Family and friends are remembering Kay Frankenstein, and sharing this remembrance with her community:

On November 21, 1932, a force of nature named Joy Kay (Rutledge) Frankenstein was born in Cascade, Idaho. Having gone out into the world and recently returned to her Idaho roots, she left us on January 8, 2023 while living in Boise, Idaho. As per usual, her passing was on her terms and her timeline. Fate and chance were once again cheated out of having the last laugh.

Growing up in Cascade and Boise, the two biggest influences in Mom’s young life were the loggers who worked for her father and the nuns at boarding school, both of whom had little success in taming her, but not for want of trying. From the loggers she learned her salty, direct style of communicating and that depth, humanity, and intelligence are independent of money and position. From the nuns she concluded that communing with the Divine is best done in the presence of dirt, plants, wild places, and children, all of which she nurtured and cherished throughout her life.

Kay obtained her nursing degree from the University of Portland in 1954. A member of the ski and tennis teams, she loved sports and liked a challenge, especially if it involved speed and winning. She met her husband, Paul Frankenstein, while skiing circles around him at Mt. Hood. Not being one to beat around the bush, Kay talked Paul into tying the knot on February 4, 1956 after six months and two dates. She was never one to dally once a decision was made. They lived happily in wild places in central Oregon and the mountains of Washington before settling in Seattle for the long haul.

Child-labor laws apparently do not apply to your own children and childhood was not to be wasted for her five kids – Paul Frankenstein (Linda Frankenstein) of Carmichael, CA, Anneliese Frankenstein (Sallie Neillie) of Bend, OR, Gretchen Frankenstein (Leo Shaw) of Seattle, Fritz Frankenstein (deceased), and Helga Frankenstein of Boise, ID. Graduation from high school spawned young adults who knew how to manage money, grow and cook their own food and feed whoever showed up at the table, figure out how to build something, stay alive in the woods, dress a wound, learn until you were in the ground, be ever generous to others and curious about the world, challenge injustices, and use the “crap that life throws at you” to make fertilizer. Kay could not help but always find a teaching moment, letting her kids try whatever interested them as long as it was somewhat legal, danger be damned. Our scars and bones have many stories to tell.

Her grandchildren, Otto Gabrielli (Cassandra Green), Augusto Gabrielli (Audrey Speicher), Paul Frankenstein, Monica Lane (Phil Lane), and Genevieve Duffy, hopefully have nothing but good memories and bawdy stories to pass along to Kay’s great-grandchildren, Hailey, Colton, Ashley, Enzo, and Yet-to-be-Named. Kay outlived her husband, Paul, and siblings Darrell Rutledge, Persis DeLaMare, and Patricia Rutledge, but they left behind numerous nieces and nephews who kept in touch with Kay to the end.

Her friends, acquaintances, and the few not unhappy to read this missive described Kay as fiercely independent, strong, supremely competent, self-sufficient, curious, steadfast, loyal, always genuinely interested in everyone, and a friend’s friend. Her idea of “family” seemed to extend to the entire planet. Her curiosity took her to more than 80 countries, her last trip as a passenger on the mail boat through Norway’s coastal islands. She cherished the people she met and the experiences she had with them as much or more than the monuments and art she viewed. While in assisted living the past year or so (on her terms of minimal assistance, of course), the staff joined her family, making her chicken adobo, keeping her apprised of their children’s goings-on, and just enjoying the fact that she genuinely cared about them and their families.

In her usual manner, Kay requested no fanfare in the way of a service, but wants you to spend your time and money instead by supporting people helping others and/or Boise’s children and families in need of emergency assistance by donating to Companis (companis.org), 1111 Harvard Ave E, Seattle, WA 98122, or the Boise Education Foundation S.A.F.E. Fund (boiseschoolsfoundation.com),

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends will gather Friday to remember Ronald Douglas Riedasch, who died January 5th. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with his community:

Ron was born December 11, 1942 to Glenn and Marjorie Riedasch in Seattle and raised in West Seattle with his sister, Eleen. He attended Lafayette Elementary, James Madison Junior High, and West Seattle High School, graduating in 1961. He went on to Washington State University, joining the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and a prouder Cougar you would never meet!

Ron then chose to serve his country in the Coast Guard as a Lieutenant (j.g.) from 1967-1970. He trained in Yorktown, Virginia and competed on the rifle team in Miramar, CA, placing fourth among rifle teams from all branches of service before deploying to Honolulu, Hawaii. After his time in the service, earning his MBA from the University of Washington in 1972, and playing semi-pro football as tight end for the Seattle Titans, Ron elected to work at Boeing, where he quickly rose through the ranks in defense (Seattle), electronics (Dallas) and operations (Everett and Renton). His manufacturing processes were named best in the nation in The Five Pillars of TQM: How to Make Total Quality Management Work for You (Creech, 1994). At the height of his career as Director of Operations, 747/767, he managed over 12,000 employees and received praise from colleagues and reportees alike for his honesty, fairness, loyalty, work ethic and ability to remain level-headed in crises. His family always felt exceedingly safe traveling on the planes built in his factories.

In his downtime, Ron adored being outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, hunting, fishing, or boating. He and his cherished wife, Ann, spent years traveling the coast of Western Washington and Canada with their boating club, The Rat Pack. He remained active and fit playing senior competitive softball in the Associated Softball League (Palm Desert, CA), Puget Sound Softball League (WA), and Senior Softball USA (national leagues) from the time of his retirement until his head injury in 2019. After he was unable to play, he always yearned to get “back in the game” and support his teammates. His belongings were full of notes from coaches on how to play better, and that’s what Ron always strove for: to do better.

Ron was devoted to his church, the West Side Presbyterian Church in Seattle, where he was a deacon. He felt so blessed to be able to lift up his fellow parishioners with prayer and support, decipher the Bible and offer advice and consolation where needed. He also loved to read the Bible nightly with Ann and discuss their thoughts on passages.

