Steen, Bertha - Wednesday, 11 Dec 2002 Whidbey News Times Whidbey WA
Bertha Lejeune Steen, 106, died Dec. 11, 2002 at her home in Oak Harbor. She was born on the family farm in Cumberland, Wis., to John F. and Katherine (Yost) Lejeune. Her father was the first to raise a herd of registered Holstein cattle in Wisconsin.
Bertha was married Aug. 20, 1921 to Edward P. Steen in Cumberland, Wis. They continued dairy farming in Rice Lake, Wis., for several years and then began a journey west. The settled in Idaho for about three years and then settled in Monroe where Mr. Steen worked as a logging road contractor.
Bertha and Ed left Monroe after 12 years and moved to Clear Lake, Skagit County, where they spent 25 years. In 1972, they purchased land on North Whidbey and began construction of a home. Ed died in 1979, but Bertha remained in the family home until her death.
Bertha Steen was a member of St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, Oak Harbor. She was a Life Member and Past Noble Grand of the Rebekah Lodge of Clear Lake. She enjoyed flowers, gardening and reading.
Mrs. Steen is survived by two daughters: Dorothy Hedlund of Fircrest, and Gilda Padden of Burlington and her daughter-in-law, Margaret Steen of Machiasport, Maine. Six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren also survive. She was preceded in death by her husband, one son John Marvin Steen, and one grandson John M Steen, Jr.
Cremation was held with private family graveside services at Fern Hill Cemetery, Anacortes. A gathering for family and friends will be held Monday, Dec. 16 at 1 p.m. at Bertha’s home, 4327 Terrace Drive, Oak Harbor.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Washington Council of the Blind, P. O. Box 6996, Kennewick, WA 99336 or Grace Cochrum Children’s Therapy Guild, c/o Dee McIlrath (360) 855-0502.
Smith, Glendyn - Sunday, 08 Dec 2002
Glendyn G. Smith, of Oak Harbor, died Dec 8, 2002, at her home.
She was born June 16, 1925 in Long Beach, Calif., to James and Wilma Greig and married Augustine W. “Gus” Smith on June 1, 1946. Her husband attained the rank of captain, U.S. Navy and was a former commanding officer of Whidbey Island Naval Air Station before his death May 3, 1990.
Mrs. Smith is survived by one daughter, Sharon S. Smith, and her husband Richard C. Hood, of Norfolk, Va.; one son, Peter G. Smith, captain, USNR (retired), of San Diego, Calif.; and three grandchildren, Oscar F. Smith, V, Susan L. Morrill and Glendyn G. Smith.
In keeping with her wishes, no services will be held. Memorials may be made to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N., J5-200, P.O. Box 10924, Seattle, WA 98109-1024.
Fritch, Joseph - Saturday, 26 Apr 2003 Whidbey News Times Whidbey WA
Joseph E. “Joe” Fritch, age 39, of Oak Harbor, died at St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham on April 26, 2003.
Mr. Fritch was born in Kewanee, Ill., March 12, 1964, to George Fritch and Marcella (Ryan) Fritch. He was raised in Henry, Ill., where he graduated from high school. Following high school graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy and served three years, ending his service at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station. Joe was married to Angela Frank on Sept. 30, 1988, in Mount Vernon. He had been employed as a steam plant engineer for Del-Jen. Joe enjoyed golfing and playing pool. He also enjoyed camping in the mountains with his family. He loved motorcycling, and dreamed of owning a Harley.
Joe is survived by his wife Annie, at home; three daughters, Sammie Jo, at home in Oak Harbor, Eva Wheeler and fiancee Jeff Bushnell of Corvallis, Ore., and Mandy Peak and husband Jason of Cherry Point, N.C.; three grandchildren, Logan and Austin Wheeler and Billy Peak; his parents, George and Marcella Fritch of Wyoming, Ill.; six brothers, Mike Fritch and wife Pam of Cambridge, Ill., Brad LaPayne and wife Julie, Bruce LaPayne and Bryan LaPayne, all of Champagne, Ill., Burt LaPayne and Andy Fritch and wife Darla, both of Wyoming, Ill.; his sister, Susie Smith and husband Jonathan of New Martinsville, W.V.; also, numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law Stella LaPayne.
Visitation will be Wednesday, April 30, 2003, from noon until 5 p.m. and Thursday, May 1, from 9 a.m. until noon at Burley Funeral Chapel. A memorial service will be Thursday, May 1, at 2 p.m., at Burley Funeral Chapel, Rev. Fred Renfroe, Cmdr., CHC, USN (Ret) officiating. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.
Weidenbach, Ardene Patricia - Saturday, 26 Apr 2003
Ardene Patricia Weidenbach, 85, died at her home April 26, 2003. Ardene was born June 24, 1917, on Lopez Island. Her parents, John and Eunice Davis Troxell, lived for many years on Whidbey Island at their home near Ala Spit.
