JAMES T. ASHE
James Thomas Ashe, 94, died March 14, 2003.
He was born Feb. 21, 1909, in Sylva, NC. He had been a long-time resident of Darrington, WA.
James was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Eva Estella Ashe, Feb. 14, 2003.
A family graveside service will be held 11 a.m., Tues., March 18, at the Darrington Cemetery. Memorial service will follow at 12 noon at Darrington First Baptist Church for family and friends. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
DAVID D. DAVIS
David Douglas "Doug" Davis passed away Feb. 22, 2003, surrounded by family and friends.
Doug was born Dec. 16, 1927 in Oakland, CA. He was raised in Edmonton, Alberta and Vancouver, B.C., Canada.
Doug joined the Merchant Marines in Canada, traveling up and down the West Coast. At the outbreak of World War II, he remained in the Merchant Marines, delivering fuel and supplies to naval ships in the South Pacific. After the war, he returned to Canada for a short interval, working with the Canadian government clearing land for what later became a portion of the Alcan Highway and also held a gold miner’s license, which he pursued for a short while.
Doug returned to the United States and began his sheet metal career in 1947.This was interrupted in 1951 by the Korean war. He served with the U.S. Army in Germany until 1953. Upon returning home, Doug resumed his sheet metal career until his retirement from Zesbaugh, Inc. in 1988.
Doug was a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 66. He was also an active member of St. Fletcher Daniel Post #4137, Seattle, where he served many positions including commander and for over 30 years quarter master. He resigned that position a short time before his second marriage.
Doug married Gail Weerda Sept. 21, 1991, in Seattle. They moved back to her home town the following April. They enjoyed his hobby of photography. They also enjoyed fishing, canning, gourmet cooking, gardening, to name a few. Doug will be greatly missed by his loving wife Gail; his two daughters, Shawna L. Graves and Kelly J. Mcragie; six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren; numerous sisters-in-law; nephews; nieces; and friends.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mildred R. Davis; his mother, Goldie Burwash; sister Beatrice and her husband, Al Chadwick. A celebration of life will be held at American Legion Post 92, Stanwood, 1 p.m., Sat., March 22.
ARVILLA M. FOLDEN
Arvilla Marie (Howick) Folden was born in Seattle Aug. 14, 1907 and departed this life to join the Lord March 1, 2003, after 95 fulfilling years.
She is survived by six siblings, Marvin Howick, Agnes Werner, Lenore Blankman, Norman Howick, Edward Howick and Lucille Jensen; along with her two daughters, Karla and Mary-Helen; and grandchildren, Michael, Kirsten, Kelda and Tad; as well as two great-grandchildren, Jacob and Kyla; and numerous nieces and nephews.
At the age of 12, she moved with her family to Stanwood. She graduated from Cabrini School of Nursing in 1933. She married Peter T. Folden in 1938 and had 52 wonderful years of marriage, before Peter passed away March 2, 1990. She has been a resident of Washington Oakes in Everett for the last 13 years.
She was a member of Peace Lutheran Church and a charter member of Stanwood Area Historical Society. She did volunteer work for Snohomish Blood Bank for 10 years and with Josephine Sunset Home for four years. A celebration of life service was held Thurs., March 6 at Peace Lutheran Church in Silvana. Donations may be made to Peace Lutheran Church in Silvana or The Gene and Irene Wockner Hospice Center in Kirkland.
BARTLEY J. FREELIN
Bartley J. Freelin was born April 12, 1925, in Moberly, MO. He married on Dec. 4, 1947, to Norma Stanton in Seattle. One son Stanton Jay precedes Bartley in death.
They are survived by one daughter, Rebecca, married to Thomas Cox of Aurora, OR; one grandchild, Jason Steeves, married to Ashley, of Aurora; one great-grandchild, Micah Steeves of Aurora; and one brother, Jack Freelin of Moberly, MO.
Bartley served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He had been a salesman all of his life. He realized the American Dream upon his retirement in 1988, by starting SST Package Express, a small company that thrives today. He was an active member of the Warm Beach Senior Community following his second retirement.
Memorial services were held Sat., March 15, at Warm Beach Free Methodist Church. Memorials may be made to the "Free Methodist Missions" in care of the Warm Beach Free Methodist Church, 20815 Marine Dr., Stanwood, WA 98292. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
ELEANOR L. HELMS
Eleanor Lucille Overton was born Nov. 10, 1916, in Seattle and died on March 2, 2003 in Gresham, OR after a brief illness.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Julian Helms, in 1997. Eleanor was raised in Everett, and after graduating from Everett High School in 1935, she worked as a beautician until meeting the love of her life, Julian. They were married in 1937 and settled in Everett, where they established the family business, Helms Auto Electric. For many years, Eleanor was bookkeeper for the business. In 1968 they moved to Marysville, and Eleanor worked for several years for Viacom Cable Television.
Upon retirement, Eleanor and Julian moved to Tyee Beach on Camano Island. After Julian's death, Eleanor continued to live at Tyee Beach, where she had many friends, until a few months ago, when she went to Gresham Fairlawn Retirement Center to be near her daughter Judy.