Ron and Ann adored traveling to Mexico, Hawaii, and Southern California to visit the grandkids whenever Ron’s softball schedule would allow, and they shared many wonderful memories with Ann’s lovely sisters, their respective husbands, and Sasha’s family. Ron was preceded in passing by his father, sister, and stepson (Jon). He is survived by his wife Ann, mother Marjorie, daughter Sasha (Craig), stepchildren Chris (Debbie) and Pam (Brad), five nephews, seven grandchildren including grandson Becker and granddaughter Ellia, and two great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity in Ron’s name. His memorial service is at 1 pm Friday (January 20th) at West Side Presbyterian Church, 3601 California SW.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends are remembering Gregor Terjung, longtime owner of Terjung’s Studio of Gifts in the West Seattle Junction. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with his community:

Gregor Terjung, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother-in-law, uncle, entrepreneur, artist, craftsman, passed away on the evening of January 9, 2023 at the age of 93 with his family by his side.

Greg was born an only child on September 19, 1929 in a rural area of Chicago, Illinois to immigrant parents from Hamburg, Germany. He spent his boyhood working on local farms and playing in vacant lots joining friends in pranks and antics. He told stories of rubber-band-pistol fights in the local cemetery, making their own ice-skating rinks and racing bikes with Wizard motors.

As a young teenager, he worked mowing lawns. He learned to paint from his pastor’s wife and created several beautiful acrylic pieces that are still hanging in the Terjung home today. He attended a four-year all-boys technical high school in Chicago and graduated in 1948. Soon after, joining the Western Army Antiaircraft Command at Hamilton Air Force Base in California, where he trained and worked as a draftsman preparing maps and charts.

In the fall of 1950, Greg married the love of his life, Gloria Pucci, and two years later left the army. Greg and Gloria eventually settled in West Seattle, finding work as a graphic platemaker, where he held fond memories of his work and co-workers. He also found great pleasure in sharing camping, boating, hiking, surf fishing, and clamming adventures with family and friends.

Finally, in 1969 Greg found an occupation that would serve him well for 50 years – proprietor of a West Seattle gift store. There again, he loved his work and found great satisfaction in serving people and making close friendships. Greg was active in the West Seattle community, serving as president of the “Junction Shopping Center,” was involved in the West Seattle Rotary Club, and acted as president of the Westside Italian Civic Club (despite his German roots).

After retiring at the age of 89, Greg continued to keep busy in his deluxe workshop, making everything from furniture to small toys, gifting most of his work to family and friends.

It was no secret that Greg had a zest for life, was hardworking, generous, patient, adventurous, kind and loved his family with all his heart.

Greg is survived by his wife Gloria, children Gina McCullough Grohs (Ken), Gail Spores (Beldon), grandson Reis McCullough (Azusa), and great-granddaughter Noelle. A celebration of life will be planned for a future date.

Please share condolences, photos and memories with the Terjung Family at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Gregor-Terjung

Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends will gather January 28 to celebrate the life of Donna Bystrom. They’re sharing this remembrance with her community:

Donna Jean Bystrom
October 3, 1926 – November 26, 2022

Donna was born and raised in West Seattle, eldest of the two children of Irene and Howard Whittlesey. She attended school at Lafayette Elementary and West Seattle HS, graduating in 1944. She went on to attend UW for a couple years and played saxophone in the band.

She was working as a clerk at Sears when she met Albin (Al) Bystrom at the Trianon Ballroom in downtown Seattle. They married in 1949 and lived for a time at her parents’ house as Al began his career at Boeing.

Donna and Al bought a house on Olga Street in West Seattle, where they started their family. Margaret, Elaine, and Keith began their lives in that home. In 1960 the family moved to a new home designed by Al’s brother Arne on 56th Ave SW where, soon after, Craig was born.

Donna was a stay-at-home mom; while active in St John’s Episcopal Church, she was involved in Saint Anne’s Guild, various committee activities, and the annual Rummage Sale.

In 1962 the family bought lakefront property on Mason Lake and over the coming years built a large cabin and dock and spent summers skiing, swimming, and enjoying campfires and happy hours with friends and family. Donna truly loved it there and welcomed the grandchildren who came to enjoy it, too.

Donna and Al traveled to Europe, Scandinavia, China, and enjoyed a number of sea cruises following Al’s retirement from Boeing in 1987. They were active snow skiers for many years with a close group of friends. When Al died in 2010, Donna stayed in the house for another year before selling and moving to an apartment at the Landmark in Ballard. She remained there until 2019 when she returned to West Seattle, living in an apartment at Mount Saint Vincent. Early in 2022 a decline in health brought her to Aegis Living in West Seattle.

Preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Al, and her brother, Ken, she is survived by her children, Margaret (Paul), Elaine (Tami), Keith (Debi), and Craig (Karen); grandchildren Eric (Andrea), Mara (Sean), Chad, and Kirsten (Blake); and great grandchildren Jardyn, Olivia, and Addison.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, January 28, 1 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Ave. SW in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, donations to West Seattle Food Bank in Donna’s honor are encouraged.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends will gather for a funeral mass this Friday and a celebration of life in March to honor Harold Foster. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with his community:

Harold Dale Foster, 96, passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022, in White Center. He was born on February 26, 1926 in Spearfish, South Dakota to Ralph Bay Foster and Gertrude G. (Willsie) Foster.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 66 1/2 years, Lorraine C. (Garceau) Foster, his son Michael Dale Foster, his parents Ralph and Gertrude Foster, and all of his siblings, including his brothers Ray Foster, Everett Foster, and Wesley Foster, and his sisters Fae E. Rainey and Lola Mae Foster, as well as many extended family relatives and very dear friends.

Harold is survived by his son Jeffrey J. Foster and his daughter Sue Foster; his grandchildren Kara (Adam) Peters, Amanda Foster, Matthew Lambertsen, and Mark Lambertsen; great-granddaughter Sloan P. Kilpatrick-Foster and great-grandson Oliver Dale Peters, as well as his nephew Wayne (Kathy) Rainey and Loraine (Rainey) McRae and many special distant relatives and very close friends.