Ardene graduated from Fairhaven High School in Bellingham in 1934. After attending Oregon State University and Willamette University she graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor of arts degree in French in 1939. She felt she needed more training, so next she attended Perkins Business College in Seattle. Upon completion of a six-month course, she took a job as a translator at the First National Bank in Seattle, but she was doing bookkeeping rather than translating. When Ardene’s boss, of Japanese descent, was sent to an internment camp during World War II she quit her job.
After helping her sister get settled in Chapel Hill, N.C., Ardene worked as a legal secretary in New York, where she met her first husband, Charles Malta, whom she married in 1943.
She came home to her parents on Whidbey in 1947 and worked as a bookkeeper at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
Ardene met Henry Weidenbach while buying feed for her rabbits and chickens at Oak Harbor Feed and Seed Store that Henry owned. They married in 1953, joining their two families.
When the government bought their Whidbey Island dairy farm in 1958, the family moved to Skagit County. They lived in Bow for seven years and Darrington for six years. They then moved to Ellensburg, where they resided for 21 years. Ardene and Henry traveled extensively with their RV, participating in the Good Sam Club activities. She loved the water and living on West Beach. She enjoyed entertaining, cooking, and swimming. She loved flowers and valued education.
Ardene was active in the Grange and Garden Clubs, and was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church. She came home to Whidbey Island after Henry died in 1991. Ardene enjoyed her work as a volunteer with the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center. She will be missed by her pinochle friends at Oak Harbor Senior Center.
Ardene is survived by her sons, Charles (Terry) Weidenbach of Ellensburg and Peter Weidenbach and wife Jan of Folsom, Calif.; and Henry’s children: Howard Weidenbach and wife Renee of El Mirage, Calif., Eldon Weidenbach and wife Chloe of Ellensburg, Ray Weidenbach and wife Cathy of Rogue River, Ore., and Avis Rector and husband George of Oak Harbor; 44 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brothers Adron and Con Troxell and sister Beryl Mason and Henry’s daughter Marge Davis.
At her request the family will hold a private memorial service. Memorials may be made to Oak Harbor Senior Center, 51 SE Jerome St., Oak Harbor, WA 98277, or to Friends of Home Health Care, P.O. Box 400, Coupeville, WA 98239. Arrangements by Burley Funeral Chapel.
Reinstra, Charles - Friday, 25 Apr 2003
Charles E. Reinstra, 81, of Everett, died April 25, 2003. He was born July 8, 1921 in Oak Harbor to Ted and Geessien (Duykenhaussen) Reinstra.
Mr. Reinstra served in the U.S. Navy in World War II and had live in the Everett area for the past 58 years. He worked for Standard Oil for 31 years and had been a partner in H&H Motors in Everett for eight years. He had been a member of Disabled American Veterans in Arlington and the American Legion in Snohomish.
Charles loved being with his family and took an active role in the lives of all his family members.
Survivors include his wife Irmina, at home; a son and daughter-in-law, Jeffrey and Marlene Reinstra of Stanwood; daughters and sons-in-law Joanne and Robert Olson of LaConner, Charlene and Robert Osborn or Everett, Barbara McLean and Steve Curtiss of Mountlake Terrace and Christy and Edward Smith of Spokane Valley; brother and sister-in-law Harold and Enid Reinstra of Mount Vernon; sisters Jane Oakley of Oak Harbor and Tina Lovelace of Mount Vernon; grandchildren Angela Meyer, Kenneth and Lori Meyer, Kimberly and Darryl Felix, Tracy and Phillip Nelson, Jon McLean, Eric Smith, Carli Smith, Kristen Smith, Ian Simpson, Danelle Reinstra and Daniel Reinstra; great-grandchildren Coryn Felix, Shayla Felix and Kenneth Meyer, Jr. and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a son Douglas; a sister, Daisy Feenstra and four brothers.
A service of remembrance will be held Wednesday, April 30, at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Evergreen Funeral Home, 4504 Broadway in Everett.
The family suggests that remembrances be made to St. Mary Magdalen Church or St. Vincent de Paul. Arrangements by Evergreen Funeral Home, Everett.
Brayton, Leona Thursday, 24 Apr 2003
Leona F. “Nonie” Brayton, 82, died at Whidbey General Hospital April 24, 2003, following an extended illness. She was born in Hawthorne, Calif., Jan. 19, 1921, to Walter and Gladys (Mehan) Fraser.
While living in the Los Angeles area of California Mrs. Brayton owned and operated a restaurant and later was employed in the grocery business with Retail Food
Clerks Local 770. In 1978 she moved to Washington and settled in Auburn for two years before moving to Coupeville.