Eleanor was very proud of her family consisting of three married children: Ward and Elizabeth Helms of Redmond, WA, Judith and Howard Berg of Gresham, OR, and Stephen and Louise Helms of Mead, WA; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was a prolific quilter, making quilts for each of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Other hobbies included gardening, playing pinochle and being with family and friends. A memorial service will be held at Camano Senior and Community Center March 22, at 3 p.m. Donations may be made to the Camano Senior and Community Center or the American Diabetes Association.
ANNA B. HYLER
Anna B. Hyler, 86, of Stanwood, died Wed., March 12, 2003, in a local nursing home.
She was born July 20, 1916, in Providence, RI. Anna had lived in Danville, VA for many years, before moving to the Stanwood area nine years ago. She was a member of the Women's Democratic Club, Lighthouse for the Association of the Blind, and a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, Stanwood, where she loved serving the Lord. Anna also enjoyed traveling. It was the summer of 1994 that Anna first came to Washington State for a visit with her daughter, Sandra, and the family. Anna liked it so much she returned later in the fall of that same year to settle and live in the Stanwood community. She often commented how much she loved her new home and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and how much they added to her life.
During the last nine years here, Anna made many new friends and discovered many new places along the way. Anna also was an avid baseball fan and loved her Seattle Mariners. She would listen intently to every game she could on the radio, hoping that some day they might win a World Series.
Yes, Anna, brought a lot of joy to many people; now she is bringing much joy to her Heavenly Father, for she is finally home. She is survived by two daughters, Sandra Gaines of Camano Island and husband John, Carolyn J. Reid of Tiverton, RI; 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren; also many nieces and nephews, especially Don and Helen Agnew of Warwick, RI.
Anna was preceded in death by her husband; one daughter, Norma A. Lambert; two brothers and two sisters. Memorial services were held Fri., March 14, at Josephine Sunset Home, Stanwood. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
SYLVIA E. JOHNSON
A memorial service was held at Coupeville United Methodist Church at 2 p.m., Fri., March 14, 2003, for Sylvia E. (Bliven) Johnson. Sylvia passed away Sat., March 8, from complications arising from a stroke.
Sylvia was born Feb. 26, 1916 near Stella, WA, outside of Longview, the daughter of John William and Hilda Antilla. She was the oldest of three children. She attended high school in Longview, where she graduated in 1934. She went on to attend Washington State College, graduating in 1938 with a degree in home economics. After college, she began working with the Cooperative Extension Service as a home demonstration agent in Mount Vernon. In 1942, she was honored to be among the first 450 women in America chosen to join the Women's Auxiliary Army Corps. Upon completion of her training in Des Moines, IA she was commissioned as a third officer, later becoming a second lieutenant in the Women’s Army Corps. After the war, she married Harry Bliven of Rochester, NY. They had two sons, William and Raymond.
In 1958, Sylvia resumed her career with the Cooperative Extension, appointed to the position as county extension agent for Island County. During her 22 years in the county, she was active answering questions from homemakers and farmers, and coordinating 4-H clubs throughout the county, especially each year at 4-H Camp at Cornet Bay and the county fair in Langley. In 1972, she was named the Grand Marshall of the fair.
She retired in January 1981, whereupon she earned the title of County Extension Agent Emeritus, with an equivalent grade of Professor from Washington State University. Harry passed away in 1969, but she was not alone for very many years. In 1975, she married a pre-war friend, Arnell Johnson, of Anacortes. During their retirement years living in Coupeville, they remained active in the Methodist church, the Vasa Lodge and the Grange and enjoyed traveling throughout the world. At the end of 2000, Sylvia and Arnell moved to Anacortes. Arnell passed away in March 2002.
Sylvia is survived by her two sons, William, of Sterling, VA, and Raymond, of Ridgefield, WA; and her sister, Toini Harrison of Loma Linda, CA. Remembrances may be sent for scholarships to the Home Economics Department of Washington State University, to the ALS Association (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in Calabasas Hills, CA or to the Coupeville United Methodist Church. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel, Anacortes.
LENNART OSTERBERG
Lennart (Len) Osterberg, born June 7, 1918, at Shelton, WA, passed away at noon, March 13, 2003, at the Skagit Valley Hospital.
He was the son of Gus Osterberg and Amanda Prost, both from the country of Finland.
Preceding him in death were his parents; Wanda Osterberg (a former wife); and his son Don Osterberg. He is survived by his wife of 14 years, Noella (Emhoff) Osterberg; son, Terry Osterberg and wife Susan; and daughter-in-law, Sharon Osterberg. Other family members are Connie (Emhoff) Harvison and husband Bob; Keith Emhoff and wife Peggy; and Steve Emhoff. As a member of a large family, Len had numerous brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Len grew up as the son of a Merchant Mariner. He served in the Navy, where he learned the aviation machinist trade. He later worked for the Rayonier Corporation in Shelton as a machinist. Upon retiring in 1971, he purchased a beautiful fishing and camping resort at Lake Pearrygin, near Winthrop. He owned and operated this for many years until retiring again in 1977. In his later years, he became a snowbird (for 22 years), traveling and visiting many places on the West Coast.
