Richard R. Ondras
Richard Robert "Dick" Ondras, 69, died Feb. 13, 2000, at his home in Bellevue. A memorial service is 11 a.m. Feb. 19 at Bleitz Funeral Home Chapel in Seattle. Mr. Ondras was born in Beasley, Texas. He served as a corporal in the Army from 1951 to 1953.
He married Barbara J. Kindle on March 7, 1953, in Issaquah, where they resided for 44 years.
He retired from McKinstry Sheet Metal in 1992, and was a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local #66.
He was remembered as a hard-working, family man, a Texas boy at heart who enjoyed gospel and old-time country music.
He is survived by his wife; two sons, Scott and wife Kathy of Snohomish, and Robert of LaVergne, Tenn; three daughters, Louise and husband Bill Perry of Fall City, Sheila and Dan Lyon of Marysville, and Tracey Mines of Bellevue; brothers Eugene of Huntsville, Texas, and Joel of San Antonio, Texas; 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Remembrances are suggested to Evergreen Hospice.
Arrangements are by Bleitz of Bellevue Funeral Home.
Jill Matthies
Jill Matthies, 59, died on Feb. 9, 2001, after a brief battle with cancer.
A memorial celebration will be held on March 3 on the "Spirit of Seattle."
Ms. Matthies was born on Nov. 12, 1941, in Stillwater, Okla. She received her bachelors degree from Oregon State University.
Ms. Matthies moved to the Puget Sound area in 1961, where she earned her masters and doctoral degrees in education at Seattle University. Her fondest memories included her experience as unit leader and assistant camp director at Camp Sealth on Vashon island; teaching at the American Community School in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; travels throughout Africa, Pakistan, Egypt and the Orient; and her 33 years of work as teacher, head of conservation education, and principal within the Bellevue School District.
She will always be remembered for her compassion for people and animals, her love of the outdoors, and her passion for child-centered education.
At the time of her death, Ms. Matthies lived in a home that she built on the south end of Whidbey Island. She was the executive director for the Northwest Initiative for Teaching and Learning, through which she advised and mentored principals and teachers in the Issaquah School District. She also taught in the Danforth Leadership program at the University of Washington.
Survivors include her daughter, Dionne Hersh-Matthies, and her partner, Carol Beck of Issaquah; brother and sister-in-law Bart and Corinne Matthies; parents William Matthies and Janet Bowman Matthies; niece Kimberly Matthies; and dog "Outlaw Josie Wales."
A memorial scholarship fund for teacher education has been created in her honor. Contributions may be sent to Washington Mutual Bank, 10550 N.E. Eighth St., Bellevue, WA 98004, directed to The Jill Matthies Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Julene A. Wilde
Julene A. Wilde, 66, of Sammamish, died on Feb. 11, 2001, at home. A reception in her memory was held on Feb. 17.
Mrs. Wilde was born on Dec. 3, 1934, in Tagus, N.D., the daughter of Harry and Mildred Mandt. She lived in Tagus until the age of 7, at which time her family moved to Tacoma. She was a 1953 graduate of Lincoln High School in Tacoma.
On Oct. 18, 1958, she married Fred. J. Wilde. The couple, along with their three girls, have made their home in Tacoma; Beaverton, Ore.; and Issaquah. Mrs. Wilde enjoyed arts and crafts, reading, feeding the wild birds, golf, gardening and painting. She especially enjoyed china painting.
Mrs. Wilde is survived by her husband of Sammamish; daughters Kari Freiboth of Port Orchard, Lisa Crowe of Eastsound, and Geri Wilde of Seattle; brothers Harry Mandt of Tacoma, Gordon Mandt of Gig Harbor and Darwin Mandt of Tacoma; sisters Darlene Kolinski of Puyallup, and Joann Mandt and Suzie Nelson, both of Tacoma; and three granddaughters. The family suggests memorial donations be may be made to the Virginia Mason Cancer Research Center in Seattle.
Arrangements are by Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home.