Harold had a nomadic childhood due to poverty since his father Ralph Foster was always looking for work. He told stories of moving many times and having very little to eat while growing up, including working for a neighbor and getting paid with a sack of potatoes to help feed his family when he was a teenager. His Father died in 1942, a few days after having surgery for a ruptured ulcer, when Harold was 16 years old. He moved back to Seattle, where his mother Gertrude Foster was staying with his older sister Fae E. Rainey. Eventually, Harold bought a house with his mother near South Seattle Community College. Gertrude Foster was working as a Nurse, and he started working at the Boeing Company in 1943. He left the Boeing Company briefly to serve his country in the Navy from 1944 – 1946.

In 1948, Harold was back working at the Boeing Company and he met his future wife Lorraine Garceau through her sister Aurora Garceau. Harold and Lorraine had a double wedding with Lorraine’s sister Muriel and Keith (Bud) Pearson on September 15, 1950, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle. They had three children, Michael Dale, Jeffrey John, and Suzette Marie. They purchased their home in 1961 and Harold would go on to live there for 61 years with many family gatherings and Harold’s last birthday open house on February 26th, 2020.

Harold and Lorraine were parishioners at Holy Family Catholic Church for almost 70 years and had their children attend Holy Family school as well as their granddaughter Kara and many other cousins. Harold was also a longtime Aerie member of the White Center Eagles since the 1950s, where Harold and his wife would dance around the supporting pole in the middle of the dance floor at the old Eagles building. In later years, he would go to the new Eagles building to meet his “Cooney” friends (as Lorraine would say) for a drink at 4pm and he enjoyed Sunday morning breakfasts with his Eagle buddies.

Harold and Lorraine went on to purchase camping membership at Lake Trask Timber Trails near Shelton in 1975 with many other Sears and Boeing families. Camping was a great getaway from the city at their summer retreat. They made many friends over the years there who became like extended family and Harold always had a joke or two to share with everyone as well as a helping hand.

And that’s his story and he is sticking to it. Please smile to yourself when you remember him.

His funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 13th, 2023 at Noon at Holy Family Catholic Church in White Center, located at 9622 20th Ave SW. His burial will follow at 2 pm at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery, 350 Monroe Ave NE, Renton. No reception following.

His Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 25th, 2023 from 2 pm to 4 pm at the White Center Eagles, 10452 15th Ave SW.
The Foster Family is looking forward to celebrating this wonderful man’s life with everyone.

In lieu of gifts, please donate to Northwest Kidney Centers, PO Box 3035, Seattle, Washington 98114.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends are remembering Anna W. Missler, and planning a celebration of her life this spring. For now, this is the remembrance they’re sharing:

Anna Wilhelmina Missler
May 20, 1929 – September 21, 2022

Anna passed away on September 21, 2022, at the age of 93, after a short illness, with her family by her side.

She was born May 20, 1929 in Utrecht, The Netherlands, to parents Anna Christina Wilhelmina Albertha Bedina Huisen and Jan Willem Van Voorthuisen. Siblings Sophia, Willy, Christina, Yanni, Albert, and Chris. Times were difficult growing up during WW2, and her mother passed shortly after the war ended.

In 1950 Anna and Nicolaas Missler were married in Utrecht, The Netherlands. They welcomed daughter Yvonne in 1950, and Elizabeth (Christa) in 1958. With their young family, they immigrated to the United States in 1960, sponsored by the Fauntleroy Church, and settled in West Seattle. In 1961 they welcomed daughter Diana, and in 1964 Nicolaas Jr.

Family was most important to her, and she was so proud of her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Anna put herself through beauty school, and then became a partner operator at Elite Beauty Salon in the West Seattle Junction. She worked as a hairstylist for 20 years until 1993 when Nico became ill, and she retired to care for him at home. Nico passed away in 1996.

Anna’s next adventure was moving into her beloved condo on Alki Beach. She loved daily walks on the beach and sitting by the window watching the daily activities of walkers and boaters throughout the day.

A Celebration of Life is planned in May. Details will be provided closer to the date of event.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Friends and family are remembering Lola Shugart. Here’s the remembrance being shared with the community:

E. Lola Shugart – May 18, 1923 – November 23, 2022

Born in Missouri, Lola Shugart was a long-time West Seattle resident, first in the Admiral district with her husband, Bob, and then for 40+ years in her lime green house on 42nd Avenue SW. In October 2021, she moved to be with family in the Tri-Cities, where she passed away peacefully on Thanksgiving Eve.

Lola was known to many in the Junction, including neighbors, Safeway employees, and the tellers at numerous banks! She enjoyed standing at her gate and chatting with passersby, with whom she shared her love of gardening, dogs, cars, and politics. Lola was lively and outgoing, blunt and sometimes cranky, but always true to herself. The neighborhood is a little less colorful without her!

Her local friends would like to thank the staff and volunteers at West Seattle Senior Center and Sound Generations Meals on Wheels, who ensured that Lola was well fed throughout the COVID lockdown. She mentioned many times how much she enjoyed and appreciated your care … and especially the biscuits and gravy!

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Just before our recent storms, friends got the devastating news that Kalilah Hunter, known by many for her work at the temporarily closed Luna Park Café, had passed away. Here are remembrances they’re sharing:

Our dear friend Kalilah “Shmeow” Hunter sadly departed this world on December 16, 2022. She was 37 years old.

Kalilah was raised in Spokane and has been a West Seattle resident for around 15 years. Since she arrived in West Seattle, she has been a beloved consistent face at Luna Park Cafe. She found her chosen family at the cafe in her coworkers and regulars who she truly loved so much. She was a face so many looked forward to seeing during breakfast time especially at the cafe. Luna Park was her home and it was a part of her heart.

