Whatcom County, Washington Obituary Collection

GenealogyBuff.com - Whatcom County, Washington Obituary Collection - 106

Posted By: GenealogyBuff.com
Date: Tuesday, 5 December 2017, at 2:57 p.m.

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Martin Tomich
9/11/1928 - 8/13/2004

Martin Tomich born September 11,
1928 to Nick & Mandy Tomich and was a
lifetime resident of Bellingham.
Martin was a commercial fisherman and
began his fishing career in 1941 with
his dad on the “Joseph.” At 27, he
built his first boat, the “Valiant
Lady,” and fished up and down the
Pacific Coast and in False Pass in
Southeast Alaska. He seined for
sardines in Oregon, dragged bottomfish
in California, and was partners in
Gold Nugget Seafoods in Morro Bay,
California.
In 1991, he launched the
second “Valiant Lady” and continued to
fish until this past year when he
finally decided it was time to
retire. He recently returned from a
9000-mile trip, taking the Valiant
Lady on her last voyage to the new
owners in Gaspe, Quebec. The boat’s
sale marked the end of his 49 year
career as a fishing captain.
Martin’s love of the sea and fishing
made him a local legend in the fishing
community. He was a well-respected
man, noted for his strong work ethic
and big heart. He inspired and
educated many future fishermen who
went on to become successful fishermen
in their own right. Martin’s death by his first
wife, Winifred. He is survived by his
wife, Alene; his daughters from his
first marriage: Marta Fiorito and
husband Dan of Seattle, grandchildren
Dan and MaryAnn; Cheryl Wyman and
husband Terry of Seattle,
grandchildren Matthew and Meredith;
Nikki Baumwoll and husband Jack of
Long Beach, California, grandchildren
Rachel and Sarah; Rita Stafford Leeds
and husband Fred of Boston,
Massachusetts, grandchildren Brad,
Greg, and Elise Stafford. Also
survived by his sister Denna and
husband Allen Hart; niece and nephews
Mary Ellen, David, and Jerry; sister-
in-law Gerrie Zuanich Kinaman and
niece Stacy Meyers of San Pedro,
California. Also survived by his wife
Alene’s family: daughter Julie
Aydelotte and husband Tom of
Bainbridge Island, grandchildren
Alexis and Tyler; son Jeffery Hayward-
Hughes and wife Cathy of Bellingham,
grandchildren Jack and Bristol.
A Cemetery Garden Mausoleum in Seattle.
Memorials in Martin’s honor may be made
to: Medic One, Attn: Debra Peterson,
1800 Broadway, Bellingham, WA 98225; or
UW Foundation/Regional Heart Center
(RHC), 1325 4th Ave., Suite 2000,
Seattle, WA 98101; or to a charity of
your choice.

Randy L. Downing
1/19/1952 - 8/22/2004

Randy L. Downing, age 52 of Bellingham
born January 19, 1952 in Port Angeles,
WA to Jerry & Betty (Kean) Downing. He
studied English at UNLV and always
loved to study and learn in school. He
also loved to read in his free time
about history and biographies, and was
involved in a monthly book club for
years. Randy adored his son Tristan
who he raised since the age of 3, and
always loved to spend time with him.
They did everything together, and
watching his son’s many baseball games
were a delight to his life. He was a
Whatcom County resident for 20 years,
where he spent many days enjoying the
hiking and outdoors with his son. Randy
was a selfless person who cared deeply
about others, especially his son and
his co-workers. Most recently he worked
at Best Western Heritage Inn in
Bellingham.
Randy is survived by his son, Tristan
Downing of Bellingham; parents Jerry &
Betty Downing of Kansas City, TX;
sister Debbie (Kyle) Graves of Garland,
TX; brother Terry Downing of Kansas
City; and sister Joni Downing of Kansas
City.
Visitation will be held at Westford
Funeral Home on Thursday, August 26th
from 3 – 8 PM. A Cemetery. A Reception will
follow at Best Western Heritage Inn,
151 E. McCleod Rd. in Bellingham.

Vesta Louisa Biendl
2/9/1920 - 10/15/2004

Vesta Biendl, age 84 of Kirkland, WA
born February 9, 1920 in Auburn,
Wyoming, the daughter of Aaron Harrison
and Olive Wheelock. Vesta was the
oldest of six children who all grew up
in Star Valley, Wyoming. After
graduating from Star Valley High
School, Vesta met and married Conner A. Biendl while both
working at Newberry’s, while she was
managing the Shamrock Hotel. They
enjoyed a life of deep love and respect
for each other. And had a lot of good
times. In the early 60’s they were
transferred to Kirkland to work at the
Bellevue Newberry’s. Vesta’s hobbies
included gardening, oil painting,
crocheting and forever feeding her
family (even when they were full).
Vesta was actively involved with her
sisters in the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints and the Kirkland
Senior Center.
Vesta prevailed over a life of
adversity and heartache, by loving her
children and husband with all of her
being. She took great pleasure in her
grand and great grandbabies, the color
pink, dancing, flowers and lots of
fancy shoes. Vesta touched many lives
and was known and adored probably by
more people as “Nana.” We all
enjoyed “Nana’s” sence of humor, love
of life, and her never-ending need to
worry about all of us. Nana’s home was
open to all, and she provided a solid,
base of support for any who needed her
strength and unconditional love.
We will miss you our sweet,
dearest “Nana” and Mother, and will
hold your memory in our hearts forever.
You are truly one of a kind and because
of you we are all blessed.
Vesta is survived by her devoted
husband of 46 years Conner Biendl of
Kirkland, her daughter Dixie (William)
Tamcke of Bellingham and son, Frederick
(Gloria) Ringel of Cacade, Idaho. She
is also survived by her grandsons Hank
Tamcke, Shane and Clint Ringel also of
Cascade and her granddaughters Crystal
(Bruce) King of Bellingham and Sharee
Ringel of Cascade, Idaho. Nana also
leaves behind 11 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the American
Heart Association. Visitation will be
held at Westford Funeral Home on
Thursday, Oct. 21 from 12 – 5 pm, along
with Friday, Oct. 22 from 9 – 11 am.
Funeral services will be held on
Friday, Oct. 22 at 11 am at Westford
Funeral Home followed by a graveside
committal at Greenacres Cemetery. A
reception will take place following at
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints on Northwest Avenue at 12:30
pm.

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