Susie Therese Swanson
Susie Therese Swanson, 96, died March 2, 2002, at Cascade Vista Convalescent Center in Redmond.
A funeral mass was March 6 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with a burial at Lower Hillside Cemetery.
Mrs. Swanson was born on Nov. 19, 1905, in Issaquah, the daughter of Michael and Susan Babik.
She was raised in Issaquah and graduated from Issaquah High School in 1923.
She was the last survivor of her class.
Mrs. Swanson worked as a waitress and part-time cook at the Grand Central Hotel in Issaquah.
It was there she met husband Adolph Swanson, a Swedish immigrant who worked at an auto shop across the street.
On July 23, 1927, they married in Everett.
She then began working for Western Farmers, now Darigold.
She spent 42 years with the company, first as an egg candler and later as a bookkeeper.
She retired at the age of 65.
Mrs. Swanson was a lifelong and active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
She loved singing and music.
Her husband preceded her in death in 1955.
Mrs. Swanson is survived by son Richard Swanson of Bellevue; five grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Remembrances may be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church or Medic 1.
Ena Harris Berger
Ena Harris Berger, 95, of Issaquah, died on Feb. 22, 2001. A graveside service was held Feb. 27 at the Lower Hillside Cemetery in Issaquah.
Mrs. Berger was born on Aug. 2, 1905, in San Francisco, Calif., the daughter of William and Frances Harris. The family traveled to British Columbia in 1907, to England in 1910, to Australia in 1913, to British Columbia in Canada in 1914, and to Washington in 1923.
Mrs. Berger attended Ellensburg Normal School and the University of Washington, and received a bachelor of arts degree from Central Washington University. She taught school in rural Montana for one year then moved to Snoqualmie where she taught from 1927 to 1940. From 1940 to 1962 she taught at the Highline School District.
In 1962 she received a contract with the Army to teach in Germany, Italy and Ethiopia. She returned to the Highline School District in 1966 to finish her teaching career, retiring in 1970. She moved to Issaquah in 1974.
Mrs. Berger is survived by nieces Virginia Scott and Sheryl Ettelman of Portland, Ore., and Diana Jimenez of Whittier, Calif.; great-nephew Malcolm Currie of Maple Valley; great-niece Lisa Guise of Enumclaw; and numerous other nieces and nephews.
The family suggests remembrances to the Ena Harris Berger Scholarship Fund c/o Central Washington University Foundation, 400 E. Eighth Ave., Ellensburg, WA 98926-7508.
George A. Lowe
George A. Lowe, 75, of Issaquah, died Feb. 24, 2001, at Providence Marianwood in Issaquah. A memorial service was held March 2 at Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home.
Mr. Lowe was born on Feb. 10, 1926, in Coshocton, Ohio, the son of George and Sarah Lowe. He was raised in Coshocton and graduated from Coshocton High School.
He served in the Army during World War II in the Japanese theater as a band member.
In 1951 he graduated from Ohio State University with a bachelor of science degree in criminology. In 1952 he married Marilyn Gay in Columbus, Ohio.
They moved to Mercer Island in 1972 and to the Issaquah-Fall City area in 1987.
He retired in 1989 after 33 years of service for the federal Department of Labor.
He was an avid golfer and played with the same group for more than 25 years at the Snoqualmie Falls Golf Course with a 9 a.m. Saturday starting time.
Survivors include his wife; daughter Colette Osborne of DesMoines; son Gregory Lowe of Bonney Lake; sisters Mary Lou Lockert of Springsfield, Ill., and Joyce Darr of Coshocton; six grandchildren; and one great-grandson.
Remembrances may be made to the American Cancer Society, or to Providence Foundation, 500 17th Ave., Seattle, WA 98124.
Lola Isabelle McBee Cowan
Lola Isabelle McBee Cowan, 72, of Issaquah, died on Feb. 19, 2001, at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland.
Services were held on Feb. 23 at the Tahoma National Cemetery, and a memorial gathering followed at the Four corners Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Maple Valley.
Mrs. Cowan was born on Nov. 11, 1928, in Indianola, Iowa, seventh of eleven children born to Anna Virgil Baysinger and Harvey Elmer McBee. She grew up in Alberta, Canada, and came back to the United States to graduate from Lincoln High School in Seattle in 1946.