Kalilah had so many friends in so many different circles and was so very loved by all who got to know her. When she first arrived in the Seattle area, she was very active in the punk scene. For years she was a valued integral part of The Morgue underground punk venue. It was there at The Morgue that she made so many lifelong connections that she cherished so much. She always spoke about The Morgue with so much love and admiration, and she was very nostalgic about that very special time in her life. In general, though, as many know about her, first impressions were not her strong point. But with a bit of patience, once she let her guard down, she showed the loving and caring person she was protecting. Sometimes her love came natural and sometimes folx had to work for it. And I assure you, it was worth the wait, because to love her and be loved by her was a true gift. Her family circle was far and wide and included all different types of individuals, never with judgement, only with love.

Kalilah’s list of interests and accomplishments are vast. She was a yearly participant in the Polar Plunge and raised a lot of funds for the Special Olympics over the years, and she was a huge supporter of ASL (American Sign Language). She was a true advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and she always was ready to stand up and fight for equality and human rights. Shmeow was an incredible artist and produced hundreds of drawings and paintings during her art career. From cartoon characters to portrait realism, her immense talent was recognized by all. She was a proud member of the HappyTime Apocalypse art gallery at The Greenwood Art Collective for many years. Cats were prominent in her work, reflecting the intense love she has for all of the kitties of the world. Her art is a legacy that will bring joy and happiness for lifetimes to come. And her sense of humor was unmatched. She is truly one of the funniest and quirkiest people you ever have met, hands down. Laughs were always present in her company to say the least.

Sadly she leaves behind her kitties, Lilly and Ajah, best doggie friend Noodle, father and 2 sisters, incredible partner Lincoln, roommate Rachael, her favorite kiddos Victor and River, and SO very many of us who considered her family and loved her dearly. This is a loss of epic proportions for many and our lives will never be the same without her. Kalilah’s impact on the world was immeasurable, and she will truly live on in the hearts of all of those who she touched. She will be sorely missed forever.

Tributes from a few of those she touched:

“We are saddened to say that our beloved Kalilah has passed away. As most of our regulars know, Kalilah was a Luna Park staple. She started at Luna 15 years ago as a very young shy hostess. She blossomed into a great waitress loved by all her customers. There has never been such a sweet and quietly funny member of the Luna team. The Luna staff has always been family where most are lifelong friends. We were looking forward to Kalilah coming back when we reopened. She will be missed by all her customers, friends, and family. Rest in peace, sweet Kahlilah.” – John A. Bennett

“My family have been Luna Park regulars since before I was born, and that tradition has continued for the past 21 years. Though I’ve spent the last 5 years working with Kalilah at Luna Park, our relationship began with me as a wide-eyed kid in her section every week, in awe of her older, quirky, punk coolness. In this way it feels like I’ve known her my entire life, and I guess I have. I’ll never forget how excited she was when, at 16, I started working at Luna, and how immediately welcomed I felt, due in no small part to her enthusiasm and warmth (she is likely somewhere cosmically cringing at being described as warm and enthusiastic, but it’s true.) She was endlessly patient with me at this time, and despite my incredible awkward-teenagerness when we began working together, she always treated me like her peer. Over the years that we worked together and in the last few years specifically, she became my close friend and one of my favorite people in the world. I don’t think I ever told her this, but every week I eagerly scanned the schedule to see if we were working together (we always were), as the prospect of getting to spend time with her made me excited about getting up in the morning. She was endlessly cool and funny and truly, deeply, badass. Despite her badass exterior, however, she was never truly cynical. She loved so hard and so deeply, and if you had the honor of being her friend, you know how dedicated she was. She was unwaveringly loyal to those whom she loved, and was earnestly dedicated to making sure they felt it. I will feel honored to have known her for the rest of my life. I have enough stupid anecdotes of the shenanigans we got into to fill a whole book, but I’ll spare you that right now. I hope that wherever she is, she knows how incredibly loved she is. By myself, my family, and the community at large. F*cking love you, Shmeow. I’m gonna miss you. – Clara Humphreys & the Messier-Humphreys family (Tom, Carolin, and August.)

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends are remembering Pamela L. Allen and sharing this remembrance with her community:

Our dear Pamela Lea Allen, beloved mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and loyal friend, passed away unexpectedly in her home in West Seattle on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2022, after a brief illness.

Pam was first and foremost a loving mother to her son Alexander, the center of her universe. Alexander is currently attending Whitman College. Pamela was immensely proud of Alexander as he launched his college career at Whitman College so successfully. Pam’s heart was with her family and friends and her beloved pup, Harper Rose. She loved the yearly gatherings at the family cabin on Loon Lake in eastern Washington, where her family and devoted longtime made lasting memories together.

Pam loved the outdoors – hiking, backpacking, downhill and cross-country skiing, and bicycling. Her dream was to have a sweet little farm with goats and furry friends to tend to. She coined nicknames to her friends in her own special unforgettable way, and she made friends across the country and around the world as a traveler.

Pam was born in 1959 in Seattle and grew up on Bainbridge Island. She graduated from The Annie Wright School in Tacoma in 1978, and went on to attend Whitman College in Walla Walla, graduating in 1982 as an Art History major. Pam was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. Pam began her architectural studies at SUNY in Buffalo, New York, and later earned her master’s degree at The Southern California Institute of Architecture in Los Angeles. Pam was a talented architect, working for several firms in the Seattle area before starting her own architectural practice, Pamela Allen Architecture, serving her community near and far.

Pam is survived by her dear son Alexander Land; her adoring parents Darrell and Sada Kate of Bainbridge Island; her brother Timothy Allen and his wife Gina with their children Sam, Lily, and Chester; her nephews Daniel and AJ Allen of Seattle. Pamela was preceded in death by her oldest brother Gregory Allen. Pam adored her niece and nephews and doted on them as a loving aunt since they were babes in arms. She is also survived by her former husband and Alexander’s father, Jason Huntley-Land of Bainbridge Island, and was close to Jason’s mother Janet Land of Lincoln, Nebraska.

