. Her husband and their four children were raised on the property.  Between the two of them, they lived there for 62 years. After her husband passed away, her youngest son, Rick Rixe, and his wife, Sandy, bought the family home and moved in with their family.  They took good care of our mom and the property.

Eileen was born August 5, 1930 to John Gardner and Pearl (Petersen) Gardner Boe in Fargo, North Dakota.  She graduated from Bellingham High School in Bellingham, Washington, and married John Rixe on July 24, 1948 in Olympia, Washington.  She and her husband were members of Trinity Lutheran Church of Olympia, Washington, which was founded by some of the Rixe family along with others.  She loved the Lord.  She enjoyed working with her hands as she worked at Hofert Christmas Tree Farm, Hytec Fiberglass, an Olympia fish market, and BP gas station. 

She had a very best friend, Adel Gardner, of many years who predeceased her.  They did everything together.  She was an avid reader, and enjoyed bowling, travel with Adel and her sister, playing cards with the family, watching television, especially old westerns, wrestling, Seahawks football, and Mariners baseball.

She is survived by her daughters, Connie Wiley of Lacey, Washington and Patty Rice of Olympia, Washington; and her son Rick Rixe of Olympia, Washington.  She has 10 grandchildren, Julie Raney, Jon and Jeff Wiley, Jason and Greg Rice, David, Jennifer and Shannon Rixe, Kenny LeVan and Aleisha Wilson and 17 great grandchildren, Henry and Liam Raney, Hunter and Wyatt Rice, Cade Fancher, Carson and Calyn Rice, Kaya, Taylor, Ryan, Owen, and Austin Rixe, Kai Rixe and Kirra Elston, Zach LeVan, and Kyle and Mason Wilson. 

She also is survived by two brothers, John and Dick Gardner of California; and one sister, Connie Hoff of Washington. Her husband, John Rixe, and her oldest son, David Rixe, predeceased her.