She married Ted Cowan on Sept. 3, 1948. The couple moved to Issaquah in 1949.
Mrs. Cowan retired in 1994 as an educational assistant at Echo Glen Juvenile Prison after having worked for many years alongside her husband at Maple Valley Realty and Village Properties. She worked her way through school at Van de Kamp's Bakery and later at the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company. She was also a longtime member of the Roadside Chapel.
In her leisure hours Mrs. Cowan enjoyed the family cabin near Mount Rainier, hummingbirds and chickadees, traveling, swing music, and spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by brothers Sidney, John, Kenneth and Hollis, and a sister, Marita.
Survivors include her husband of Issaquah; daughters Valorie Zimmerman of Black Diamond and Kimberly Betts of Salome Ariz.; sons-in-law Bob and Rick; sisters Kathleen Stapp of Phoenix, Ariz., Betty Bouck of Drayton Valley, Alberta, JoAnne Flickinger of Anacortes, and Leanell Glatt of Spokane; brother Dennis of Calgary, Alberta; 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Barbara A. Pigort
Barbara A. Pigort, 83, of Sammamish, died March 1, 2001, at home. In keeping with her wishes no services will be held.
She was born on Nov. 3, 1917, in Saratoga, N.Y. She was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. and graduated from Erasmus Hall High School and Catherine Gibbs Academy. She lived in Long Island, N.Y., for many years and was an executive secretary for Pan American World Airways. She was a member of the Mayflower and Holland America Societies.
On June 15, 1970, she married Lyle Edward Pigort in Las Vegas, Nev. They moved to Issaquah in 1980. In her leisure time she enjoyed golfing, traveling, decorating and following the Mariners and Seahawks teams.
Mrs. Pigort is survived by her huband; son Harry Neu of Flat Rock, N.C.; daughter Barbara Romans of Tuscon, Ariz.; step-daughter Barbara Bills of Bellevue; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
Duane Michael Temcov
Duane Michael Temcov, 33, of Issaquah, died on Feb. 25, 2001. A funeral service was held March 3 at Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home.
Mr. Temcov was born on March 7, 1967, in Seattle, the son of Michael and Joanne Temcov and brother of Lisa Ann Correa. He graduated from Issaquah High School in 1985 and attended Western Washington University from 1985 to 1988.
Mr. Temcov had an infinite curiosity for knowledge and people. He cherished books, music and had a passion for photography. His artistic expression is left on thousands of photographs and slides. He maintained a disciplined weight-training regimen and liked to refinish furniture.
He and his father traveled to Bulgaria, England, Alaska, New Zealand and Australia. His father remembered his son as the most courageous person he has ever known.
Mr. Temcov is survived by his parents and sister.
Alice Wildman
Alice Wildman, 93, of Sammamish, died on March 2, 2001, at her home.
Mrs. Wildman was born on Nov. 26, 1907, in North Dartmouth, Mass., the daughter of Thomas and Mary Alice Broughton. She was raised in Fairhaven, Mass., and graduated from Fairhaven High School.
On Jan. 2, 1931, she married John Wildman in New York City. She resided in locations across the country due to her husband's Naval career. She moved to Issaquah from the San Francisco Bay area in 1983.
In her leisure time she enjoyed reading, crossword and word games, and spending time with her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1966 and a daughter, Dr. Carol Marion Wildman, in 1992.
Survivors include daughter Margaret A. Lucking of Sammamish; sons Jack B. Wildman of Williamsburg, Virg., and Robert A. Wildman of Coupeville; six grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Bonnie Castagno
A graveside service for Bonnie Castagno, 97, of Issaquah, is 11 a.m. March 8 at Hillside Cemetery in Issaquah.
Mrs. Castagno died on March 4 in Bellevue.
She was born on Sept. 28, 1902 in Madison, Wisc. At the age of 12 she and her family moved to Tacoma. In 1925 she married Frank Castagno and they moved to Issaquah to join his brother, Rem Castagno, who operated Renton Issaquah Auto Freight.
Mrs. Castagno was a 50-year charter member of the Issaquah Children's Orthopedic Hospital Guild, a longtime member of both the Issaquah Garden Club and the Rebekka Lodge of Issaquah.
She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and flower gardening. She was preceded in death by her husband in March 1990.