A private family memorial is planned as we share our grief together. A celebration of Pamela’s life will be held in late winter for her many dear friends and lovely neighbors. The family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this most difficult time. In lieu of flowers, Pam’s wishes were for donations to be made to: Whitman College, Hamlin Robinson School, or Mary’s Place Seattle. Please share your memories of Pam here and to stay informed about Pam’s Celebration of Life to be held in the near future.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends will gather Saturday to celebrate the life of James C. Haury. Here’s the remembrance being shared with his community:

James Clinton Haury
AUGUST 17, 1941, TO OCTOBER 11, 2022

Lifetime West Seattle resident and Marine Mechanic Jim Haury died after a short illness. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Born in 1941 to Clint and Margie Haury, of Haury’s Boathouse on Alki, Harbor Ave in Seattle.

Jim is survived by his wife Alice of 59 years and sons, Paul and wife Alizah Olivas, and Todd and wife Tasuray Haury, their two grandchildren, Nicholas Haury and wife Porsche, and Mikki Haury and partner David Lovett, and their two great-grandchildren, Vanessa Haury-Lovett and Ryoma Haury, and three granddogs, his sister Jeanne (Haury) James and brother Bill Haury, and his many nieces and nephews.

Throughout his Illness he kept his optimism, wonderful sense of humor, a most welcoming smile, and twinkle in his eyes.

Jim was a marine mechanic by trade for over 65 years with a large client list of happy boaters. Jim owned his own repair shop in White Center for more than 50 years. Todd joined him in 1984 and always worked alongside him and will continue the business in the same Haury care. Paul did the tech work and kept his computers up and running. Even though Jim was semi-retired, he continued to work until his illness worsened. Jim loved bird hunting, fishing, and boating, and hiking with guns and a camera, exploring the Pacific NW with family and friends.

Please come to celebrate Jim’s life with us. December 17, at West Beach Condominiums,
10203 47th Ave SW.
Building B, Meeting Room
12:00 to 4:00 pm

Please bring pictures and stories.

“Go, get lost in the woods. We’ll find you.”

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends will gather December 28 to remember Clara R. Dempsey. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with her community:

Clara Dempsey
March 31, 1931 – September 10, 2022

Clara Romola Dempsey passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 10th at Mt. Saint Vincent nursing home.

Born in Seattle March 1, 1931, to Norwegian immigrants Sigurd and Karen Thuen. Clara spent her entire life in Seattle, growing up in Madison Park and West Seattle, graduating from West Seattle High School in 1949

Clara married Robert (Bob) Dempsey on June 6, 1953, in Seattle, raising their three children in West Seattle. She worked in retail at Rhodes Department Store and Johnson’s Apparel and in the annuities department at Safeco Insurance, from which she retired to travel with Bob and enjoy her grandchildren. She spent many years fundraising as a member of the Seattle Children’s Hospital Fauntleroy Guild. She was a friend to many who appreciated her kind heart and sassiness.

Clara was a fan of the Seattle Seahawks and Mariners and enjoyed reading and crossword puzzles. She loved family gatherings, hosting many of them, and activities with her Seattle Police Family.

Clara was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband Robert Dempsey Sr. She is survived by her children: Kathie (Steve) Itter, Bob Jr. (Tobi), and Mike; four grandchildren: Sean (Kali) Dempsey, Hayley (Jared) Griffin, Katy (Chase) Itter, and Michaella Dempsey (Taylor Schulze); and five great-grandchildren: Ronan and Finnley Dempsey, Tyson, Ashe, and Landon Griffin.

A Celebration of Life is planned for 11:00 a.m. December 28th at Forest Lawn Funeral Home in West Seattle, followed by a reception at The Lodge at Camp Long. Remembrances may be made to Clara’s favorite charity, Seattle Children’s Hospital.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends are remembering Sandra Coryell Rudd, who lost her life after a collision last month. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with her community:

Sandra Lee Coryell Rudd passed away unexpectedly at the age of 83 in November.

Sandra was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a member of a multi-generation horticulture and landscaping family. After high school, she moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she met and married her beloved husband of over 50 years, Professor Dale Rudd. They raised their children, Karen and David, in Madison, Wisconsin, before she and Dale retired to West Seattle in 1997. Dale preceded her in death in 2018.

A longtime civil-rights activist with the League of Women Voters, she was a pioneer in Title IX gender-equity law in Wisconsin. She was a master gardener, propagating her own plants, and an active volunteer in West Seattle, focusing on feeding and clothing the local homeless and low-income residents. Last but not least, she was an animal lover and advocate and fundraiser for animal welfare.

An energetic, gregarious, and kind-hearted woman, she was loved by many and will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends will gather Tuesday to remember Daniel L. Nitkey, and are sharing this remembrance with the community:

Daniel Leroy Nitkey was born August 29, 1944, in The Dalles, Oregon; the first child of John W. Nitkey and Frances L. Fagan Nitkey. Danny died in Everett on November 25, 2022, at the age of 78, surrounded by his family.

As a young boy he built go-carts and raced them down 39th Ave and Marine View Drive with his friends and was a master at playing marbles – he started with a small bag of marbles and ended up with a large jar of them. Danny learned to drive on the country roads in Harrison, Idaho when he was 13 years old. He graduated from Sealth High School in West Seattle in 1962. After graduation, Danny worked for Nitkey Construction, his father’s company, before joining the U.S. Army, serving from 1963 to 1965 during the Vietnam War.

His parents predeceased him. He is survived by his children Cheryl, Roy, and Michelle Nitkey; his siblings Joan Kocharhook (Steve), Susan Griffin, Frances Kahler (Rick), Kathy Hostenske, and Lawrence (Eliza). Danny has five grandchildren – Anthony (Kate) and Brittany Modica, Hannah Nitkey, Ryan Keller, and Charlie Stensel, and three great-grandchildren – Laila Flores, Nicole Nitkey, and Isaiah Feil, and many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 on December 6 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 7000 35th Ave SW. Mass will be preceded by recitation of the Rosary at 10:30 am. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in St. Maries, Idaho, near his grandfather Andrew Nitkey.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Providence Hospital in Everett and Hospice for their care of Danny. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the John W. and Frances (Fagan) Nitkey Endowed Scholarship at Gonzaga University, Gift Accounting, 502 E Boone Ave, Spokane, WA 99258-0098. Gifts can be made online or by phoning Gonzaga University at (509) 313-6142.

