MARTINA B.
SCHWANINGER
6-2-84 to 11-16-04
It is with great sadness that we say good-bye to our Swiss daughter, sister and friend, Martina Barbara Schwaninger. After suffering a six-month illness, Martina passed away peacefully surrounded by her family in Trasadingen, Switzerland. Many people in Stanwood were touched by Martina during the 2002-03 year she spent living with the Olsson family as an exchange student at Stanwood High School. Martina told her parents that the year she spent in Stanwood was the best experience of her life.
Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Doctors Without Borders to provide medicine for those in the world who are not as fortunate to have received the care given to Martina. Donations can be made on line at www.doctorswithoutborders.org (Attn: Martina Schwaninger, Geneva, Switzerland).
ELIZABETH BJORK
Elizabeth Linnea Anderson Neslund Bjork was born to Carl Oscar and Edith Calbom Anderson of rural Mt. Vernon Aug. 18, 1911. After graduation from Mt. Vernon High School, she worked as a secretary for several years, helping to put her three brothers through medical school. She also became well-known locally as a soprano soloist.
In August 1937, she married Clifford R. Neslund of rural Stanwood. On their farm they raised four children: Robert, Karen, Philip and Mary. Much of the family’s life was centered in the Cedarhome Baptist Church, where Elizabeth sang and played both organ and piano. After the children were grown, she worked for several years in the Fleck Insurance agency in Stanwood. Clifford died in February 1969.
In July 1975, Elizabeth married Gordon Bjork and moved to his cabin near Gig Harbor, on the Olympic Peninsula. Known now as "Beth, " she continued her musical and church activities -- among other things, directing a handbell choir. She delighted in gardening, travel and fishing.
The Bjork children -- Lyle and Priscilla of Seattle and "Skip" of Santa Barbara, CA, and their spouses and children -- became part of her family. Gordon died in May 1990. In 1998 she moved into the Josephine Sunset Home in Stanwood, and there she died peacefully Nov. 11. She is survived by her son, Robert of Faribault, MN; her daughter, Karen Atwood of Janesville, WI; and her daughter-in-law, Kathy Neslund of Marysville; as well as six grandchildren, one great-grandson; and several nieces and nephews. Her parents, her brothers, Eugene, Donald and Richard, and two of her children, Philip and Mary, preceded her in death.
Private burial will take place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery, 11:30 a.m., Sat., Nov. 20. At 2 p.m., a memorial service will be held at Cedarhome Baptist Church, 29000 68th Ave. NW, Stanwood. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
C. SUE BRETLAND
C. Sue Bretland, age 61, of Lynnwood, passed away Nov. 11, 2004, at University Hospital in Seattle. She was born April 25, 1943 in Wabash, IN. Sue graduated from Michigan Sate University in 1964 with a bachelor's degree in nursing. married to her college sweetheart, Robert, Sue moved to Seattle in 1967. She worked at Maynard Hospital (later Seattle General) and finished with 20 years of service at Harborview Medical Center until her passing.
Sue is survived by her husband of 40 years, Robert; son, Bob Bretland; daughter-in-law, Leah; daughter, Elizabeth Bretland; granddaughter, Makena Lynne Bretland; sisters, Sally Berg (Dale) and Peggy Hadley (Ross) and several nieces and nephews.
Sue was a major contributor to the community including Meadowdale middle and high school music boosters and Meadowdale High School site counsel, among numerous other civic activities. Sue "Mom" always made time to help anyone in need. Her life was truly filled with service to others. She will be greatly missed.
We are sure Sue would appreciate memorial contributions to the Lupus Foundation, Western Washington Chapter, 1207 N 200th St., Ste. 214, Shoreline, WA 98133. A memorial service will be held at Meadowdale High School, 6002-168th St. SW, Lynnwood in the Great Room at 10 a.m., Sat., Nov. 20. Arrangements: Beck's Funeral Home, Edmonds, (425) 771-1234.
ADA S. BROTEN
Ada Stigenwalt Broten, long-time resident of Stanwood, passed away peacefully Nov. 7, 2004 at the age of 92. Ada was married to noted Northwest watercolor artist, Wesley L. "Wes" Broten, who preceded her in death, as did her two brothers, Al and Harry Stigenwalt. Born in C'oeur d'Alene, ID on April 8, 1912, Ada was proud to be the granddaughter of two Washington State pioneer families who homesteaded in Eastern Washington. She was a 1930 graduate of Queen Anne High School in Seattle, where she lived and worked for 23 years. During that time, Ada was a popular soprano soloist, performing on the radio and at events in Seattle.
Ada and Wes married in 1946 and moved to Lake Goodwin in 1951. She started her 22-year career in 1952 with National Bank of East Stanwood (Seafirst Bank) and over the years, became friend, advisor and confidant to many local residents. Ada tried to retire in 1974, but Seafirst called her back "temporarily, " which became a part-time career at the Stanwood and Silvana branches for another 11 years. Ada lived at Stanwood Senior Center from 1997 to 2001, and will be remembered for her long and dedicated volunteer service at the center, which she continued, together with volunteer work at Josephine Sunset Home, after moving to the home in 2001, where she resided until her death. Ada attended Anchor of Hope Community Church in Stanwood. She will be missed and lovingly remembered by surviving nieces, Carol Allen, Seattle, Ann Gunhus, Underwood, Minn.; sisters-in-law, Harriet Stigenwalt and Becky Gourlie; and many caring friends. Remembrances may be made to any deserving charity. No services are scheduled. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral Home, Stanwood.