Mrs. Castagno is survived by her daughter, Joyce Lewis and her husband Jim of Bellevue; two grandchildren, Frank Lewis of Sammamish and Judy Richards and her husband Rod of Centralia; two great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests remembrances to Children's Hospital, P O Box C-5371, Seattle, WA. 98105 or Harborview Medical Trauma Center, 325 9th Ave., Seattle, WA, 98104.
Arrangements are by Flintofts Issaquah Funeral Home.
Chuck Jacobi
Chuck E. Jacobi, 73, of Issaquah, died on Feb. 27, 2000.
A memorial mass was held on March 6 by his family members in Valley, Neb. Mr. Jacobi was born on May 28, 1926, in Cedar Rapids, Neb., the son of Henry and Clare Jacobi. He was raised on a farm.
He "hiked all over Germany" with the Third Infantry Division of the U.S. Army in 1946.
He returned in 1950, and married Marilyn Gilliam. They settled in Valley, Neb., and for the next 35 years Mr. Jacobi worked selling irrigation systems to farmers throughout the western United States and Canada.
The family moved west in the 1960s. They lived in Yakima and Richland. They also spent time in Boise, Idaho; Billings, Mont.; and Incline Village, Nev.
Mr. Jacobi was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and American Legion Post No. 58 in Nebraska.
In his leisure hours Mr. Jacobi enjoyed his family, his grandchildren, laughter and good storytelling.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years; son Michael and his wife Jennifer Jacobi of New Orleans, La.; daughter Christine and her husband Sandy McDade of Issaquah; brother John Jacobi of Valley, Neb.; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Esther Taylor.
Remembrances are suggested to Alzheimers Association, 12721 30th Ave. N.E., Suite 101, Seattle, WA 98125.
Arrangements are by Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home.
Joshua Matthai
Joshua D. Matthai, 22, of Issaquah, died on Feb. 28, 2000, from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.
A gathering of family and friends was held on March 4 at the home of David and Pamela Matthai.
Mr. Matthai was born on Nov. 9, 1977, in Renton, the son of David Matthai and Diane Cruver. He graduated from Issaquah High School in 1996.
In his leisure hours, Mr. Matthai enjoyed sports, music and meeting new people. Survivors include his father of Issaquah; his mother of Auburn; brother Jerad of Mount Vernon; grandparents Rose Matthai of Issaquah and Elmer Woldseth of St. Peterburg, Fla.; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Remembrances are suggested to Kids at Risk, c/o Carole Haigood at any Key Bank Branch.
Arrangements are by Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home.
Joseph Palermo
Joseph Thomas Palermo, 81, died on Feb. 28, 2000.
A funeral service was held on March 4 at Green's bellevue Funeral Chapel. Burial followed at Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue.
Mr. Palermo was born on Aug. 24, 1918, in Philadephia, Penn. He served in the Army during World War II. He spent his career as a Prudential insurance agent.
Survivors include his wife Anna of Issaquah; daughter Nancy Palermo of Issaquah; son Joseph Palermo Jr. and wife Joyce of Issaquah; three grandchildren of Issaquah; and sisters Dolores Furia and Rita Rosa, both of Philadelphia.
Viola E. Koontz
Viola E. Koontz, 89, of Issaquah, formerly of Lead, died Feb. 18, 2002.
Private burial was at Mountain Lawn Cemetery in Lead.
Mrs. Koontz was born Dec. 19, 1912, in Latemen, Kan., the daughter of William and Nettie Rose.
She was raised in Lead, where she married her husband of 57 years, Robert Boyer Koontz, in 1931.
She lived in Lead most of her life, until her husband's death in 1989.
Mrs. Koontz was a nurse and homemaker.
She loved to paint, and do cross-stitch and ceramics.
She is remembered by family and friends for her sense of humor and courage.
Survivors include two daughters; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Matthew K. Johnson
Matthew K. Johnson, 29, of Issaquah, died on March 5, 2001, at Providence Hospital in Everett. A graveside service was held on March 9 at the Lower Hillside Cemetery in Issaquah.
Mr. Johnson was born on May 24, 1971, in Renton, Wash., the son of Tim and Dorothy Johnson. He was raised in Renton and graduated from Hazen High School.
