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Joyce Janet Schmitten
7/4/1917 - 9/26/2002
Joyce Schmitten, age 85, of Wenatchee, WA, passed away September 26, 2002 in Bellingham, WA.
She was born July 4, 1917 in Wenatchee, WA, the only child of Ernest Foster and Karoline (Carrie) Rumbolz.
Joyce graduated from Wenatchee High School in 1935.
She became engaged to Russell Irwin Schmitten and was married 6 months later, on Sept. 19, 1937 in Wenatchee.
They had a daughter, Caroline Louise, who was born June 20, 1942.
When WW II broke out, they moved to Vancouver, WA, where Russ worked for Keiser Shipyards.
After the war, they moved back to Wenatchee, in 1946 and bought an orchard on Maiden Lane.
Joyce and Russell built a new house there in 1953.
From 1960 to 1965, they owned and operated Lyle's Motel for 5 years.
Joyce was a member of the Beacon Hill Grange for 25 years, Ladies Auxiliary, Home Ec Chairman, a lifetime member of the Astral Chapter, Order of Eastern Star and Mid-Columbia Heritage Society.
As a member of Garden Club, she served as president two terms and enjoyed doing luncheons, flower shows and Apple Blossom corsages for the royalty.
She enjoyed sewing clothes for her daughter and granddaughters, making ceramics for the yard and playing card with her husband and many friends, many of whom they had known since grade school.
Joyce also enjoyed the mountains, going on many picnics in their jeep with family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Russell Schmitten in 1991.
She is survived by her daughter, Caroline and husband, Terry Meredith of Bellingham, WA, granddaughters, Betsy Jones, Amy and husband, Craig Hampson, and great-grandchildren, Drew and Cade Hampson all of Seattle.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend and will be missed by all.
Services will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Oct 2, 2002 at Betts Funeral Home, Wenatchee, WA.
Memorials may be made to American Lung Association of Washington, 2625 Third Ave., Seattle, WA. 98121.
Funeral Home& Cremation Center
Stephen Ira Rohrbacher
11/13/1940 - 9/22/2002
Stephen Ira Rohrbacher passed away peacefully on September 22, 2002, surrounded by his family at his home.
He had a long battle with M.S. and a short battle with cancer.
Stephen was born on November 13, 1940 in San Diego, CA.
He married Dorothy Tutkus on December 26, 1961.
He is survived by his sons: Stephen and wife, Shannon, Richard and wife, Jeri Ann; daughter: Dorothy and husband, Dan Kovac; grandchildren: Mark, Casey, Tyler, and Nicole; siblings: Bob, Bill, Donna Weise, and Mary Meyer; and adopted mother and best friend, Eileen Crowder.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford and Gretelle Rohrbacher.
At his request, no services will be held.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Whatcom Hospice.
Jose Diaz
10/6/1942 - 9/28/2002
Jose Diaz died peacefully in the family home, surrounded by his family on Sept. 28, 2002.
Courageous in death as in his life, loving and generous, and more concerned with the welfare of those near him than for himself, he shall be sorely missed by his family and friends.
He was a true world citizen, loving and sharing all things Spanish, yet fiercely proud of his adopted country, America.
Born Juan Jose Diaz in Ribota, Spain, on October 6, 1942 to Timoteo Diaz Diaz and Angeles Diaz Fernandez, Jose lived in Spain, studied agricultural engineering, and farmed the family lands as a young man.
Not content to work the farm in his small village, he journeyed to America, under contract to the National Range Association in 1969 and eventually came to live in Pocatello, Idaho, where he met his wife, Emily Leach.
They were married in 1974 in Bellingham, and raised two children, Timothy Diaz and Virginia Diaz at their home on Queen Street.
He was a valued employee of Georgia-Pacific for 23 years, and retired due to illness two years ago.
Jose was an avid fisherman, a soccer fan and a proud father, who never missed a swim meet of his son or a tennis match of his daughter.
Tim and Gina always brought a sparkle to his eyes and he was exceedingly proud of them and their achievements.
He enjoyed traveling with his family and shared happy memories with them and with Emily of summers in Spain, as well as the national parks of America, and Lake Chelan.
In all things, he was enthusiastic, eager to learn and experience, and conscious of the importance of enjoying life and loved ones in the savoring of every moment.
Jose is preceded in death by his mother and his father, and is survived by his wife of 29 years and his children, Timothy and Virginia, all of the family home.
He is truly loved and will be missed by his wife's family, Virginia Leach, his mother-in-law; his three sisters-in-law: Elizabeth Chavez, Deborah Hansen and Valerie Hodge; their husbands and children and his many cousins, both in Spain, and in Florida.
His love extended with enthusiasm to his many friends and all of his extended family and his exuberant enjoyment of life and its many moments will be remembered and missed by all.
He was a most giving man, and was always grateful for the friendships and love which showered him in his life, most deservedly.
There will be visitation hours from 10:00 to 1:00 on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at Westford Funeral Home, a Catholic Mass at Assumption Church on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 3:00, with Christian burial at Bayview Cemetery.
Thelma Goudy Palmer
4/24/1908 - 10/6/2002
Thelma Goudy Palmer, age 94, of Bellingham, WA, passed away October 6, 2002 at Mt. Baker Care Center.
She was born April 21, 1908 in Steveston, B.C., Canada, to Bert and Lillie (Murchison) Goudy.
Thelma graduated from St. Joseph School of Nursing in 1930.
She married Dalton Palmer, October 8, 1930 in Bellingham.
Thelma worked at St. Joseph Hospital on the medical and surgical floor with nursing students, she worked at WWU as school nurse for 20 years and later, worked for Westford Funeral Home, until her retirement.
She was a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and St. Anne's Guild, Sister Xavier Auxiliary of St. Joseph Hospital, Thursday Study Club, the Music Club, Maple Leaf Chapter OES and Lake Padden Ladies Nine Hole Club.
Thelma enjoyed knitting, needlepoint, cooking and she loved her family and animals.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dalton Palmer in 1950, daughters, Mary Finch in 1994 and Virginia Palmer in 1940.
She is survived her daughter, Margaret and husband, Rob Bloch of Bellingham, WA; grandchildren: Peggy Lane, Shawn Byfield and Jim Finch of Mt. Vernon; Ann Berger, Robin Somers and Michael Bloch of Bellingham, and 11 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held at Westford Funeral Home 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2002.
Memorial may be made to St. Luke's Foundation or St. Joseph Auxiliary.
