Miscellaneous Thurston County, Washington Obituaries

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Clenton E. Taylor, 58, an 18-year resident of Yelm, died of cancer Monday, Aug. 14 [2000], at home.

He was born Jan. 24, 1942, to Travis Townson and Minnie Avis (Mayo) Taylor in Albuquerque, N.M.

Mr. Taylor married Margaret Jane Taylor on May 28, 1965.
He served in the Navy 1961-66. He was an E-2 upon discharge.

He was employed by Yelm Middle School as a custodian.

Mr. Taylor enjoyed fishing, gold panning, geology and sciences, and he especially enjoyed teaching children.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Jane Taylor of Yelm; a son, Timothy Ray Taylor of Yelm; a daughter, Julie May Lobrie of Lacey; a brother, Milton Ray Taylor of Stephensville, Texas; a sister, Olita; and five grandchildren.

A gathering of family and friends was held on Saturday, Aug. 19, at Yelm Middle School.
Arrangements are by American Memorial Funeral Directors, Olympia.
 

Debi Otis, 45, of Roy, passed away peacefully Aug. 15 [2000].

Debi was born Jan. 24, 1955 in Conrad, Mont.

She is survived by her parents, Ted Olson of Phoenix, Ariz., and Verla Barclay of Tacoma; her husband, Michael Otis of Roy; sister, Linda K. Davis of University Place; brother Ted Olson of Yelm; four daughters, Amy Godsey, University Place; Kristy Manning, Seattle, Fawn Godsey, Spanaway and special daughter, Crystal Carrillo, Roy; son, Adam Otis, Roy; four grandchildren, Timmothy, Kevin, Morgan and Tianna; and nephew, Tracy.

Prior to her illness she took great pride in her job as a bartender. She will be deeply missed by all of those who knew her.

Funeral services were held on Aug. 18, at Fir Lane Memorial Chapel. Interment at Fir Lane Memorial Park.
 

Shirley J. Kuper, 65, of Yelm was born on Oct. 6 , 1935 in Wendell, N.C.. She died of cancer at home on Thursday, Jan. 25 [2001].

Her parents were Samuel W. and Grace L. (Douglas) Jones.

Shirley lived in the Roy and Yelm area for more than 30 years. She was a retired food server. She was involved in stock-car racing at the Spanaway and Tenino speedways and volunteered for Yelm seniors.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents and a granddaughter, Chastity Bartram.

Shirley will be dearly missed by: three daughters, Debbie Bartram (Pat Johnson) of Yelm, Tonja Reichel (Mike) of Rainier and Jeannie Aulabaugh (Clint) of Olympia; a son, Calvin Buckland of Florence, Colo.; two stepdaughters, Kim Thomas and Sandra Kuper of Tacoma; six grandchildren; six great grandchildren; and; numerous family and friends. 

The family extends special thanks to Hospice and Cindy Cecil of Yelm.

Family and friends gathered for a graveside service Jan. 30. at Yelm Cemetery.
 

Wilbur W. Parvey, 80, a Yelm resident for 26 years, died at Evergreen Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Olympia.

He was born Nov. 26, 1920, to Benjamin and Helmi (Mankinen) Parvey, in Gackle, ND.

Wilbur moved to the Pacific Northwest in the late 1930s. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1943-45, and was discharged as a sergeant. He later settled in Seattle where he and Iris married on Oct. 3, 1946. He worked as an accountant and auditor.

He enjoyed golfing, bowling and fishing.

Wilbur is survived by two sons, James Parvey of Tacoma, and Richard Parvey of Issaquah; one daughter, Alice Jones of Olympia; two sisters, Jean Holden of Kirkland, and Iona Kopetsky of Aberdeen; and one granddaughter, Jessica Jones of Yelm; and friends, Jerry, Quentin, Helen, Carol, Corrine, Russell, and many other enduring friendships he established through his kindness, humor and devotion.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Iris in 1985; and two sisters, Donna King and Lorraine Halpin.

Memorial services will be held at the family home in Yelm at 2 p.m., Feb. 10 [2001].
 

Charles A. Barnard, 89, died Jan. 18 [2001], at the Evergreen Nursing Rehabilitation Center in Olympia, of renal failure.

He was born July 5, 1911, to Charles E. and Lucy (Andrews) Barnard in Medicine Lodge, Kansas.

