Honoring Yelm's Past: The Story of Our Cemetery Commissioners

One of my greatest passions is history; learning from our past, uncovering the stories that are the foundation of our community, and ensuring that we carry those lessons forward with respect and honor. Yelm's story is not only about the pioneers, but also about the Native peoples who lived on this land long before. Both legacies deserve to be remembered; every person is justifiably honored.

The Yelm Cemetery reflects this deep history powerfully. The first recorded burial took place in 1881. The burial took place on land donated by James and Virinda Longmire; pioneers whose contributions shaped Yelm. The impact of the Longmire family can still be seen throughout our community. Before this, families laid their loved ones to rest on homesteads in the area. The need for a community cemetery soon became clear. By 1887, the Yelm Cemetery was formally established. This provided families a lasting location to honor the memories of those who came before.

Preservation Through Leadership

In 1920, the Yelm Prairie Cemetery District was established to oversee the grounds. Recognizing the importance of preservation, local citizens petitioned to create an elected Board of Commissioners in 1947. The petition garnered an excess of 400 signatures. The mission for the new Board of Commissioners was clear: to safeguard the cemetery, ensure responsible stewardship, and protect this vital piece of our communities' shared history.

Stewardship in Action

The Yelm Cemetery Commissioners have served in a rotating role ever since that time. The Boards' responsibilities include:

• Respectfully maintaining and expanding the grounds for future generations.

• Responsibly managing finances provided through the sale of deeds and local property taxes.

• Honorably preserving historic markers and monuments.

• Tactfully supporting our community during its most difficult times.

• Holding monthly public meetings and clearly communicating meeting times and locations.

• Transparently making notes of all public meetings available to the community.

Historical Medallion awarded by Thurston County in 2023

In recent years, the cemetery has been dutifully honored as part of Yelm's heritage. In 2020, Yelm Cemetery was declared a historical site. Following this, in 2023, a medallion ceremony celebrated this recognition.

Why this Story Matters Today

The Yelm Cemetery is more than a place of rest. It is a living history of our community. From Native peoples to pioneer families, to the veterans and loved ones, this history shaped the story of Yelm. Honoring that history is not merely about preserving the past. It is about respecting the foundation upon which our future is built.

As your candidate for Yelm Cemetery Commissioner, I firmly believe that same spirit of stewardship should guide our board and our community today. Just as the Commissioners have cared for Yelm Cemetery, we all have the duty to make solid, respectful decisions that balance growth with honor. We must ensure the Yelm community continues to thrive while remembering where we came from.