Individual Details

Cleda Mae Defabaugh

(9 Sep 1918 - 14 Jan 2009)

Cleda Mae TIPTON--- Cleda Tipton passed away peacefully in her West Seattle home on January 14, 2009 at the age of 90. Suffering from Alzheimer's disease during the final years of her life, the strength and determination gained from being the eldest daughter of a hard-working wheat farmer kept her going. Born in Seattle, she was raised on a farm outside of Harrington, Washington where she attended high school. Graduating in 1936, Cleda excelled in school, earning a position on the honor roll, served as a student body officer and performed in several school plays. Cleda became a registered nurse following graduation from Sacred Heart School of Nursing in Spokane. During her training, she served as an officer of the Mendela Club, a professional nursing organization and continued performing in school plays as the feminine lead. Shortly afterwards, Cleda was recruited by United Airlines to be among their first stewardesses. (At that time, flight attendants had to be registered nurses.) While based in Portland, Oregon she met and married Phil Klett who also worked for United. Cleda had to give up flying to raise a family but remained active with the organization as president of Clipped Wings, the United Stewardess Alumnae Association. After residing in Denver, Colorado for several years, she and her young family moved to Seattle in 1946. Here, Cleda returned to nursing, working many years for Dr. Homer Harris, a respected and well-known physician. In her retirement, Cleda loved gardening and caring for her gorgeous roses. She shared this passion with her second husband, Frank Tipton. Cleda was also an active member of the local gardening club. Cleda is survived by her son, Colin Klett (Helen); granddaughters Lisa Fouts (Devin) and Erica Klett; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents Herb and Hazel Defabaugh; sisters Glenna Timm, Jean Davis and Dolores ("Dody") Drazey; her husbands Phil Klett and Frank Tipton; infant son Kipley Klett; and infant daughter Claudia Klett. An informal gathering of family and friends will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2009 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. at her residence, 2505 51st Ave SW, Seattle, Wa. 98116. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in her memory to the Alzheimer's Association or to a charity of choice.
Published in The Seattle Times from January 17 to January 18, 2009

Events

Birth9 Sep 1918Seattle, King Co., Washington
MarriageAbt 1942Philip John Klett Jr.
Marriage19 Jan 1972Reno, Washoe Co., Nevada - Frank W. Tipton
Death14 Jan 2009West Seattle, King Co., Washington
BurialHillcrest Cemetery, Harrington, Lincoln Co., Washington

Families

SpousePhilip John Klett Jr. (1919 - 2005)
ChildColin Klett (1944 - )
ChildKipley Alan Klett (1945 - 1945)
ChildClaudia Jean Klett (1947 - 1947)
SpouseFrank W. Tipton (1923 - 2004)
FatherNoah Hebert Defabaugh (1891 - 1959)
MotherHazel Mae Burge (1894 - 1975)
SiblingNorma Jean Defabaugh (1924 - 2004)
SiblingGlenna Faye Defabaugh (1926 - 1988)
SiblingDolores Janette Defabaugh (1932 - 1997)
SiblingSharon Rae Defabaugh (1939 - 1939)

Endnotes