LESLIE A. IRELAND
Leslie "Pat" A. Ireland, 87, of Federal Way, WA, passed peacefully from a chronic illness, May 16, 2004 in Auburn, WA. He was born Aug. 14, 1916 in Houlton, Maine. Pat spent most of his retirement years on Camano Island, owning property there since 1970. Before retiring in 1978, for 30 years, he owned the "Orange Bowl" coffee shop in downtown Seattle. Pat was an avid fisherman, participating as a member of the "Steelhead Trout Club of Washington" for over 30 years. He was a member of the Lutheran church.
Pat is remembered as a loving, caring, outgoing, strong, and faithful man who was also very personable and friendly. Pat was preceded in death by, Eloise, his wife of 28 years in 1981; by, Adeline, his wife of nine years in 1998; his sister, Marjorie Ella Bragg; and his brothers, John and Dan Holmes. Pat is survived by his only daughter, Leslie R. Ireland of Federal Way; his brother, David Holmes of Dublin, OH; and sister, Betty Mae Smith of Sechelt, B.C., Canada.
A graveside service was held Mon., May 24, at Floral Hills Cemetery. Arrangements were made by Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills Funeral Home, Lynnwood. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Steelbead Trout Club of Washington, 7540 16th NW Seattle, WA 98117 in the name of Pat Ireland.
JEREMIAH D. REED
Jeremiah David Reed, born Sept. 27, 1994, in Arlington, died May 14, 2004. Jeremiah lived his life in the Warm Beach area, where he loved life to the fullest. He loved to read, climb trees, ride bikes and knew how to be a good friend. He also loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He is survived by one set of great-grandparents, both sets of grandparents; many aunts, uncle and cousins; his parents, Barry and Tami; and his three brothers, Daniel, age 15, Aaron, age 12, and Benjamin, age 3. He will be missed by everyone who knew and loved him. Memorial services were Fri., May 21, 3 p.m., at Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center in Stanwood.
HARRY L. IMMER
Harry L. Immer, beloved son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and a friend to all, died at home on Camano Island May 14, 2004, on this date, their 38th wedding anniversary. He is lamented by his loving wife Esther. Survivors also include his mother, Lucille Roth; two daughters, Darlaina lmmer Dame and Charmaine Immer; two sons Ron Immer of Hawaii, and Chris and Tammy Immer of Machias, WA; two sisters, Patsy and Don Anderson of Amery, WI, and Yoland and Larry Urquehart of La Ronge, Saskatchewan; grandchildren, Ron II and Katrina Immer, Austin Dame, Eric and Emily Immer; and many nieces and nephews, who will all miss him.
He was born in St. Paul, Minnesota Feb. 4, 1939, the son of Lucille and his beloved dad, Walter Roth. He graduated from Harding High School in St. Paul, went to community college and served his country in the U.S. Coast Guard for 22 years. He was a mustang and graduated from Officer Candidate School in 1965 (recruiter). He served on many buoy tenders, as well as shore stations including security officer at the United States Coast Guard Academy, search and rescue ships and Coast Guard fishery patrols. His last tour of duty was as a training officer at the USCG Institute in Oklahoma City, OK, when he retired. Next to his family, the Coast Guard was his first love.
After retirement from the Coast Guard, he and his family moved to Camano Island where they built their home. He made many friends over the years in real estate sales on Camano Island. A graveside military funeral will be held at the Camano Lutheran Church Cemetery May 19, at 1 p.m. A celebration of Harry's life for friends and family will follow the service at the Immer residence, at 1349 S. West Camano Drive on Camano Island. He will be sorely missed by family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the charity of your choice. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
EUGENE C. NELSON
Eugene Clements Nelson (Gene) was born in Seattle March 15, 1918, to Swedish immigrants Oscar W. and Anna (Simons) Nelson, who predeceased him. He died at age 86 at Josephine Sunset Home in Stanwood, May 13, 2004, having moved there May 1.