Len was an avid pilot in his younger years, and to this day, could tell you what kind of plane was flying overhead just by the sound of its engine. He built model airplanes from scratch and flew them for the sheer joy of seeing a plane fly. Len was a creator. He built a small shop behind his home in which he had spent many of his days building just about anything imaginable -- flower planters, red wagons, model airplanes, birdhouses, and even a viola that was produced only after reading a "how-to" book. He scoured the Puget Sound area for months before finding the proper wood and other various materials needed to produce an instrument that several musicians wanted more of. He only produced one, as that was his goal. Len was an accomplished accordion and organ player, but could not play the viola or read music.
Len was a true lover of the outdoors. On those days not spent in the shop producing something with his hands, he was out in his yard producing the best yard and landscaping in his community. A walker never could just pass him by, they always had to stop and compliment him on how nice his place on earth looked.
Len was a storyteller. He could capture an audience and hold their attention for hours. Len was a friend to everyone. No one was ever a stranger for long, as he would strike up a conversation with anyone, soon knowing what there was to know about his new friend. Len will be long remembered by many people.
A gathering of friends and relatives will be held to celebrate Len’s life Sat., March 22, 1 to 4 p.m., at Merrill Gardens Assisted Living Center, 7212 - 265th St. NW, Stanwood. No funeral or graveside services will be held. In lieu of floral arrangements, donations on his behalf may be made to: Camano Island Fire & Rescue, 525 E. North Camano Island Dr., Camano Island, WA 98282.
JOHN O. BRYE
John O. Bry, 100, of Stanwood, formerly of Springfield, OR, died Thurs., March 6, 2003. He was born Oct. 5, 1902 in Harvey, ND. John is survived by his wife, Eva; sons, John of Eugene, OR, William of Washougal; daughters, Ruth of Beaverton, OR, and Lillian Middleton of Stanwood; 11 grand-children and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral service will be held at Major Family Funeral Home, Springfield, OR, Sat., March 15, 10 a.m., with graveside services to follow at 1:30 p.m. at Aumsville Cemetery, Aumsville, OR. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
CAROLINE W. HEGELE
Caroline Wieneke Hegele, 87, of Stanwood, went to be at home with her Lord Jesus Christ Sun., March 2, 2003. She was born on May 19, 1915, in Portland, OR to Edward F. Wieneke and Minnie Randall Wieneke. She graduated from Montavilla Grammar School, then attended Girls Polytechnic and Portland Bible Institute (Cascade College). During the years, Carol worked at home as a homemaker and mother, as a sales clerk, receptionist and secretary/bookkeeper. Though Carol suffered many physical problems throughout her life, she loved the Lord Jesus Christ with all her heart, mind and soul. Carol also enjoyed family gatherings, singing and playing the piano, hiking, and gardening. In later life, oil painting gave her great enjoyment and much fulfillment. Her love of the ocean and the mountains is expressed through her paintings.
Carol is survived by her husband, Eugene (Happy) Hegele, who she married on July 21, 1935 at First Methodist Church in Portland. They have lived the last 25 years at Warm Beach Senior Community in Stanwood. Their children are Edward G. Hegele and wife Jane of LaGrande, OR, and Karen Hegele Nieuwendorp and husband John of Bellingham. There are seven grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held 2 p.m., Sat., March 8, at Warm Beach Senior Community. Graveside services were 2 p.m., Mon., March 10, at Skyline Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Portland, OR. Memorials may be made to American Bible Society, 1865 Broadway, New York, NY 10023, Warm Beach Senior Community, 20420 Marine Dr., Stanwood, WA 98292-6116 or your favorite charity. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
ANITA HOFFMAN
On Fri., Feb. 21, 2003, Anita Hoffman, of Camano Island, took her final stroll to her heavenly reward. She was born loving chocolate and the sea in Portland, ME, on Aug. 5, 1912. She is survived by her brother, Orlando; her daughters, Paula and Mary Ann; and sons, Maurice Jr. and Michael. Her extended family includes eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Her husband, Maurice, Sr., her five sisters and four of her five brothers preceded her to heaven. Anita was born to Italian immigrant parents who owned their own mom-and-pop grocery store in Portland. Anita worked as an administrative assistant in the aerospace industry until 1936, when she was caught by Maury taking chocolate from his desk drawer. They wed in 1938, and she worked until Paula was born in 1939.
Anita was a dedicated Italian mom, managing all aspects of running a family and forever encouraging one and all to manga, manga (eat, eat). Everyone always said her doodling was a sign that she should become an artist, and in 1965, she began a 20-year career as an oil painter. Her art was rewarded with many shows and paying customers in California. She loved being silly with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the quintessential grandma.
She was a long-time parishioner at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Stanwood, and her life was celebrated by a funeral mass Sat., March 8. "To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven, a time to be born and a time to die" (Ecclesiastes 3). Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