Lester S. Anderson
Issaquah resident Lester Soule Anderson, 85, died at home on Jan. 24, 2000. A memorial was conducted on Feb. 19 at the Providence Point clubhouse.
He was born on Dec. 1, 1914, in Evanston, Ill, the son of James and Grace Anderson. The family moved to New Jersey during his early teen years and he graduated from Ridgewood High School in 1934.
Mr. Anderson met his future wife Katherine on Halloween 1935. The couple married June 8, 1940.
He was employed by the Curtiss-Wright Corp. Aeronautical Division from 1936-57.
Mr. Anderson also spent 17 years as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State. Accompanied by his family, he served in Costa Rica and Guatamela. He was honored in 1972 by appearing in the first Who's Who in Government and retired in December 1974.
After retirement, the couple lived in Florida and Maine before moving to Issaquah in 1990.
Mr. Anderson was a member of the American Foreign Service Association, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Issaquah Amateur Radio Club, American Radio Relay League, AARP and was a Red Cross emergency worker for Washington, King County and the City of Issaquah.
He helped organize the Providence Point emergency response team.
During leisure time, Mr. Anderson enjoyed photography, collecting autographs of famous aviators (more than 600), theater, singing, dancing, was fluent in Spanish, ham radio operating, computers and politics.
Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Deborah Anderson of Portland, Ore., and Barbara Jordan and her husband Mike of Bellevue and four grandchildren.
Remembrances are suggested to Evergreen Community Hospice, 12822-124th Lane N.E., Kirkland, WA 98034.
Arrangements are by Bleitz of Bellevue.
William C. Hickok
Longtime Issaquah resident William "Fairly Honest Bill" Charles Hickok, 68, died on Feb. 13, 2000, in Seattle.
A memorial was conducted Feb. 19 at the Issaquah Highlands Camping Club Lodge. Internment was at Floral Hills Cemetery.
Mr. Hickok was an accomplished gunsmith and belonged to the Washington Arms Collectors and the Snoqualmie Valley Rifle Club.
Survivors include sons William Hickok and his wife Marci, and Kevin Hickok; daughters Cheryl Schmidt, and Susan Hickok; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia in 1966 and a grandson Patrick Hickok in 1995.
Remembrances are suggested to the National Rifle Association.
Arrangements are by American Memorial in Renton.
Evelyn K. Johnson
Issaquah resident Evelyn Kelly Johnson, 79, died on Feb. 14, 2000, at her son's home in Issaquah.
A graveside service was conducted Feb. 18 at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent.
She was born on April, 28, 1920, in Normal, Ill., the daughter of Guy and Eva Kelly. She was raised in Leroy, Ill., and served in the U.S. Women's Army Corps during World War II as a secretary and stenographer.
She married Eric Johnson of Kearney, N.J. The family moved to Houston, Texas, in 1961.
In 1984, Mrs. Johnson retired to Mission Viejo, Calif., to be near her daughter. In 1999, she moved to Bellevue to live near her son.
During leisure hours, she enjoyed square dancing, politics and spending time with family, especially her many grandchildren.
Survivors include sons Karl Johnson of Issaquah and Stewart Johnson of Southlake, Texas; daughter Linda Shown of San Juan Capistrano, Calif.; sisters Phyllis Devereaux of San Marcos, Texas, and Marion Spratt of Leroy, Ill.; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Arrangements are by Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home.
Henry E. Orzechowski
Issaquah resident Henry E. Orzechowski, 89, died on Feb. 17, 2000, at Eastside Group Health Hospital.
A funeral service was conducted Feb. 22 at Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home. Burial followed at the Hillside Cemetery.
He was born Aug. 1, 1910, in Cleveland, Ohio, the son of Polish immigrant parents Frank and Thelma Orzechowski. He was raised and schooled in Cleveland. Mr. Orzechowski served in the U.S. Army for 23 years. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1957.
In 1944, he married Florence Goddard in Kentucky. He and his family lived in Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana and Japan, prior to moving to Issaquah in 1957.
Mr. Orzechowski worked for King County as a clerk and retired in 1975. He was a member of the F. & A.M. in Kentucky.