GERALD O. KITCHEN
Gerald Otto Kitchen, 86, of Stanwood, died Tues., Nov. 9, 2004. He was born Oct. 3, 1918. Memorial services will be announced at a later date. Arrangements under the direction of Gilbertson Funeral home, Stanwood.
FRANCES KUHNLY
Frances (Fran) Kuhnly, age 72, longtime resident of Stanwood, passed away peacefully Fri., Nov. 12, 2004. Born March 1, 1932 in Minnesota, she enjoyed travel, handcrafts and family. She will be sadly missed by Herb Kuhnly, husband of 52 years; children, Steve, Kim and Kathy; six grandchildren; one great-grandson; plus a large extended family.
A memorial service will be held at Warm Beach Free Methodist Church, Stanwood, 2 p.m., Sat., Nov. 20. At the family’s request, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Puget Sound Blood Center for T.T.P. research.
GLORIA McCULLEY
Gloria Ruth McCulley passed away the morning of Nov. 10, 2004 after a long illness. The second child of Henry and Myrtle Verlinda, she was born Nov. 12, 1931 in Everett.
Gloria is survived by her husband, Jack of 51 years; daughter, Jeanie Jensen of Seattle; son, Jerry of Ellensburg; son, Jimmy of Republic; grandson, David Robin of Arlington; granddaughter, Jennifer Robin of Everett; sister, Marian Maw of Monroe, sister-in-law, Phyllis Verlinda of Lake Stevens; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She attended schools in Hartford and Marysville, where she graduated from high school. She also attended a secretarial college in Everett. Gloria enjoyed the life of a homemaker for her family. Her hobby was cartooning. She will be remembered by all who knew her for her love of life, her love of people, her humor and cheer, and her positive outlook on life. She now rests in the loving arms of Jesus Christ. A short memorial service will be held for immediate family members only. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the American Heart Association in Gloria’s name.
KYLE F. BIELENBERG
Our precious son and brother, Kyle Francis Bielenberg, left us on Nov. 7, 2004, in Mesa, AZ as a result of complications from a seizure disorder. He had been working the past eight years as an auto cad draftsman in Meza. Kyle was born on April 27, 1978, to parents Harvey and Debby Bielenberg and was big brother to Abby. Kyle graduated from Stanwood High School in 1995, being an avid cross country runner in his high school years, but when he got a taste of mountain biking, that became his greatest love and passion, reaching the pro level in downhill racing this year.
Besides his parents and sister, he is survived by his grandparents, John and Alma Druffel of Colton, WA; uncles and aunts, Dan and Lorna Druffel, Jeff and Erika Druffel of Colton, Linda and Dudley French, New York, Paula and Glenn LeVan and Anita and Russ Fabre of Kennewick, Ralph and Mary Bielenberg, Jim and Judy Bielenberg of Moscow, Sr. Barbara Bielenberg and Gary Bielenberg of Spokane and Shirlene and Mike Hodge of Clarkston, WA; as well as many cousins and extended family.
Kyle had a love of family and friends, and his joy on vacations was working alongside his family at home on the back forty and on the wheat farm with his uncles and grandpa. He had the genetics of his dad and would attack any project with gusto and would drop anything to help someone out. Kyle was a caring and compassionate individual with a determination for life. No words can describe how wonderful he was and how he touched our lives forever. We love you so much, Kyle, and we are going to miss you.
"As the bird, freed of its cage seeks new heights, so the Christian soul in death, flies home to God...A new Journey begins. It's hard to say goodbye to someone who hasn't had much time to finish the race."
Please join us for a celebration of Kyle's life on Sat., Nov. 13, 11 a.m., at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Stanwood, 26900 78th Ave. NW, in Stanwood.
CALOGERO (CHARLES) BRUNO
Charles Angelo Bruno entered into rest peacefully with our Lord Jesus on Oct. 21, 2004, with his daughter by his side at Josephine Sunset Home in Stanwood. Charles, or Carlo as he liked to be called, was born Feb. 7, 1926, in Belleville, NJ. He served in the Armed Forces during the 1940’s and retired from The Boeing Company, where he was an engineer for various business programs in the company.
His hobbies as a young person included playing the trumpet in the big band era in the Catskills in upstate New York. Later, his musical interest turned more towards classical and was active in The Seattle Opera Guild. He also enjoyed working out and weight lifting and competed in weight lifting competitions in the 1930’s in New York City. He also enjoyed traveling and chose Lake Tahoe, NV as his favorite spot.
He was an active parent and will be dearly remembered by his family. He is survived by his daughter, Maggie Huck of Camano Island; sisters, Louise Pellicoro, Millie Ingrao and Francis Bruno, all of Holliday, Florida; and nieces and nephews. Carlo was preceded in death by his parents Guiseppe and Margaret Bruno, and nephew, Joseph Ingrao. A private family memorial will be held this spring.
Donations may be made to the Northwest Parkinson's Foundation, P.O. Box 56, Mercer Island, WA 98040. His daughter Maggie would like to thank the staff of JSH for their compassion and care of her father.