He married Opal M. (Thomas) Barnard on Dec. 31, 1932. She preceded him in death. He married Audrey L. (Yenne-Summers) Barnard on Nov. 23, 1990.
Surviving are: his wife, Audrey of Yelm; three sons, Don and wife Darlene, of Yelm, John Yenne and wife Mavis, North Pole, Ala., and David Yenne and wife Jan, Olympia; four daughters, Nancy Miller and husband Wade of Cairo, Egypt, Lynn Bulger and husband Tim of Glendale, Ariz., Susan Booth and husband Mike, Seattle, and Lana Yenne, Yelm Middle School teacher; two sisters, Alma Hoagland of Pratt, Kansas, and Geneva Wheat, Rogers, Ark.; one brother, William (Bill) and wife Ruth Barnard, Medicine Lodge, Kansas; 18 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews; as well as hundreds of friends. Two sisters, Evaline Clawson and Julia Knowles, preceded him in death.

Charles attended a teacher’s college after graduating from high school and taught in a one-room schoolhouse prior to moving to Boise, Idaho in the mid 1930s, where he was a farmer. He moved his family to Washington state in 1942. He entered the U. S. Army in April 1944 and served in the European Theater. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, Purple Heart, EAMET Service Medal, Victory Medal WWII, AT Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. He was honorably discharged in December 1945.

He lived to the Roy area until 1952, when he moved his family to the outskirts of Yelm. He and Opal owned and operated Barnards’ Shoe and Saddle on Yelm Avenue until sickness forced them to retire after 25 years.

He was an avid crossword puzzle solver. He loved horses and enjoyed riding horseback, being outdoors, reading and traveling. He served as Municipal Court judge for Yelm and Roy for several years. He was the first governor of the Yelm Moose Lodge, a life member and past commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post no. 5580 in Yelm.

He enjoyed listening to the choir sing at his church, The Yelm United Methodist, where he was Lay Leader. His booming “Good Morning, Congregation”, and “Good Morning, Choir”, wry smile, twinkling eye, quick one-liners, and broad shoulders will be missed by everyone.
Memorial services are at 3 p.m., Saturday Jan. 27, at the United Methodist Church on Second Street, Yelm.
 

Helen Virginia Schurb, 78, passed away Jan. 12 [2001], in Holt Summit, Mont., after a long illness.

Helen was born May 24, 1921, in Tacoma, Wash.

She received her education in Tacoma.

Helen married Glenn Stellman on Nov. 2, 1940. They had been married for 60 years.

She was preceded in death by her son, Stanley Stellman; mother and father, Ernest and Lillian Schurb; and two brothers, Arnold Schurb, and Charles Schurb.
Helen is survived by her husband, Glenn Stellman of Holt Summit, Mont.; two daughters, Glenna Henry and her husband Mike of Holt Summit, Mont., Lillian Doughton and her husband Richard of Sultan; one sister, Hazel Lamreau of Auburn; two sisters-in-law, Eleanor Schurb of Elko, Nev., and Elaine Schurb of Laguna, Calif.; four grandchildren; and one niece.
 

Marvin E. Carlson, 62, a 10-year resident of Olympia, died of cancer on Saturday, Jan. 13 [2001], at Puget Sound Healthcare Center, Olympia.

He was born Oct. 29, 1938, to Gilbert and Aune (Joutsen) Carlson in Shelton.

Mr. Carlson married Shirley Carlson. They divorced. He married Betty J. Arnold on July 30, 1995.

He served in the Navy from 1958 to 1960.

He was a public affairs officer with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Mr. Carlson enjoyed gadgets, unique foods, travel, foreign cultures and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Betty J. Carlson of Olympia; two sons, Robert Carlson of Jay, Fla., and Richard Carlson of Yelm; a stepson, Rus Blackburn of Allyn; three stepdaughters, Shelley Blackburn of Marysville, and Heidi Blackburn and Tessi Carpenter both of Monroe; a sister, Shirley Rutkowski of Auburn; 13 grandchildren; and two nieces.

A memorial service was held on Jan. 20, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Lacey.

Memorial donations can be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1201, Olympia, WA 98507.
 

Karen Louise Blair, 46, a 13-year resident of Roy, died of a heart attack on Sunday, Jan. 14 [2001], at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.

She was born Feb. 17, 1954, to Leonard and Ruby Kremer in Stayton, Ore.

She married Terry Wayne Blair on Dec. 20, 1979.

