Our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother went to be with the Lord on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at the age of 91 while resting peacefully at her home of 73 years on H Street in Centralia, Washington, with her loving daughter Marilyn at her side.
Carol Rae Ponder was the first born of Johnny and Frances Matteson on July 13, 1933, at her grandmother’s house in Centralia.
At the age of four, the family bought a small farmhouse located on Salzer Valley Road, where she was raised along with sisters Myrna, Evelyn, and brother Larry.
She graduated from Centralia High School in 1951 and was married to Richard Ponder on Sept. 1, 1951. In the spring of 1952, the young couple bought their home on H Street in Centralia, where they raised their four kids: Susan (Beck), Marilyn (Gallagher), Andrew Ponder and Richard “Dickie” Ponder.
Many family camping trips were made throughout the PNW and as far away as Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, and Banff National Park in Canada. Often the family would gather around the campfire and sing along to Dad playing his ukulele. Her voice blended perfectly with Dad’s, and the kids would join in—oftentimes they were rewarded with muffled applause from other campers.
After raising their four kids, Dick and Carol made many road trips, including to New York City and many other historical sites in the New England region.
She and her husband were members of the Adna Do Si Dos, and she was a longtime member of the Salzer Valley Homemakers. She was taught the art of handwoven baskets by local Chehalis Tribe member Hazel Pete and was especially proud of her handcrafted baskets.
She had a fantastic memory for family history on both sides and a remarkable recall of the smallest details all the way up to her time of passing.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Dick Ponder; son, Dickie Ponder; and grandchildren, Alan Young and Matthew Ponder.
She is survived by her siblings Myrna Boyse of Vancouver, Washington, Larry Matteson of Sterling, Massachusetts, and Evelyn (Skip) Friese of Lebam, Washington; children Sue Beck, Marilyn Gallagher, and Andy (Darcy) Ponder, all of Centralia; grandchildren Julie (Dave) Pendleton, Amy (Aaron) Dunnagan, Jackie Ponder, Megan (Clyde) Berry, Jonathan Young, Jennifer Pertzborn, and Angela (Chris) Gelder; 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, May 3, beginning at 1 p.m. at the Fords Prairie Grange, located at 2640 W. Reynolds Ave., Centralia. Light refreshments will be provided.