He married Carole L. Doty on Aug. 20, 1994, in Renton. Mr. Johnson was employed as a PC technician for Providence Hospital. He played semi-pro football and also played basketball and baseball. Mr. Johnson was an avid baseball card collector and he enjoyed camping.
Mr. Johnson is survived by his wife of Issaquah; daughters Audrey and Eleanora; son Pete; his parents of Renton; brother Christopher of Kent; sister Sheri Willis of Renton; and grandparents Kelly and Louise Johnson of Federal Way and grandfather Bill Griffin of Kent.
Joan Karvia
Joan Karvia, 86, died on March 6, 2001, at her home in Issaquah.
In keeping with her wishes, no services will be held.
Mrs. Karvia was born on July 9, 1914, in Renton, the daughter of Dan and Virginia Boni. She attended Issaquah Schools.
Mrs. Karvia married Walter E. Karvia on June 15, 1946, in Renton. She worked for Washington Co-op (now Darigold) and the Grange Mercantile Store in Issaquah for many years.
She was a member of the Issaquah Valley Grange #581, the Albert Larson Post #3436 Veterans of Foreign Wars Women's Auxiliary, Children's Orthopedic Guild, and the Issaquah Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxillary. She was a 62-year member of the Gilman Rebekah Lodge #59, and treasurer of the Issaquah Valley Grange for 30 years.
She loved bowling and gardening and was an avid fan of the Seattle Sonics and the Seattle Mariners.
Survivors include brothers Louie Boni and Dan Boni, both of Issaquah, Angelo Boni of Sammamish; sister Mary Rider of Seattle; and four nieces and two nephews. Remembrances are suggested to Children's Hospital Foundation or your favorite charity.
Thelma C. Norman
Thelma C. Norman, 97, of Issaquah, died March 11, 2001, after suffering a stroke recently.
A joint memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. March 17 at St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church, 325 S.E. Darst St., for Mrs. Norman and daughter Judith A. Norman, who died March 5, 2001. A reception for Thelma Norman will follow at Village Theatre, 303 Front St. N.
Mrs. Norman was born on Aug. 23, 1903, in Tolt, the daughter of Godfrey and Beatrix Halverson. She was raised in Tolt and later attended the University of Washington, where she was affiliated with the Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
She married Donald Overly Norman in 1929. Following his death in 1947, she moved her family from Seattle to the Snoqualmie Valley. In 1969 she moved to Issaquah.
Her business career began at Snoqualmie Falls Lumber Co., followed by a long career in the life insurance business. While at Lincoln National Life she received many awards. She was most proud of earning national Woman of the Year status. She retired from the life-insurance business in 1974 and went into the real-estate business in 1975 with Wallace and Wheeler in Issaquah. She retired again in 1990 at the age of 86.
Mrs. Norman was a founder of the Mount Si Business and Professional Women's Club, an active member of the Snoqualmie Valley Arts League and the All Arts League of Issaquah. The was a founding member of Village Theatre and remained on the board until 1995.
In recent years she enjoyed working on her computer, and wrote three books as a legacy to her family.
She was preceded in death by son Donald C. Norman Jr. in 1998.
She is survived by two sons, Tom Norman and wife Joan of Ogen, Utah, and Jim Norman and wife Joann of Seattle; daughter-in-law Judy C. Norman of Bellevue; 10 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances to memorial funds at either St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church or Village Theatre.
Walter B. Reiter
Walter B. Reiter, 70, of Sammamish, died on March 10, 2001, at home. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on March 17 at Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church, 22818 S.E. Eighth St., Sammamish.
Mr. Reiter was born Nov. 12, 1930, in Forest Lawn, N.Y.
He attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass.
In 1955 he enlisted in the Army. He earned National Defense Service and Good Conduct medals before his discharge in 1955.
On June 18, 1972, he married Linda in Seattle.
He was an architect with NBBJ Group in Seattle and retired in 1995.
He is survived by his wife of Sammamish; son Joel Reiter; and daughter Laura.
Memorial donations may be made to the Northwest Kidney Foundation.
Arrangements are by Bleitz Funeral Home in Bellevue.
David Briggs
David M. Briggs, 67, of Issaquah, died on March 8, 2000, at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue.
A memorial service is March 15 at Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home.
Mr. Briggs was born on Nov. 18, 1912, in Erie, Pa., the son of James and Grace Briggs.