Mrs. Blair was a supervisor at Brigg’s Nursery, Olympia.

She enjoyed animals and fishing and camping with her husband and dogs.

Mrs. Blair is survived by her husband, Terry Wayne Blair of Roy; a brother, Jeffrey Kremer of Portland; two nieces and two nephews.

A memorial service was held for Karen Louise Blair on Sunday, Jan. 21, in Turner, Ore.
 

Alfred “Jerry” Anderson, 57, of Yelm, Wash., died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2001 at Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, Wash.
Jerry, formerly of Delavan, Minn., was born in Mankato, Minn. on June 14, 1943 to the late Alfred and Ruth (Hawker) Anderson. He graduated from Delavan High School in 1961 and served in the Army Reserve from 1963-67. He was married in October 1966 to Judy Stensland of Blue Earth, Minn. They farmed in the Delavan area until 1989, when they moved to Yelm.

Jerry worked as a shop foreman at a fence company in Tacoma, Wash.

Jerry is survived by his wife Judy of Yelm and three sons: Michael and his wife Laurie of Yelm; Matthew and his wife Tiphani of Ferndale, Wash.; and Adam and his wife Ginger of Yelm. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Kayla, Andrew, Mandy, Jordi and Zachary. Also surviving are his two sisters, Karen Trembly of Richfield, Wash., and Judy Frankham of Blue Earth, Minn., and two aunts in Minnesota and many nieces and nephews. His parents preceded him in death.
 

Sal Lei Mildred Kalama Ikebe, 78, a lifelong resident of the Nisqually Reservation, died of natural causes Sunday, Jan. 7 [2001], at home.

She was born Aug. 1, 1922, to Peter and Alice (Jackson) Kalama on the Nisqually Reservation.

She married Orville McCloud. He preceded her in death. She married Edward Ikebe. He also preceded her in death.

Mrs. Ikebe worked for Staatz Far, STOWW, and the Nisqually Tribal Center.

She was the Tribal Chairman and secretary for the Northwest Indian Women’s Circle, and she was a member of RWAN, Nisqually Mother’s Club, JOM, Indigenous Women’s Circle and Elder’s Circle, and she was a community volunteer.

Mrs. Ikebe is survived by five sons, Wah Le Chu, Johnny Games, Louie Edwards, Ste Wa and Kowoluch; five daughters, Sa Quo, Ah-Kah-hee, NukPum, QueDas and Jenny Matheson; a brother, Fred Kalama; four sisters, Zelda Thompson, Zelma McCloud, Yet-si-blue and Blanche Simmons; 18 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were held Jan. 10, at the Nisqually Valley Tribal Center. Interment followed at Leschi Cemetery, Nisqually Indian Reservation.
 

David Alexander Mundell, Jr., born on July 26, 1949, died on Dec. 15, 2000.

David was born in Everett, Wash., to David and Ramona Mundell. He grew up near Snohomish, where, at a young age he developed a love and appreciation for the outdoors.

David loved learning and when he wasn’t outdoors, he could usually be found reading. His interests were vast and those who knew him were aware of this by his knowledge of many subjects.

At 16, David realized his need for a savior and asked the Lord into his life.

In 1971, he married Anita Clapp. They served with Village Missions, pastoring churches in Elk River, Idaho and in Poulsbo, Wash.
David is survived by his children, Jeffrey, Gregory and Laura and a son-in-law, Gary Ockfen. He is also survived by two brothers, Dan and Jim Mundell; one sister, Yvonne Oczkewicz; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Gideons International or McKenna Community Church.
 

Jason Ryan Knight, 14, a lifelong resident of Rainier, died of cancer Saturday, Jan. 6 [2001], at home.

He was born May 7, 1986, to Victor and Kathy (Luce) Knight in Eatonville.

Jason enjoyed fishing and hunting with his father and water sports.

He is survived by a sister, Brandi Knight of Rainier, his parents, Kathy and Victor Knight of Rainier; his grandparents, David and Diane Knight of Puyallup; and a great-grandmother, Ida Vasquez of McKenna.

A memorial service will begin at 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 13, at Lake Lawrence Lodge.

Memorial donations can be sent to Rainier Education Foundation, P.O. Box 418, Rainier, WA 98576.
 

Doris Ella Cranston, 77, a resident of Yelm for 1-1/2 years, died of end-stage dementia Monday, Dec. 25  [2000], at Easthaven Villa, Yelm.