Live stream of Funeral Mass can be found at: olgseattle.org/livestreaming-at-olg

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Three months ago we published this remembrance of Clara S. Hattori. Now her Celebration of Life is scheduled – here’s the announcement:

Please join friends and family to celebrate 103 years of life well-lived by CLARA SASAKI HATTORI.

Share your memories and stories.

December 6th, Tuesday
4:30 to 6:30 pm
at C&P Coffee in West Seattle (5612 California SW)

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends will gather one week from today to remember Mary F. Abernethy. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with her community:

Mary Frances Abernethy, 90, passed away on Monday, November 14, 2022. Mary was born on August 24, 1932 to Everett E. Herron and Mary Clark Herron on Beacon Hill, where she attended Catholic school. The family moved to West Seattle, where Mary attended Holy Rosary Catholic Girls High School until her graduation in 1950.

In 1955, Mary earned a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Seattle University. On November 5 of the same year, Mary and James D. Abernethy were married.

Mary then stayed home to raise their four children. Once her youngest was in the fourth grade, Mary went to work at Schick Shadel hospital as a rehab nurse.

Upon retirement, Mary enjoyed sewing and attending classes and other social activities through the Seattle Parks Department. Mary and Jim enjoyed going on road trips in their camper van, as well as going on cruises.

Mary is survived by her husband Jim, her children Bob (Annelle) Abernethy, Carol (Steve) Heurion, Kathy Vincent, and Jim (Blanca) Abernethy, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In her final years, Mary struggled with dementia. Her family would like to acknowledge her caregivers and thank them for their dedication, kindness, and compassion for her during her illness.

Funeral mass and reception to celebrate Mary’s life will take place on Wednesday, November 30, 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in West Seattle. (7000 35th Ave SW)

Please share memories, photos & condolences with Mary’s family on the Tribute Wall at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Mary-Abernethy

Arrangements entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends are remembering Charlie “Tuna” Fleming, and sharing this remembrance with the community:

Charles William Fleming
July 11, 1941 – October 3, 2022

“Tuna” Fleming (AKA: Butch, Charlie, Chuck, “T”). Charlie was born in Seattle to David Peter Fleming and Grace (Knoff). Growing up along the Duwamish River, he was briefly raised there on a houseboat, which was moved close by to 12th Ave SW – near West Marginal Way – and expanded. He attended Highland Park, Denny, Chief Sealth (he was a sprinter and hurdler) and West Seattle H.S. As a boy he was adventurous and bright and often chose a divergent path: fishing the River, running the log booms, roaming the woods, rebuilding and racing boats. As a young man he embraced work and a life – rambunctious, diverse, wild, boisterous, combative, creative, FUN and funny (after his major heart attack twelve years ago, he awoke in the hospital the next morning: Nurse: “Were you a smoker?”, Charlie: “No, I quit.” Nurse: “How long ago?” Charlie: “When was I admitted?”)

His entire life he loved: Hydroplane races (CdA was historic); dirt-track motorcycle racing; Hot August Nights Car Shows in Reno; parties; road trips / sports cars; motorcycles; Sports (Track & Field, Mariners, Seahawks, Golf, High School Athletics). He devoured the Seattle Times front to back every day. He had a near-photographic memory and could amaze you with addresses, street names, phone numbers, etc. from jobs and locales long past.

Through it all, Tuna worked: creating fine things by his hand – mostly as a Boilermaker and primarily as a world-class welder in Puget Sound Shipyards, Hanford, and Shops from California to Canada. For many years he owned “Pro – Weld Fabricating” which showcased his unmatched creativity and craftsmanship. He welcomed small jobs for individuals often building artistic gates, stairs and railings, etc. But he also took on huge Industrial projects with insightful savvy.

He shared his generous heart, cherished his friends, family, and most dearly, his beloved wife of 40 years, Trina (Jones). Life with Trina was largely responsible for his tamed behavior in the second half of his journey.

He is survived by: brother Mike Fleming, step-daughters Barbie and Stephanie, nephews Eric and Ryan Fleming, Tony Johns; nieces Joanne Fleming and Becky Fleming.

Charlie was preceded in passing by his father David, his mother Grace, his sister Francis, brother David Lee, sister Patricia Lynn, stepmom Emily Wolbert-Fleming, and his beloved Trina.

Charlie preferred that no Memorial be held … but warm memories of him, we shall forever hold close. RIP Tuna!

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends are remembering Mark A. Vinson and sharing this remembrance with the community:

Mark Alan Vinson, of Shoreline, died on September 25, 2022, after a nearly 4-year battle with colon cancer.

Mark was born in Seattle on January 5, 1974. He was an extremely bright and funny child who graduated from Holy Rosary School in West Seattle, Kennedy High School, and Pepperdine University.

Post-graduation, Mark worked in the Molecular Epidemiology Program at Pacific NW Research Institute in Seattle. He co-authored five manuscripts in reputable cancer research journals and helped design grant proposals funded by the NCI and Superfund. Having a background in cancer research, Mark was appreciative of the excellent care and compassion he received from the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance doctors, nurses, and staff throughout his cancer journey. Mark was brave and strong in his battle, taking care of himself until only a few weeks before he passed away.

Mark was a beloved friend to many. Reflecting on Mark’s passing, one of his closest friends, Toby Cheff, said, “Mark was a kind soul, very intelligent, widely talented, and genuinely cared about the plight of our planet, our country, and most of all his friends and family. It was through the toughest times that Mark showed his finest human qualities. Even through all of his suffering, Mark found a way to practice gratitude.”