During lesirue hours, Mr. Orzechowski enjoyed fishing, golfing and was an avid outdoorsman.
Survivors include his wife of Issaquah; daughter Sharon Ofner of Kirkland; son Guy Orzechowski of Issaquah; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Elaine Risser, on Sept. 18, 1988. Arrangements are by Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home.
Mary T. Beran
Mary T. Beran, 91, of Providence Point, died Feb.18, 2002, at Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue.
In keeping with her wishes, no service will be held.
Mrs. Beran was born Nov. 21, 1910, in Omaha, Neb., the daughter of Joseph and Katherine Ruzicka.
She was raised in Omaha and graduated from high school there.
She married Thomas R. Beran on April 8, 1933, in Omaha.
She worked as a secretary for Union Pacific Railroad.
In 1980 they moved to Issaquah.
She was a member of the Western Boehiam Fraternal Association.
In her leisure time she enjoyed fishing, camping, bowling and sewing.
Mrs. Beran is survived by her husband of Issaquah; son Robert T. Beran of Redmond; and two grandchildren.
Raymond J. "Murphy" Klepaczyk
Raymond J. "Murphy" Klepaczyk, 82, of Issaquah, died on Feb. 24, 2002, at his home.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. March 1 at Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home.
A reception will follow.
Mr. Klepaczyk was born on Aug. 26, 1919, in Detroit, Mich., the son of John and Stella Klepaczyk.
He was raised in Detroit.
During World War II he served as a B-17 pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
On Feb. 12, 1943, he married Frances "Klep" Knago in Los Angeles.
The family moved to Issaquah in 1958.
During his career, Mr. Klepaczyk worked for Seattle Transit, Fasano's Restaurant in Issaquah and had served as assistant postmaster of Issaquah.
He was a member of the Issaquah Fraternal Organizations of Eagles and the Issaquah Lions Club.
He enjoyed working in his garden and taking care of his yard.
Mr. Klepaczyk was preceded in death by his wife in 1993.
He is survived by sons Alan J. Klepaczyk of Lenexa, Kan. and Charles W. Klepaczyk of Phoenix, Ariz.; brother Dan Klepaczyk of Detroit, Mich.; sister Joann Pierczynski of Detroit; and one granddaughter.
Remembrances may be made to Providence Hospice or the American Cancer Society.
Lutilda Richardson Pearce
Lutilda "Grama Lu" Richardson Pearce, 81, died Feb. 19, 2002 at the Issaquah Care Center.
A funeral service was held Feb. 23 at the Issaquah Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Burial followed at Hillside Cemetery in Issaquah.
Mrs. Pearce was born on July 16, 1920, in Snowflake, Ariz., the daughter of Mark and Mary Richardson.
She was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah.
In 1936 she married William Earl Allred, and in September of 1953 they moved to Renton.
In 1959 they moved to Issaquah, later to Redmond then finally to Sammamish.
Mrs. Pearce was self-employed as an art instructor and worked at Little Learners in Bellevue.
She was also a foster parent.
William preceded her in death on Feb. 10, 1963.
In December of 1973, she married Alton Pearce, who preceded her in death Dec. 22, 1981.
She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Redmond Second Ward, and enjoyed temple work at the Latter-day Saints Temple in Bellevue, working on genealogy, painting, ceramics, leatherwork and gardening.
Her family remembers her as a generous and caring woman with a loving spirit.
Mrs. Pearce is survived by daughters Marylu Kern of Sammamish and Martha Gloria Hansen of Soap Lake; sons Michal Patteson of Sammamish, John Allred of Soap Lake and Robert Allred of Lynnwood; sisters Lenore Murray of Roosevelt, Utah, and Beverly McMillan of Bountiful, Utah; brother Melvin Richardson of Idaho Falls, Idaho; 19 grandchildren; and 43 great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances go to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints General Missionary Fund, 50 East North Temple 3NW, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150.
Gail Marie Potoshnik
Gail Marie Potoshnik, 41, of Renton, died Feb. 9, 2002.
