Inez P. Mike Fruh

Inez P. (Barton) Mike Fruh, a long-time resident of Moses Lake, left this old world on June 2, 2012. She will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends. Mom was born in the small railroad town of Duncan, Arizona on March 8, 1931 to Harlan “Red” Barton and Leota Pearl Jones Barton. Mom told us tales of how poor they were growing up; of having clothes made from flour sacks and picking greens by the side of the canals for dinner. In April of 1954, she married the love of her life, Delbert C. Mike “Mike.” They enjoyed riding motorcycles together and she loved to hear the roar of a Harley to her last day. When Mike formed his company, M&J Construction, Inez became an unofficial employee; running parts to the job sites, flagging, and anything else the company needed, the word gofer comes to mind. Mom loved dancing, gardening, hunting, fishing, camping and playing the slots but most of all she loved her family and her pets. She took in the sick and injured animals that came around her house and always made sure they had food especially in the winter; these animals also included a few raccoons and skunks that passed through. She worked as a cook at the NCO club at Larson Air Force Base and as a cook for Al Harrington at the 3-Way BBQ here in Moses Lake. She loved watching her kids, grandkids and great grandkids playing sports and encouraged them to do well in school. After Dad died she married Carl Fruh making their home in Benton City, WA. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband Delbert C. Mike, her brothers, Harlan Boyd Barton and Clarence “Red” Barton. She is also preceded in death by her grandson Delbert Thompson. Inez is survived by her children Sherry Mike Turner (Fred), Sonny H. Mike (Cindy) and Sheila D. Thompson (Jerrel), grandchildren Travis Williams, Brandon Mike (Shari), Jared Mike (Janelle), Chalcie Rhodes (Levi) and Sara McPhearson (Eric), Cody Mobley and Kathy Nelson. She also leaves behind 11 ½ great-grandchildren (one on the way), her sisters Lois Miller (Norman) and Patty Joyce Mobley and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to especially thank her granddaughter, Kathy Nelson, for coming every weekend from Tacoma to be with her and help with her care. We would also like to especially thank Amber Bravo from Assured Hospice along with the rest of the staff and volunteers for their kind and gentle care of her and their kindness to the family. Her final resting place will be Riverview Abbey in Portland, Oregon. A memorial service will be held later this summer. The family suggests that donations can be made to the Grant County Animal Outreach in her memory.

Inez P. Mike Fruh

March 8, 1930 - June 2, 2012