His parents owned Nelson Laundry, an early-day commercial laundry in Seattle. Gene attended Seward Grade School and Broadway High School (Class of 1936). Gene helped support the family during his teen years delivering telegrams in downtown Seattle after his family lost their business during the Depression. His first adult job was the manufacture of artificial limbs and braces at Lundberg Co. in Seattle.
Gene married Ida Sjodin of Sedro-Woolley in 1939. Tragically, in 1941, Ida and their premature infant daughter both died. In 1944 Gene married Anela Hanson in Seattle. In 1946 they moved to Stanwood, Anela's hometown. Gene worked at Jim Hansen's Shurfine Grocery and Meadowmilk cannery. In 1956, Gene and Anela took over her parents' business in East Stanwood, Hanson's Variety, and ran it as Nelson's Variety until 1972, when they sold it Inga Pearson. After retirement, he worked out of their home in different businesses, including a wholesale coin and stamp business and making crab pots.
Gene and Anela lived on "brick hill" above East Stanwood during the time they were raising their two daughters, Eileen and Marcia. Gene did a lot of the manual labor to help build their house and was always doing projects around their home, even into his later years. In 1966, they built a house at Utsalady Bay on Camano Island, where they lived for 22 years. Gene loved golf. He and Anela moved into the Camaloch golf community in 1990. He played golf until the last couple of years when his health began to fail.
Gene had five brothers and sisters, all of whom predeceased him: brothers, Oscar, Clarence and Vincent; and sisters, Edith Bronk and Blanche Pierre. Gene's survivors include his wife of nearly sixty years, Anela; daughters, Eileen (Tom) King of Arlington, and Marcia Nelson of Seattle; three granddaughters, Shelley Scott, Danielle Azdamou and Raquel Hopkins, all of the Seattle area; and two great-granddaughters, Brianna Metcalf and Sasha Hopkins; Gene was a favorite uncle of his nieces and nephews, who also survive him: Byron Nelson and Paul Pierre, both of California, Anna Marie (Pierre) Coffer of New Mexico, and Lorraine (Pierre) Broughton of Oregon.
At Gene’s request, there will be no funeral service. However, his family extends an invitation to family and friends to an open house in honor of Gene's life between 1 and 4 p.m., Thurs., May 20, at the A-frame meeting house in Camaloch. Turn east on McElroy Rd. off East Camano Dr. (next to Camaloch Golf Course) and drive through the gate. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice or to Camano Senior & Community Center Building Fund, 606 Arrowhead Road, Camano Island, 98282. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
LAWRENCE OTTERSON
Lawrence (Larry) Ronald Otterson, lost his courageous fight with cancer and passed away at his family home in the morning of May 9, 2004. Born May 21, 1937, in Stanwood, graduated from Twin City High School, where he was active in all sports and was all state for two years in basketball. He joined the Navy while just a junior in high school, doing training during the summer months. He went to serve his country after high school as a member of the Navy Seebe's, of which he was very proud and shared many stories with his family and friends about his times in Adak, Alaska and Okinawa. He married his high school sweetheart, Judy Creighton, in 1959 in Stanwood, and had 42 years of love, laughter and memories, before Judy passed away in 2001.
Larry was a painter for 40 years and operated his own business, Otterson Painting, with his partner and son, Jr. After retiring, Larry continued Judy's Avon business and loved being with people. He loved to travel, attend school functions and sporting events, fishing, hunting and bowling. He had four perfect 300 games and was inducted into the Bowler's Hall of Fame in 2003. He was a member of the Mt. Vernon Elks and Stanwood Eagles 3041 for many years, and a lifetime member of Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Stanwood.