A memorial service was held Feb. 13 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church with graveside service at Greenwood Memorial Park, Renton.
Mrs. Potoshnik was born on Oct. 27, 1960 in Spokane, the daughter of Robert and Joan Schlemlein.
She graduated from Issaquah High School and Green River Community College.
She was employed as a physical therapy assistant at Valley Medical Center in Renton.
Mrs. Potoshnik is survived by her husband Daniel Potoshnik of Renton; daughter Ashley Marie Potoshnik of Renton; son Aaron Potoshnik of Renton; parents Robert and Joan Schlemlein of Issaquah; and brothers Garth Schlemlein of Issaquah, Keith Schlemlein of Tacoma and Kirk Schlemlein of Snohomish.
The family suggests memorials be sent to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements are by Faull-Stokes Mortuary, Renton.
Isabel F. Capps
A private family graveside service for Isabel F. Capps, 96, of Sammamish, is scheduled. Mrs. Capps died Feb. 19, 2001, at her daughter's home in Sammamish.
Mrs. Capps was born on April 14, 1904, in England, the daughter of John and Martha McPherson. She was raised in Glasgow, Scotland, where she attended school. She and her sister moved to Southern California in 1922. She was employed at Dunn and Bradstreet as a clerk typist for a number of years.
In 1931 she married Frank Capps in Long Beach, Calif. She continued her working career until the birth of her two children. In 1955 she returned to the work force working at Lockheed Aircraft Corp. She and her family moved to Burbank, Calif., where they raised their family. Following the death of her husband in 1995 she moved to Redmond to live with her daughter. She felt that living in the Pacific Northwest reminded her of Scotland.
Mrs. Capps enjoyed spending time with her family, music, hiking, riding roller coasters, playing tennis, her working career, and was an avid reader. She attended Sammamish Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by daughters Marilyn C. Knapp and Kathleen Slinkard, both of Gardnerville, Nev.; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
George Elmer Heiser
George Elmer Heiser, 88, of Issaquah, died on Feb. 23, 2001.
A graveside service was held on Feb. 26.
Mr. Heiser is survived by daughters Rosalie Cluck of Kent and Gwen Dragoo of Issaquah; son Lawrence Tempest of Puyallp; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Arrangements are by Green's Funeral Home in Bellevue.
Dr. Mark A. Westenbroek
Dr. Mark A. Westenbroek, 47, died on Feb. 17, 2001, at his home in Issaquah. A memorial service was held on Feb. 25 at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Bellevue. A second service will be held in July in Charlevoix, Mich.
Dr. Westenbroek was born on Aug. 23, 1953, in Holland, Mich., the son of Roger and Elaine Bussies-Westenbroek. He was a 1971 graduate of Charlevoix HIgh School and a graduate of Michigan State School of Veterinary Medicine with high honors in 1976.
Dr. Westenbroek worked in the Bellevue and Renton area since coming to Washington in 1980. He was a member of the AVMA and WSVMA, and was also an active member of the Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Bellevue. In his leisure hours Dr. Westenbroek enjoyed photography, music, fishing and hiking.
Survivors include his wife Ruth; sons Tyler, 6, and Andrew, 2; parents Roger and Elaine Westenbroek; brother Michael and his wife Denise Westenbroek of Charlevoix, Mich.; sisters Sherry and her husband Dan Hawthorne of Vancouver, Susan and husband Joseph Kaufman of Appelton, Wisc., and Sally and her husband Serge Weiss of Rochester, Mich.
Remembrances are suggested in Dr. Westenbroek's name to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, or to Group Health Hospice.
Arrangements are by Bleitz Funeral Home in Seattle.
Helen Louise Wickersham
Longtime Issaquah resident Helen Louise Wickersham, 82, died on Feb. 19, 2001.
A memorial service was held on Feb. 27 at Westminster Chapel in Bellevue. A graveside service followed at Sunset Hills Memorial Park.
Mrs. Wickersham was born on Oct. 1, 1918, in Seattle. She grew up in Yakima where her father owned the local grocery store in Selah. She attended Yakima Junior College before moving to Seattle.