His grandfather, Murry Briggs, was founder of the Sullivan Democrat, now known as the Sullivan Daily Times, which was the first newspaper in Sullivan, Pa.
Mr. Briggs married Helen Baldenwick on Jan. 1, 1945. They lived in Western Springs, Ill., until 1950 when they moved to Mercer Island. In 1984 they moved to Issaquah.
Mr. Briggs was employed as an engineer for the Boeing Co. prior to his retirement in 1977.
In his leisure hours Mr. Briggs enjoyed books and poetry, and he and his wife shared a love of horses and training collie dogs.
His wife preceded him in death in 1996.
Survivors include several cousins and very good friends.
Remembrances are suggested to the Alzheimers Association of Western and Central Washington, 1422 N.W. 85th St., Seattle WA 98117.
Arrangements are by Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home.
Wendell Giberson
Former Issaquah resident Wendell Giberson, 82, of Lake Tapps, died on March 9, 2000, at his home.
A memorial service was March 13 at Creator Lutheran Church in Sumner.
Mr. Giberson was born in Montesano on June 13, 1917, and was raised on the family farm in the Wynoochee Valley. He graduated from Montesano High School in 1936.
He was a 4-H member from 1928 to 1937, served as a delegate to the 4-H Club Congress in Chicago in 1938, and served in the United States Army during World War II.
Mr. Giberson worked for Consolidated Aircraft and as a civilian for the military. He was a missile technician and attended numerous schools throughout the United States during that time.
He retired in 1974 and lived in Issaquah from 1969 to 1989.
In his leisure hours, Mr. Giberson enjoyed fishing, bowling, hunting, traveling and spending time with his family.
Mr. Giberson never married. He lived as a member of the Bert and Dorothy Giberson family for the last 35 years of his life. He was preceded in death by his sister Helen Pinnon in 1963.
Survivors include brothers Ebert Giberson of Sumner, Allen Giberson of Montesano and Frank Giberson of Concord, Calif.; and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Arrangements are by Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home.
Steve Kerola
Former Issaquah resident Steve Kerola, 50, died on March 1 in Silverton, Ore., of natural causes.
A memorial is at 11 a.m. March 31 at St. Philomena Catholic Church, 1790 south 222, in Des Moines.
Mr. Kerola was born on May 20, 1949, the son of Agnes and Alvin Kerola.
He graduated in 1968 from Issaquah High School, where he was on the wrestling team. He won the 1968 Washington State wrestling championship with an undefeated season at 168 pounds.
Mr. Kerola was in the Army National Guard Reserve for 16 years.
He graduated from Western Washington University and moved to Oregon to begin his career in education.
He was a respected teacher at Gervais High School for 16 years where he taught art and industrial arts, and coached wrestling.
Mr. Kerola initiated a student home building project where his students spent a year planning, designing and building a home.
The Oregon Building Congress named him the "Oregon Technology Educator of the Year" in 1994 for his teaching excellence.
For the last seven years, Mr. Kerola operated his own business, "Oregon Oak Products."
In his leisure hours he enjoyed the company of his many friends at the Town House Cafe, riding his custom Harley Davidson motorcycle, camping, fishing, woodworking, collecting, gardening and visiting with family.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Survivors include sisters Mary Lynn Boland and her husband Jim of Fairfax Station, Va., and Karen Crotty and her husband Jim of Des Moines; brother Don Kerola of Houston, Texas; and six nieces and one nephew.
Remembrances are suggested to the American Diabetes Association.
Edith F. Stewart
Issaquah resident Edith (Pearson) F. Stewart, 91, died on March 10, 2000, at Providence Marianwood.
A graveside inurnment service is at 11 a.m. March 18 at Cedar Lawns Memorial Park in Redmond.
She was born on March 4, 1909, in High Point, the daughter of Peter and Kristine Pearson. She graduated from Issaquah High School.
Mrs. Stewart was employed as an insurance claims adjuster for many years.
The former Mercer Island resident enjoyed family and flower gardening during leisure time.
Survivors include three sisters, Linnea Larson of Kenmore, Anne Johnson of Issaquah and Myrtle Hanavan of Oceanside, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her husband Benjamin in 1992.
Remembrances are suggested to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 745 Front St., S., Issaquah, WA 98027 or a favorite charity.
Arrangements are by Flintoft's Issaquah Funeral Home.