Mrs. Brayton was a past president of the Oak Harbor Emblem Club No. 450, a past president of the Lady Lions Club, and was currently of member of the Coupeville Lions Club and was the recipient of the Melvin Jones Award. She had also acted as the manager of the Gift Shop at Whidbey General Hospital for 10 years.
Mrs. Brayton was an avid bowler and had bowled in numerous local and national competitions. She and her husband Richard also enjoyed traveling. They had the pleasure of visiting many sights nationally and abroad.
She is survived by her husband, Richard of Coupeville, and by one brother, Laurence Lee Fraser of Rialto, Calif. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Jane, Lucinda, and Irma, and by four brothers, Walter, Clifford, Richard, and by one brother who died at birth.
Memorial services will be held at Coupeville United Methodist Church Thursday, May 1, at 2 p.m., with the Rev. Dr. Mary Boyd officiating. Memorials may be made to the Lions Eye Sight Program. Arrangements were entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel.
Afenir, Lynn - Tuesday, 22 Apr 2003
Lynn Clynn Christine Afenir, 54, died April 22, 2003, at Whidbey General Hospital, Coupeville, after a lengthy battle with cancer. She was born Sept. 17, 1948, in Salem, Ore., to Carl E. and Jean H. (Webb-Bowen) Hultenberg, Jr.
Mrs. Afenir was raised in Pendleton, Ore., and Lewiston, Idaho, and Vancouver. She graduated from Hudson Bay High School in Vancouver in 1966 and attended Western Washington College in Bellingham.
Lynn was employed as a corporate secretary in Portland, Ore., and then for Georgia Pacific in Bellingham for a number of years. She moved to Escondido, Calif., where she met her future husband and worked as an administrative assistant for the Escondido Memorial Hospital. She was medically retired from the hospital. Lynn and Robert D. Afenir were married in Las Vegas Dec. 5, 1987.
Following retirement, Lynn followed her husband’s career to New Jersey, North Carolina and eventually to Washington state in 1999. She had been a resident of Coupeville for the past four years. Lynn loved all things outdoors, but the joy she derived from interaction with fun loving people, was unparalleled in her life. It was said that she could liven the mood anywhere and under all conditions, with just her smile.
Mrs. Afenir is survived by her husband Robert at the family home in Coupeville; by one brother, Carl E. Hultenberg III of Eugene, Ore.; by two sisters, Leslie Hammond of Tucson, Ariz., and Joan Posey of Missouri City, Texas; and by her beloved cats, Walter, Amanda, Boots and Rocky. Her parents preceded her in death.
Private family memorial services were held Friday, April 25 at Coupeville Foursquare Church. Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow at a later date. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, in gratitude to the wonderful people who carry on a horrific struggle against all odds, while providing strength and comfort to those who suffer with this terrible disease.
Funeral arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor.
Terrill, Matthew Aaron - Monday, 21 Apr 2003
Matthew Aaron Terrill, 13, of Oak Harbor, died suddenly at home Monday, April 21, 2003.
Matthew was born in Coupeville May 2, 1989. He lived his entire life in Oak Harbor, where he attended Clover Valley Elementary School and was currently in eighth grade at Oak Harbor Middle School. Matthew loved sports, especially basketball and soccer. He also enjoyed playing computer games. He loved to read, and especially enjoyed reading science fiction and fantasy books. He was excited about his music and wanting to learn drums and guitar. Matthew was in the process of writing a book about D-Day. He had spoken of being a history teacher or a computer programmer.
Matthew is survived by his father and step-mother, Rick and Kelli Terrill of Oak Harbor and his mother and step-father, Maryanne Rassel and Marc Gilbert of Bothell; his three brothers, Joshua Terrill and Jacob Hummel, both of Oak Harbor and Kyle Gilbert of Bothell; grandparents, Dan and Ruth Terrill, Rodolfo and Gloria Fontecha and David and peg Fosnaugh, all of Oak Harbor; a step-grandfather, Donn Gilbert of San Francisco; great-grandparents, Ruth Hays of Bakersfield, Calif., Jim and Ruth Fosnaugh of Klemme, Iowa, Harris and Marie Alford of Pass Christian, Miss., and Beverly Boyd of Belmond, Iowa; aunts and uncles, Wallace and Terri Forslof of Arlington, Cristina and Matt Bennett of Marysville, Rhonda and Bryan Audiss of Anaheim Hills, Calif., and Jon and Trina Terrill of Oak Harbor; also, numerous cousins and other relatives. He was preceded in death by two great-grandfathers, Lawrence Hays and Walter Boyd.
A private family graveside service will be held Friday, April 25, at Maple Leaf Cemetery, followed by a memorial service (public invited) at 3 p.m. at Oak Harbor Middle School gymnasium (PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN LOCATION FROM PREVIOUS POSTS), Pastor Jerry Buss officiating. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity or to the Matthew Terrill Memorial Fund through any Whidbey Island Bank branch. Arrangements under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