She was born June 26, 1923, to William Dau Sr. and Amy (Pierce) Dau in Portland, Ore.

She married Orvis H. Cranston on July 16, 1942. He preceded her in death.

Mrs. Cranston was a homemaker and a school bus driver for the Milwaukee (Ore.) School District.

She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

She enjoyed metal detecting, fishing and walking.

Mrs. Cranston is survived by two sons, Don and Richard Cranston, both of Canby, Ore.; a daughter, Kathy Cranston Percy of Yelm; 12 grandchildren; nine nieces; and eight nephews.

Funeral services were held Dec. 29, at the Church of God in Canby. Interment followed at Willamette National Cemetery, Portland.
 

Dorothy Jean Davis, 62, a resident of Yelm and a 16-year resident of Thurston County, died of emphysema Tuesday, Dec. 19 [2000], at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.

She was born on July 19, 1938, to Floyd and Bertha (Butler) Brotzman in Lakewood.

She married Kay Don Davis Sr. in 1962. They divorced in 1990.

Mrs. Davis was a homemaker and full-time waitress for Denny’s Restaurant and Husky Truck Stop in Fife.

She enjoyed river rafting, camping, and long drives in the mountains. She also enjoyed country and rock ‘n’ roll music, and spending time with her family.

Mrs. Davis is survived by three sons, Kay Don Davis, Jr. of Rochester, Richard Strong of Tacoma, and Michael Strong of Yelm; three daughters, Laurie F.

Krause of Hermosa Beach, Calif., Deanna Davis of Tacoma, and Michelle Davis of Yelm; two nieces and two nephews.
Services are private.
 

Michael J. Bachmeier, 49, a 12-year resident of Yelm, died Dec. 24 [2000], of cancer at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.

Mr. Bachmeier was born on May 10, 1951 to Peter and Frances (Burgard) Bachmeier in Fargo, N.D.

He married Pamela Arnold on July 14, 1989.

Mr. Bachmeier was an auto insurance claims adjuster for The Hartford.

He was a member of St. Columban Church, Eagles Yakima Lodge no. 289.

He liked to watch NASCAR racing, the Arkansas Razor Backs, the Minnesota Vikings, spending time with his dogs Luke and Lucy.

Mr. Bachmeier is survived by his wife, Pamela Bachmeier of Yelm, and his mother, Frances Bachmeier of Olympia.

A memorial mass will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 30, at St. Columban Catholic Church, Yelm.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Yelm Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 837, Yelm, WA 98597.
 

Everett Mansur passed away on Dec. 15 [2000].

He survived by his wife, Linda; one daughter, Loretta and son-in-law James; four grandchildren, Jodana, Dalton, Jessica, and Amanda all of Yelm; three brothers, Earl of Longview, E. J. of Leland, N.C., and Clifford of Cheyenne, Wyo.; and many nieces and nephews.

Donations may be made to the Northwest Kidney Foundation.
 

Dayton D. Green, 69, a 30-year resident of Yelm, died Dec. 14 [2000], of heart failure at home.

He was born on Oct. 7, 1931 to Roy and Annie (Townsend) Green in Akron, Colo.

He married Norma Bateman on Oct. 20, 1951.

He was a truck driver for Harold LeMay Enterprises. Mr. Green was a member of the Union Representative for Teamsters Local 313.

Mr. Green enjoyed being with his family and friends, and also enjoyed farming.

He is survived by his wife, Norma Green of Yelm; four sons, Clinton Green of Rainier, Richard, Kenneth and Daniel Green, all from Yelm; one daughter, Tammy Catterall of Tenino; six brothers, Alvin and Don Green both of Roy; Marv, Roy and Ivan Green of Buckley, and Ray Green of Enumclaw; three sisters, Laura Reed of Calif., Linda Carrier of Sumner, and Wilma Rosenberg of Enumclaw; five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one sister, Avalon Green.
 

Phillip Anthony “Phil” Randazzo, 62, a 15-year resident of Yelm, Died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Wednesday, Dec. 13 [2000], at home.

He was born April 26, 1938, to Matteo and Francis (Orlando) Randazzo in Detroit, Mich.

Mr. Randazzo married Ramona Rae Lynd on Feb. 25, 1961. He was an engineer for Sargent Industries.

He was fascinated by astronomy and organic gardening and enjoyed designing and making his own tools for impossible jobs.