Larry married Pam Hafner in August of 2002, and they covered many miles traveling and visiting family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Hans and Rose Otterson; brother, LeRoy Otterson; and sister, Gladys Strand. Larry is survived by his wife Pam at the family home; son, Lawrence Jr., Camano Island; daughter Sherrie and husband Roderick Cadman of Sedro-Woolley; stepdaughter, Melody and husband Pat Cottrell, Stanwood; stepson, Jeff Hafner, Mt. Vernon; grandchildren, Hans Perrin, Jens Perrin; adopted grandchildren, Danielle Fure, Dayna Fure, Darren Redford, Destiny Redford, Derek Hafner and Tia Hafner; sister, Ruby Vaughn and husband, Robert, and their two sons, Kevin and Mike of Kansas; nephew, Ed Strand and wife, Mary, and children, of Arlington; brother-in-law, Jim Creighton of Seattle; along with a multitude of friends who will miss him and cherish their memories of him forever. A memorial service will be held May 22, at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Stanwood at 11 a.m., with a fellowship time to follow. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
MICHAEL E. BARTEE
Michael Erik Bartee, age 25, has passed away after a motor vehicle accident in Tillamook, OR on May 2, 2004.
Michael was born on Dec. 14, 1978 in Douglas, WY to Robert and Diane (Hicks) Bartee. He lived in Wyoming for a few years before beginning school, and then in Humboldt County in Northern California, Anchorage and Eagle River, AK, and Marysville.
During his high school years, he lived in Gresham, OR with his uncle Terry Bartee's family. Michael packed a great deal of life into his 25 years. He traveled the world, enjoyed camping and fishing, arts and crafts (especially beadwork), and playing drums and the didgeridoo..He worked as a carpenter in the building trades.
He constantly talked about the things he wanted to do and places he wanted to see, and more often than not he would then head out on his next adventure. Michael was an outdoorsman in the truest sense of the word, but was also very comfortable in the "urban jungle, " and considered Portland, OR a big playground. He will be remembered for his free spirit, zest for life, and undeniable charm, and will be greatly missed by his many friends and family, and also by the Rainbow Family community, to whom he was known as "Twitch."
Michael is survived by his parents, Robert Bartee of Scottsdale, AZ and Diane Saia of Grand Junction, CO; his son Damien Roberts of Lake Stevens; a brother Jonathan Bartee of Port Townsend; a sister Dawnielle Saia of Stanwood; his grandmother Betty Frost of Anchorage, AK; stepfather Dave Saia of Stanwood; uncles and aunts: Bill and Judy Bartee and children Nat and Rebecca of Anchorage, AK, Mary Lou Foster and son Nick of Scottsdale, AZ, Nancy and Dave Allinger and children Patrick and Tara of Coeur d'Alene, ID, Terry and Carol Bartee and children Mandy, Jake and Trevor of Gresham, OR, Tom and Michelle Bartee and children Brenda and Bryan of Mad River, CA, Ron Hicks and children Tracy and Brian of Buckeye, AZ, Karen and Doug Walton and children Eli, Sarah, and Brandy of Grand Junction, CO, Pam Smith and children Melissa and Dale of Grand Junction, CO, Susie and Jerry McNutty and children Kim and Samantha of Douglas, WY, Mike and Mary Hicks and children Joshua and Tanya of Casper, WY, Barbara Banks and son Andy of South Dakota, and Margaret and Doug Gamble of Grand Junction, CO; stepbrother Jason Saia; nephews, Daniel and Chase Saia of Marysville; and by his girlfriend Angie Whitehead of Tillamook, OR. Memorial services in various cities will take place in the near future. Arrangements are under the care of Waud's Funeral Home, Tillamook.
JAMES BOYCE
Jim of Olympia, WA passed away May 4 at home due to cancer. He was born Nov. 8, 1924 to George and Alah Boyce of Stanwood. He attended grade school and graduated from Lincoln High School in East Stanwood. During W.W.II., he served in the U.S. Army overseas. After the war, he worked for Shell Oil Co. in Anacortes, where he retired from.
His first wife, Georgie, who preceded him in death, lived in Sedro-Woolley. They raised beef cattle and owned several taverns. He was a member of the Sedro-Woolley Legion Post No. 43. He leaves behind his wife, Fumie of Olympia; a daughter, Tressa Ann in Virginia; a sister, Marjorie and husband Bob Wenicky; niece’s Debbie Estabrook and Karla Skodje; and grandchildren. There will be no services at his request.