Mark had many interests, including disc golf, drumming, music, art, and cooking. He loved to purchase items from area thrift stores to refurbish them for resale or thoughtful gifting to family and friends. He spent much of his time renovating stereo equipment – purchasing parts and repairing classic pieces. Mark’s apartment was like a museum – with treasures stashed in every nook and cranny and stories to tell about each of them.

Mark is survived by his parents, Alan Vinson, Jr. and Mary (Granquist) Vinson; sisters, Kristi (Mike), Jessie (Gerald), and Heather (Mike); nieces, Izzy and McKenna; and nephew, Jayden.

A funeral service is not planned at this time. Instead, donations may be made in Mark’s name to Hopelink or Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends will gather November 4 to remember Terry M. Gangnes. They’re sharing this remembrance with the community:

Terry M. Gangnes, 75, passed away peacefully at home on September 22, 2022.

Born to Arnold and Ila Gangnes in Seattle, Terry grew up in West Seattle and graduated from WSHS in 1965. He attended Olympic Junior College, where he competed on the schools’ gymnastics team. In 1968, Terry joined the Navy, where he served as an air traffic controller at Glenview Naval Air Station in Great Lakes, Illinois. Following his service, Terry moved back to Seattle with his then-wife and newborn daughter. He worked for United Parcel Service (UPS) as a driver for 31 years, serving the downtown Burien business district. Terry was inducted into the UPS Circle of Honor for having a 30-year safe driving record. He retired from UPS in 2001.

Terry was preceded in death by his parents, Arnold and Ila; sister Judy; and beloved four-legged companion Bogey. He is survived by his two children, Danielle (Megan), Tyler (Kaydee), and their mother Patty; his four grandchildren, Kya, Avery, Lola, and Harper; his two brothers, Ronald (Randy) and Rich (Janet); nieces Chani and Kamiana and nephew, Andrew.

Terry was an avid golfer, skier, fisherman, and Seahawks fan. He enjoyed gardening, bowling, hydroplane races, and photography. Terry was a 25+-year member of Maplewood Golf Course Men’s Club and served as a course marshal in retirement. He was honored with the club’s 2019 Hall of Fame award for his many years of participation and success in the club’s events, an award he was truly proud of. Terry was a member of Sahalie Ski Club since 1962, where he met many lifelong friends and enjoyed countless weekends skiing and socializing in true Sahalie fashion. He loved salmon fishing every summer in areas throughout Washington. A diehard Seahawks fan and season ticket holder since day one in 1976, Terry enjoyed attending games with family and friends. He will be greatly missed by many.

A celebration of Terry’s life will be held at Maplewood Golf Course in Renton on November 4th, 2022 at 1 pm. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made in the form of a donation in Terry’s name to the ASPCA or Special Olympics.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends will gather November 5 to remember Bob Yeasting. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with his community:

Robert Owen (Bob) Yeasting died in his home on October 4, 2022, at the age of 89 years old.

Born in Los Angeles on August 16, 1933, to John O. and Ruth A. Yeasting. Bob moved to West Seattle at age two, where his father opened a national accounting office to manage the Boeing account. As a teenager, Bob was active in the Boy Scouts, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout, and in the Mountaineers, where he climbed many of the peaks in Washington State from Mount Rainier on down; and hiked and climbed with Northwest legends including the Whittakers, Ira Spring, and Pete Schoening. After graduating West Seattle High School in 1951, Bob attended the University of Washington and embarked on an expedition that made the first ascent of the 14,070-foot Mount Augusta in Alaska in 1952.

Graduating from the University of Washington School of Business in 1955, Bob commissioned as an Ensign in the US Navy after completing NROTC, and married the love of his life, Rita Lucille Kramer. Bob and Rita moved to Long Beach, California, and he served as a navigator in the 7th Fleet and later, as a Lieutenant, joined the command staff of the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean, where their daughter Susan was born in Cannes, France, in 1957.

After completing his naval service, Bob and Rita moved back to Seattle, where he began his business career and they began to grow their family with the birth of Linda in 1960, Bill in 1962, and John in 1970. After working for William P. Harper and Son, Bob joined investment banking firm Foster and Marshall in the late ’60s, where he ultimately led their municipal finance operations as their Sr. Exec VP working alongside Mike Foster. When Foster and Marshall was sold in the 1980s, Bob opened his own firm and continued to distinguish himself as a leader in the municipal finance sector for another 20-plus years. His legacy lives on in the countless infrastructure projects he financed throughout the Northwest, from water supply and sewer systems to stadiums and marinas.

As his family grew, Bob switched his recreational attentions from climbing to skiing and sailing, along with many family hiking adventures and station wagon road trips. In 1965, Bob found a perfect lot in West Seattle to build their dream home, which he designed himself, to raise their family and where he spent his last 57 years. In 1977, after just a couple years of sailing experience, Bob took his family on a 30-day circumnavigation of Vancouver Island in British Columbia on a 36-foot sailboat. After 20 years of family sailing trips, Bob and Rita shifted to a 45-foot trawler, where they made seven round trips to Southeast Alaska via the Inside Passage over the next 15 years. Family and friends had countless opportunities to join them on these and other journeys that directly inspired many to join the boating community of the Northwest.

Always active as a community booster from PTA carnivals and political campaigns of the ’70s, Bob invested ever more time in the West Seattle community as he entered retirement. After teasing Rita about her countless hours spent on the Arts West association, he joined their board and led their fundraising effort to build the Arts West Playhouse, which serves the community today. He also led the West Seattle High School Foundation, which raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to fill funding shortfalls in music, arts, and sports programs, and served on an advisory board for the Genesee Hill school construction. Bob also became a deacon at West Side Presbyterian Church in his 70s.

Bob always enjoyed family time, whether hosting family gatherings or regularly traveling to visit. He enjoyed a good game night and could trash talk with the best of ‘em. As Alzheimer’s took more of his memory in his last few years, his personality and wit remained intact until the end, as he was winning games of Chinese checkers in his last days.