Mr. Randazzo is survived by his wife, Ramona Randazzo of Yelm; three sons, Phillip Randazzo of Carrollton, Texas, and Robert and Michael Randazzo, both of Tumwater; two daughters, Elizabeth Van Valkenberg and Dolores Harned, both of Portland, Ore.; five brothers, Mick Randazzo of Arizona, John and Joseph Randazzo, both of California, and Sam and Frank Randazzo, both of Oregon; two sisters, Anntoinette of Catani and Mary
Strazzeri, both of California; nine grandchildren; 12 nieces; and 14 nephews.

Services are private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Muscular Dystrophy Association.
 

Maribelle J. West, 75, passed away Saturday, Dec. 9 [2000], in Rainier. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

She was born on Aug. 3, 1925 in Swea City, IA, and moved to the Tacoma area at age 3.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Bill, in 1988. She worked for over 20 years as a teacher’s aide at Lake City Elementary, and served on the PTA throughout all the years her five children attended school there.

Maribelle helped in many civic and community organizations and was very active in the Yelm United Methodist Church for the past 13 years. Her interests included crocheting, reading and sports. She was always very involved with her children’s and grandchildren’s activities.

Surviving family includes two sons, Bill West of Rainier, and Greg West of Spokane; three daughters, Connie Funkhouser of Lakewood, Joni Sue Miller of Rainier, and Patti Sooy, of Cheney; two daughters-in-law, Cari Franz-West, and Diana West; three sons-in-law, Robert Manning, Bill Miller and Jim Sooy; 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services were held on Dec. 15 at Yelm United Methodist Church, Yelm.

Contributions may be given to the Yelm United Methodist Church and the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454.
 

Donna M. Hull (Chicks), 75, a resident of the Roy area, died of cancer on Tuesday, Dec. 5 [2000].

She was born Aug. 9, 1925 in Minot, ND.

Mrs. Hull is survived by: Her husband Gene Hull of Roy; daughter, Linda Crocker of Roy; five sons, Steve Carlson of Puyallup, Chuck Carlson of Fox Island, Greg Hull of Steilacoom, Mike Hull of Roy, and Scott Hull of Yelm, and; several grandchildren; and great-grandchildren.

Family and friends gathered on Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Yelm Moose Lodge.
 

Earl Alvin Shepard, 65, a 22-year resident of Yelm, died of coronary arrest, Thursday, Nov. 23 [2000], at home.

He was born June 5, 1935, to Fred an Thelma (Stephens) Shepard in Olympia.

He married Virginia (Frye) Shepard and later divorced. He married Eva (Harshman) Shepard on July 15, 1978.

He was a tree faller for Weyerhaeuser.

He was a member of the Lions Club in Ashford and the Moose Lodge in Yelm.

Earl loved his family and grandchildren. He filled their lives with music. Barbecues, sports, and old cars were favorite pastimes. Logging, landscaping were occupations. He made great fudge and baked beans.

Earl is survived by his wife, Eva Shepard of Yelm; two sons, Earl Shepard Jr. of Mount Vernon, Wash., and Kurt Fredback of Yelm; three daughters, Debbie Shepard of Spanaway, Katie (Shepard) Jones of Spanaway, and Tira (Shepard) Roach of Lacey; 10 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Dec. 9, at Bethany Lutheran Church in Spanaway. Burial will follow.
 

Augusta May Myers, 95, a 10-year resident of Rainier, died of natural causes, Tuesday Nov. 28 [2000], at Panorama City Convalescent Hospital.

Augusta was born on May 10, 1905 to Victor and Evelina Johnson in Bloomington, Ill.

She married Carl Meyers in 1935.

Augusta was a homemaker. She was a member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Maryland. She enjoyed crocheting, loved to watch TV and traveling all over the country with her daughter and son-in-law.

She is survived by two daughters, Carol Sowers of Rainier, and Joyce Summers of Mechanicsville, Md.; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial will be held at the Mt. Hwy Baptist Church in Spanaway.
 

Fay Hix Earwood, 92, a two-year resident of Yelm, died of natural causes Tuesday, Nov. 28 [2000], at home.

She was born Feb. 24, 1908, to John and Alice (Wood) Long in friendship, Ark.

She married Bill Earwood. He preceded her in death.

Mrs. Earwood was a homemaker.

She was a seamstress and enjoyed reading, spending time with family and helping others. She was an avid Mariners fan.

