Glenn C. Aldrich, 88, Mossyrock, passed away on March 8, 2025, on the farm where he was born. Born May 28, 1936, to Neal and Marjorie Aldrich, he spent his childhood on the family farm, Aldrich Berry Farm & Nursery. Glenn fostered a love for baseball and agriculture there, graduating from Mossyrock High School in 1954. He remained close with his high school classmates all his life, seldom missing a Class Breakfast in 30 years.
Glenn pursued his agricultural passions academically, attending Washington State University from 1954 to 1958, where he pledged FarmHouse Fraternity and enrolled in the United States Air Force ROTC. He received his master’s in agricultural education from Washington State University in 1960, commuting between Pullman, Washington, and Mansfield, Washington, where he taught ag classes at the local high school for two years.
Glenn met his wife, Wisten Aldrich (Thomsen), in Mansfield, and they were married on Dec. 29, 1961, shortly after Glenn was called into active duty by the United States Air Force. He served at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls, Montana, and Ernest Harmon AFB in Labrador, Canada. Glenn was honorably discharged for family hardship after two years of service in 1963, and he returned home to Mossyrock to take over Aldrich Berry Farm & Nursery after his father, Neal, suffered a heart attack. While expanding the farm, Glenn taught ag classes for four years at Mossyrock High School before retiring from teaching to farm full time in 1967. After taking over the farm, he and his wife had two sons, Chris and Jason.
Glenn was an active Freemason, joining in 1960, and was affiliated with Robert Morris Lodge No. 97 in Silver Creek, Washington. He was a consummate, dedicated volunteer who strongly believed in giving back to his fellow neighbors and farmers through formal politics, grassroots movements, and community engagement. A lifelong lover of agriculture, soil science, and Hawaii, Glenn worked hard to support small towns and farmers, leaving a permanent imprint on Western Washington’s agricultural industry and his family alike. He loved being involved in the farming industry and in his communities, casting a broad net that kept him perpetually busy.
Over the course of his life, he was the chair of the Washington Blueberry Commission and a passionate member of its Blueberry Research Committee, an early organizer of the Washington Blueberry Association, a lifetime member of Mossyrock Grange, active with the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association, and a founder of the Lewis County Farm Bureau, which he would later serve as president. He was elected to the Mossyrock School Board and elected as 3rd District Lewis County commissioner from 1994 to 1998. Glenn was also an original member of the Mossyrock Area Action League and a Mossyrock Historical Society member.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Neal and Marjorie Aldrich; his older brother, Allen; and sister-in-law Marion. Glenn is survived by his wife, Wisten; sister, Venita Aldrich (Jerry); sons, Chris Aldrich (Jennifer) and Jason Aldrich (Jennifer); grandson, Parker Aldrich; granddaughters, Sara Aldrich (Drew) and Emma Aldrich; nephew, Allen Aldrich (Pearl); grandnephew, Tyler Aldrich (Jana); great-grandnieces, Giuliana and Olivia; and many cousins.
Funeral: A private graveside interment was held with services provided by Robert Morris Masonic Lodge No. 97. A public celebration of life will be held in Mossyrock at a later date. As Glenn was an avid lifelong music fan, donations in his name may be made to Mossyrock School District No. 206, Music Dept. Memorial Fund, PO Box 454, Mossyrock, WA 98564.