She married Fred Wickersham in 1940 in Seattle. They built their home in Issaquah, close to Preston.
The Wickershams were active members at Westminster Chapel in Bellevue for 35 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1985.
Survivors include sons John Robert Wickersham and his wife Jeanette of Bremerton, and Mark Brian Wickersham and his wife Mary Linda of Renton; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Remembrances are suggested to the American Cancer Society, 14450 N.E. 29th Pl, Suite 220, Bellevue, WA 98007, or to Evergreen Hospice, 12822 124th Lane N.E., Kirkland, WA 98034.
Arrangements are by Green Funeral Home in Bellevue.
Diane M. Jahns
Diane M. Jahns, 34, formerly of Issaquah, died Feb. 24, 2002, in Mesa, Ariz., from complications related to anorexia-bulimia.
A memorial mass was on March 3 at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Ms. Jahns was born on Aug. 15, 1967, in Bellevue, and shared her birthday with her great-grandmother, Rose Stolz.
She graduated from Issaquah High School and attended college with the goal of becoming a registered nurse or therapist.
Ms. Jahns received many scholastic awards in high school and college, and was a member of the National Honor Society.
She excelled in various sports activities including soccer, softball and water-skiing, and she even tried skydiving.
She was elected manager of her high school drill team.
Her supervisor at the Seattle Veteran's Hospital recognized her as an outstanding employee.
She settled in Mesa where she loved the warm desert climate and enjoyed being near her brother and his family.
She is survived by parents Henry and Kathy; older sister Teri; and younger brother Andrew.
Remembrances can be made to www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.
Carol D. Malmassari
Carol D. Malmassari, 46, of Issaquah, died Feb. 28, 2002, at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue.
A memorial service is 2 p.m. March 9 at Bellevue First Presbyterian Church in the Chapel Building, 1720 100th St., Bellevue.
Mrs. Malmassari was born on Sept. 25, 1955, in San Gabriel, Calif., the daughter of Allan and Patricia Berg.
She was raised in Southern California and graduated from Polytechnic High School in Riverside.
She attended Rawhide Vocational School in Escondido, Calif. She lived in Venezuela for five years prior to moving to the Bellevue/Issaquah area.
On Jan. 24, 1991, she married Fred Malmassari in Bellevue.
They made their home in Issaquah.
Mrs. Malmassari was employed by Northwest Discovery in Bellevue in retail sales, and later worked as an office manager for Dr. Robert Brown at Front Street Chiropractic for a number of years.
Her mother is a well-known author, and Mrs. Malmassari wrote a column for the fan club's quarterly publication, called the Quizzing Glass.
She enjoyed animals, especially her kittens, and was instrumental in rescuing numerous cats.
She also liked to garden, decorate her home, entertain, be with people and shop.
She also volunteered for the Issaquah Library and the Bellevue First Presbyterian Church library.
Mrs. Malmassari is survived by her husband of Issaquah; her mother of Kirkland; and brother David Berg his wife Sheri of Kent.
The family suggests remembrances to PAWS or a favorite pet charity.
Vivian L. Burman Mass
Vivian L. Burman Mass, 77, of Bellevue, died March 1, 2002, at Swedish Providence Hospital in Seattle.
Mrs. Mass was born on Jan. 2, 1925, in Preston, the daughter of Nels and Nannie Burman.
She was raised in Preston and graduated from Issaquah High School in 1943.
On Oct. 20, 1945, she married Arthur R. Mass in Seattle.
The family lived in Seattle until 1962, when they moved to Bellevue.
She was a member of Vasa Lodge.
She enjoyed listening to music, watching baseball, football and horse racing, and taking trips to Reno, Nev.
Mrs. Mass is survived by her husband of Preston; son Ronald Mass of Bellevue; daughter Carol Beard of North Pole, Alaska; sister Enid Johanson of Preston; and three grandchildren.
The funeral service on March 5 was followed by burial at Preston Cemetery.
Remembrances may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
