Violet May (Dorrel) Utt, 87, of Riverside passed away August 5, 2014. Violet was born on February 13, 1927 to Orel Everett Dorrel and Nellie Alanta (Woods) Dorrel in Tonasket, Washington.

Violet was raised in the Tonasket area and graduated from Tonasket High School in 1945. She married Melvin Adrian Utt on May 19, 1945 in Okanogan, Washington and moved onto the family ranch in the Limebelt area west of Riverside, Wash. Daughter, Barbara Ann, was born in 1949. In 1955, they moved to Riverside so Barbara could start school. They built a home north of Riverside, and son, James Melvin, was born in 1960. Violet worked in the apple warehouses for over thirty years and at an Auto Supply store for eight years before retiring to help work on the ranch.

Violet was an active member with the Okanogan County Cattlewomen’s and was their President in 1991. She was State Cattlewomen’s President in 1995 and Regional V Director for National Cattlewomen’s in 1997 and 1998. She was voted Okanogan County Cattlewoman of the Year in 1999. Violet was also active in the Okanogan County Historical Society and volunteered at the Okanogan County Museum. She enjoyed working in genealogy and was the author of several books on family history and assisted with local area books on Pine Creek and Tunk Creek history over the years.

In her spare time she baked pies, cakes, and cookies for Melvin’s sweet tooth. She also did a lot of canning of fruit and vegetables from their garden. She enjoyed quilting, and for Christmas 2013 she made quilts for both of her children and her three grandchildren. She loved to travel and attended several National Conventions for National Cattlemen and Cattlewomen’s Associations all over the country. She made several trips to meet distant relatives and continue her genealogy research. Melvin and Violet also took two cruises to Alaska.

In May 2014, Melvin and Violet celebrated their 69th Wedding Anniversary.

Violet is survived by her husband Melvin, daughter, Barbara (Paul) Estep, son, James (Lorraine) Utt of Riverside, granddaughters Melissa (Dave) Watkins, Spokane, Jessica and Jamie Utt of Riverside, and great grandchildren, Adrian, Elisha, and Jacy Watkins of Spokane. Violet was preceded in death by both parents, her brother Robert Dorrel, her sister Doris Fisher and one great grandson Nathaniel Watkins.

Visitation will be Friday, August 8, 2014 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel, 2547 Elmway, Okanogan, Washington. Graveside services will be held Monday, August 11, 2014 at 11 a.m. at Okanogan Valley Memorial Gardens, 214 Conconully Road, Okanogan, WA.

Precht-Harrison-Nearents Chapel is caring for the arrangements.