Mrs. Earwood is survived by a son, Kenneth Hix of Brewster; a daughter, Alice Ann Phillips of Olympia; a sister, Bess of Warner, Okla.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held on Dec. 1, at Buckley Cemetery, Buckley.

Delmare “Del” Blocker, 64, a 37-year resident of Yelm, died of a heart attack Monday, Nov. 20 [2000], at home.

He was born Dec. 30, 1936, to Charles and Viola Hazel Blocker in Garrison, ND. He married Cherie Mitchell on June 7, 1959. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1956 and served his country until 1964 as an E-6, at which time he received an honorable discharge.

Del is survived by his wife, Cherie Blocker of Yelm; three sons, Edward Blocker of McKenna, David Blocker of Yelm, and Richard Blocker of Roy; three daughters, Patricia Young of Sedro Woolley, Jeneen Haley of Littlerock, and Jayme Blocker of Yelm; one sister, Eunice Mitchell of Phoenix, Ore.; 12 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Del managed sporting goods stores in Tacoma and Seattle, served as cubmaster of Pack 68 of Yelm BSA for two years and was commissioned as a Thurston County deputy sheriff in 1978. He also performed the duty of security and deputy at Clearwood Community for several years.

In 1972, he started college in Centralia, and went to work for the Yelm School District as a bus driver. As an employee of Yelm schools, he helped fellow employees become an organized chapter of the Public School Employees Labor Association of Washington during which time he was awarded life membership. He served as PSE Chapter president, Zone Six political action representative and state vice chairman; as just a few of his many successful involvements.

He was instrumental in instituting several new safety and labor laws before the state legislature. He was a graduate of Centralia Community College with an associate’s degree in law enforcement. In 1975, he graduated from the Evergreen State College with a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology, and nearly completed his master’s program with the University of Puget Sound. Del retired due to disability from the Yelm School District in 1987 and was soon appointed to the Washington State Retirement Advisory Board by Gov. Booth Gardner and later reappointed by Gov. Mike Lowry in 1994 as the vice chairman.

Del opened a business called A Sports Shop in Yelm, Morton and Tenino, but choose to close the shop in January 2000 because of failing health. He was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles No. 4144. He participated in the activities of the American Legion Post No. 164 and served as second vice commander.

Del enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, shooting, fishing and bartering for that “good deal.” He especially enjoyed sharing his hobbies with his children and 12 grandchildren. 
 

Oscar Arnold Bentson, 69, died Nov. 18 [2000], at his daughter’s home in Yelm.

He was born on Dec. 20, 1930 to Carl and Marie Bentson in Howard, SD, and moved to Bremerton during World War II.

He married Anabelle Heavey on Dec. 7, 1951. She died in 1978. He married Barbara Charter in 1981. They later divorced.

Oscar worked as a counselor after graduating from college, then as a parole officer. He returned to the University of Washington and began teaching fifth grade in Seattle Public Schools in 1960.

He is survived by three sons, Tom Bentson of Bellevue, Dan Bentson-Royal of Vancouver, Wash., and Joe Bentson of Renton; one daughter, Lyn Bentson of Albany, Ore.; one step-daughter, Clara Jackson of Seattle; two brothers, Wally Bentson of Southern Calif., and Ray Bentson of Ocean Shores; and 10 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Monrad, Bill and Arthur Bentson; and one sister, Marie Terheggen.

A memorial mass will be held on Nov. 25, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Albany, Ore.
 

Evelene Edna (Brown) (Landon) Deweese, died Nov. 26 [2000], in McKenna.

She was born on Aug. 23, 1913, to Opal B. (Bircher) Brown and Robert Thomas Brown in Wallace, Idaho.

Evelene moved to McKenna as a young girl and later to Yelm. Evelene owned and operated Evelene’s Cafe (now Jennee’s Bar and Grill) in Yelm for over 25 years.

She is survived by one sister, Georgie (Brown) Coleman of Shelton; two sons, Duane M. Landon and Robert T. Landon both of Yelm.

She was the proud grandmother of five granddaughters, Bobbette (Landon) Hamblen of Granite Falls, Tamara L. (Landon) Walton of Virginia Beach, Va., Heidi A. (Landon) Hudik of Woodbridge, Va., Amber M. (Landon) Koebberling of W. Va., and Tara G. Landon of Everett; and eleven great-grandchildren.

Evelene loved her family with unconditional love.

She spent much time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always giving of herself where ever needed.