ROGER CHRISTIANSON
On May 7, Roger Christianson was called to his heavenly home.
Roger was born March 25, 1919 in Plentywood, MT, where he lived with his parents Thora and Charles and his sister Gwen. He completed his Master's in Education at the University of Montana.
Roger married Laura Jane Dec. 22, 1940. They had six children. In 1943, Roger left for a three-year W.W.II tour in the Army Air Corp. Upon his return, he began a successful 35-year career in school administration in Fairfield, Dixon and Frenchtown, MT, and in 1961, he moved his family to Lake Oswego, OR to teach chemistry and math.
Roger’s passions were teaching, building homes for his family, raising Angus cattle on a small farm, and later in life, competitive horseshoes and especially golf. His favorite outings included fishing, hunting and camping while doling out plenty of love, conversation and advice. His amazing memory allowed for his continued love of learning and fostered his collection of old books. His wealth of knowledge about everything from how to fix anything to politics gave his family a source to really rely upon. We are beginning a new chapter with the memory of him and his love in our hearts.
Roger was welcomed to heaven by his parents and his daughter, Laurie. His wife, Laura Jane, and their children, Neil, Rigg, Liane, Mark and Jon; his grandchildren, Carrie, Tori, Cory, Jared, Kristiane, Andrew, Anders, Schanen and Joe; and his sister, Gwen; survive him. Services are to be held at Camano Chapel, Thurs., May 13, at 11 a.m. Memorials may be sent to Camano Chapel, Stanwood Youth for Christ, or charity of your choice. We love you, Roger!
PAMELA L. JOHNSON
6-2-47 to 5-3-04
Our mom, Pamela "Larae" Johnson, was a daughter, a sister, and a wife. She was a mommy, a grandma, and a great-grandma. Our mom was the best friend any of us could have ever had.
If only we could have just one more day to tell her that before the Lord came and took her home.
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance (Psalm 32-7). Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
RICHARD SHELTON
1926-2004
Richard (Dick) Shelton passed away May 4, 2004, at his home on Camano Island.
Dick, 77, was born July 11, 1926 to Elmer and Francis Shelton. He was raised on the family farm near Pomeroy, WA with his brother Jim and sister Diane. Dick graduated from Pomeroy High School and then joined the Navy. He served in the Naval Air Cadet program until his discharge in 1945.
After the war, he attended Washington State College and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. He first worked for GE but soon joined the Boeing Company, where he worked for 35 years. Dick married Kathryn Dezellem in 1948. He was a devoted family man and built many heirloom pieces of furniture for his family. Dick also filled many hours in front of his computer, keeping in touch with distant family members, cataloguing a lifetime of photographs and building calendars.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Jim, and sister, Diane. Dick is survived by Kathy, his wife of 56 years; son Rick (Kathy); daughter, Linda Talbot (Tim); two grandchildren, Erin Darrah (Shane), Jason Talbot; great-grandchild, Capreese Talbot; many nieces, nephews, cousins and wonderful friends.
At his request, there will be no services. There will be a gathering to honor this great man at a later date. Memorials can be made to the American Heart Association or the Washington State University School of Engineering.
CHARLOTTE B. SNELL
Charlotte B. Snell was born June 21, 1919 in Stamford, NE. She passed away at Josephine Sunset Home May 10, 2004. She married Earl W. Snell and they had four children, Earlene, LaDonna, Karen and Vernon Ray.
Her husband Earl and daughter Earlene preceded her in death, and also a son-in-law Billy J. Ayers and grandson, Michael. She is survived by a daughter, LaDonna and Tom Nickels of Camano Island; daughter Karen Ayers of Memphis, TN; son Vernon Snell of California; one sister Cleo Porter of Alma, NE; 10 grandchildren, 15 great-grand-children and one great-great-grandchild.
She was a member of DAV and Rebecca’s of Camano Island. There will be a memorial service Thurs., May 13, 2 p.m. at Josephine Sunset Home, Stanwood.
