Today, marks the fiftieth anniversary of the passing of Lola Lillie Murrer Tanner, my grandmother. She was born on September 11, 1899 at Willow Creek Valley, the eldest and only daughter of Edward and Mary (Knoch) Murrer. She had two brothers, Leo, born 1906, and Alfred born 1914.

Lola while growing up enjoyed the outdoors and exploring her “backyard” the east side of Eagle Lake. One of her early passions was photography. Because of her, she captured Eagle Lake at is highest level, but equally important the construction of Bly Tunnel.

In 1927, she married John Tanner and the following year they acquired the present Tanner Ranch, now sandwiched between the Dakin and Fleming Units of the State Wildlife Refuge, and still owned by the family. In 1945, she was widowed having to deal with raising three daughters and operating the ranch, yet with all those and many other challenges, she never complained.

While she did not have a high profile life, to me her legacy has been her photographs that I share with you the reader—priceless.

Tim

Oh that flume from the other week!