Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Carole Crim passed away peacefully on February 28, 2018 after 83 years of a full and active life as a life-long resident in Chelan, Wash.
Carole was a fixture at Stage Stop Antiques, her life-long passion having operated the antique shop for nearly 50 years. Active in the local community, Carole served as a member of the Chelan City Council, Matron of the City and the Jr. Women’s Club among many other activities. She was a passionate local-area historian and helped with initial effort to establish the Chelan Museum.
Carole grew up in Chelan and graduated from Chelan High. In 1953, she married Lloyd (Hoke) Crim, another Chelan native. Hoke was the printer at the Chelan Mirror newspaper for 30 years. Together they raised two children; a son, Kendall, and a daughter, Claudia, both life-long Chelan residents and Chelan High school graduates. The family shared many adventures together; camping and treasure hunting at every yard sale along the way were at the top of the list.
While working as an agent for Greyhound at the Chelan Transfer Co. on Emerson Street, Carole started an antique business which she named Stage Stop Antiques in honor of the original stage coach stop in Chelan. The business continued to grow and in 1976 Carole and Hoke purchased the building at the site where the antique shop still exists today. They became major collectors of vintage apple box labels which is an artful connection to the apple industry in Chelan’s history. Carole and Hoke continued their community historical collecting and selling together until his passing in 2004. She carried on strong in the business until her health recently declined.
Carole enjoyed visiting with everyone to hear their stories of the area and sitting with longtime friends to discuss the current events; there was always time for good conversation over a snack and something to drink. She loved playing bridge, cowboys and the old west, reading good books and magazines, and her housecats. Carole’s friendly smile and welcoming personality will be missed in this valley and beyond.
Carole is survived by her son, Kendall Crim and daughter Claudia Wells and her husband Terry Beneze; her granddaughter Kalee Simmons and her husband Steve; and her three great-grandsons Luke, Jonah and Levi Simmons, all local residents.
A memorial service for friends and family will be held Saturday, March 24 at 1:30 p.m. at Lakeside Lodge and Suites in Chelan, Wash.
Please leave any thoughts and memories for the family at www.prechtrose.com. Services are entrusted to Precht Rose Chapel of Chelan.