She was a blessing to her family. She will be remembered and missed.

No funeral services at her request.
 

John Marion Neuschwanger, Sr., was born Nov. 14, 1924 to John and Olive Neuschwanger in Eckley Colo., and passed away Nov. 18 [2000].

John grew up on a farm homesteaded by his father in 1912, south of Eckley. He graduated from high school in Eckley.

He married Dorothy Chapman on Feb. 15, 1945 in Washington state. They moved to Oregon until he retired and then moved to Yelm.

He was a member of the SDA Church in Yelm. The joy of his life was his family and the senior citizen center.

He is survived by his wife; four sons, Dick of Springfield, Ore., John of Christmas Valley, Ore., Mike of Eugene, Ore., and Steve of Roy; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three brothers; and two sisters.

A memorial will be held at the Yelm Seventh-Day Adventist Church from 1 to 3 p.m., Sunday Nov. 26.
 

Bertha F. Burnside, 85, passed away on Friday, Nov. 17 [2000], in Yelm.

She will be greatly missed by her son, Donald Burnside; his wife; nine grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren; and many friends. She was preceded in death by her husband and daughter.

Bertha Burnside was a very kind and special person to everyone she met.
 

Terrie L. Whiting, 47, a 15-year resident of Yelm, died Nov. 17 [2000], of heart failure.

She was born on April 2, 1953, to Cecil and Beverly (Adams) Roller in Spokane, Wash.

She married Joe Whiting on Sept. 8, 1995, in Las Vegas, Nev.

She was employed as a deli manager for the Yelm Chevron Station.

She enjoyed her grandchildren and family.

Terrie is survived by her husband, Joe Whiting of Yelm; one daughter, Tanya Calugan of Yelm; three step-children, Bard Whiting, Patrick Whiting, and Joann Whiting all of Yelm; one brother, Randy Roller of Anchorage, Alaska; one sister, Erin McKibbin of Shelton; her mother and step-father, Beverly and Roger McKibbin of Yelm; and four grandchildren.
 

Charlotte “Lottie” Curtis, 86, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Nov. 10 [2000]. She was born July 18, 1914, in Portland, Ore., and was a former resident of Yelm. She resided her last three years at Union Park Retirement Facility in Tacoma.

Charlotte is survived by her loving daughter, Deloris (Cecil) Baughn; three grandchildren, Rick (LuAnn) Easley, Colleen (Bob) Shapel and Charlotte Beyschayi (Randy Tripp); five great-grandchildren, Jennifer, Melissa, Samantha, Heidi and Brittney; numerous nieces and nephews.

Charlotte loved rodeos when she was growing up and met her husband, Clifford, who she married on horseback over 50 years ago. They are now reunited for eternity.

She was well loved by everyone. Charlotte owned the Pixie Kitchen restaurant in Tacoma for over 10 years. She enjoyed playing card games and bingo with her friends and family. People were the love of her live and when you went to grandma’s house you never left empty handed.

Barbara “Janice” Whitman, 58, a 24-year resident of Yelm, died of heart failure Friday, Nov. 10 [2000], at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia.

She was born Dec. 31, 1941, to Clyde and Doris (Wilson) Siratt, in Hot Springs, Ark.

She married William “Jerry” Whitman on Dec. 26, 1998.

Mrs. Whitman was a nurse practitioner, and director of nursing at Mother Joseph Care Center until 1996.

She was a member of the Church of Living Water.

Mrs. Whitman enjoyed flowers, bird watching, antiques and collecting Fenton art glass.

She is survived by her husband William “Jerry” Whitman of Yelm; a son, Scott Morelock of Pullman; a daughter, Tracy Morelock-Senkle of Chandler, Ariz.; a sister, Patricia Morris of Wapakoneta, Ohio; two grandchildren; one niece and one nephew.

Funeral services were held on Nov. 15, at Olympia Funeral Home.
 

Carl E. Kidd, died Nov. 13 [2000], in Yelm.

He was born on July 7, 1917, in Spokane, Wash.

He was a former Yelm School bus driver.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Dorothy; three children, Janet (John) Jones of Yelm, Dave (Elizabeth) Kidd of Roy, and Ken (Karen) Kidd of Yakima; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Bertha Johnson, and Pearl Rhoades.

Viewing will be held from 2-7 p.m., at Firlane Funeral Home, Spanaway. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Nov. 18, at Firlane Funeral Home. 


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