His richest legacy lives on in his surviving family, led by his wife of 67 years, Rita, and his twin sister, Judy Hughes of Orcas Island, four children: Susan ‘Suze’ (Frank Marcinko), Linda (Carrington Bailey), Bill (Julie Quist Yeasting), John (Susan Eastly) and their ten grandchildren, David (Kaila) Kroeker and Samantha Kroeker; Zach (Vera) Bailey and Carl (Jessica) Bailey; Kristin (Alex) Yeasting, Danielle (Sean) Gallagher and Alec Yeasting; Owen Yeasting, Victor Yeasting, and Olivia Owenby, along with seven great-grandchildren and counting! Bob was preceded in death by son-in-law Ken Kroeker and daughter-in-law Kerrie Manolovitz Yeasting.

His family fondly remembers him singing the Bing Crosby chorus: “Where the blue of the night, Meets the gold of the day, Someone waits for me,” as he would come to the dinner table. And his high compliment of a good dinner was “Just like downtown!”

A memorial service and celebration of life is planned for November 5, 2022, at 11 AM at The Hall at Fauntleroy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s memory to:
The Mountaineers, 7700 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115
mountaineers.org/donate

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends will gather November 12th to remember Carolyn L. Overton and are sharing this remembrance with her community:

Carolyn L. Overton
5/2/1935 – 9/12/2022

Carolyn Louise Overton passed away from natural causes on September 12, 2022. She was 87 years old.

Carolyn was born in Seattle on May 2, 1935. She was the cherished only child of Fred H. Heidrich and Dorothy E. Probstfeld, and lived her entire life on the same street as a third-generation West Seattleite. She attended West Seattle High School and graduated in the class of 1953.

To celebrate their graduation, Carolyn and her lifelong best friend, Phyllis High, took a trip to Alaska, where Carolyn met her future husband, Donald E. Overton, who was serving in the U.S. Air Force. After discharge from the service, Don moved to Seattle and they were married in 1955 at the Alki Congregational Church.

Carolyn and Don raised two sons, Greg and Dean. Carolyn was a dedicated mother: loving, supportive, and encouraging. She took great pride in her family and treasured her close relationships with her devoted sons.

In 1979, Carolyn was hired to manage the cafeteria at Alki Elementary School. She enjoyed working for the school district and she was adored by her many students for her kindness, generosity and caring. Many of her students and coworkers kept in touch with her throughout the remainder of her life.

When Carolyn retired from the school district in 1995, she began volunteering her time working for the Cancer Society’s Discovery Shop in West Seattle Junction. She made many friends through the Discovery Shop and enjoyed the reward of volunteering for a charity she believed in. For several years, she participated in a water aerobics class at the West Seattle YMCA and formed long-lasting friendships with several of the other members.

Carolyn had many gifts and honorable qualities; she was a beautiful letter writer, a talented ceramist, candy maker, and baker. She was famous among friends and family for her lasagna, canned peaches, applesauce, and deviled eggs. Carolyn was a progressive thinker, open minded, and accepting of all people. She had great empathy for others and even in her last days, she worried about friends and family who were going through difficulties.

Although Carolyn’s health and mobility declined in the last several years, she was grateful to be able to return to the house she grew up in and live independently in her home after her husband’s death in 2007. Carolyn was fortunate to be surrounded by many caring and thoughtful friends in her close-knit West Seattle neighborhood. The Overton family is thankful for the support of neighbors and friends who visited her, checked on her well being, shared meals, helped her with tasks, and brought her cheer, especially when she was housebound due to her health. We would also like to extend a special and heartfelt “thank you” to her very dedicated and loving caregiver, Maria Torentino, whose wonderful and compassionate assistance for so many years allowed Carolyn to remain in the home she dearly loved.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her loving husband and her parents. She is survived by her sons, Greg (Teresa) and Dean (Lisa), her special cousins: Sally Cruikshank, Jan Herzog, and Mar Hyde and their respective families, as well as her very best friend, Phyllis High. Carolyn was loved and will be deeply missed by her family and her many friends. “Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts”

A Celebration of Life will be held at The Chelan Cafe in West Seattle on November 12, 2022 @ 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Medic One Foundation, Providence Hospice of Seattle, or the American Cancer Society.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends will gather October 29 to remember longtime West Seattle bakery owner Carl Blake. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing:

F. Carlton Blake – April 11, 1925-October 6, 2022

F. Carlton Blake slipped away peacefully to be present with the Lord in the early evening of October 6, 2022 at Ashley Gardens in Mount Vernon, at the early age of 97. His family is filled with blessings having been able to spend many happy days touring the Skagit Valley during his year-and-a-half stay.

Born in Seattle, Carl was the son of Fredrick and Lila Grace Bowen-Blake. Carl proudly served in the US Navy aboard the WWII Naval ship HMS Europa in 1945. After returning home from his service, he enjoyed a long, full, and interesting life.

In 1950 he purchased Blake’s Bakery in West Seattle from his father, who migrated from Beaconsfield, England. Blake’s Bakery originated in 1927 by his father Fredrick Blake in South Park, then moved to West Seattle in 1946. Carl operated the business for decades, becoming a well respected businessman in the community. Many family members and wonderful dedicated employees worked with Carl throughout the life of the bakery where his masterful skills produced many delectable treats. He enjoyed a long membership with the West Seattle Rotary Club.

After retirement in 1997, his years were spent on beautiful Camano Island. He and his wife Susan of 36 years built their lovely home together, combining their families together to make memories. Together, they enjoyed dear friends, the westerly views of the Olympic Mountains, passing watercraft, eagles, military flyovers, BBQ’s, and of course his beloved dog Izzy. There was time for traveling, participating in the annual Camano Chapel pilgrimage to Mexico, the Camano Rotary Club, reading, trimming his prized raspberries, tinkering in his shop, scenic drives, ice cream, a spoonful of honey in his coffee, napping on the deck, sunny days, and especially time with family.

We will miss you beyond measure, Dad…..”To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord”

Carl is survived by his wife of 36 years; his children Daniel Blake, Robin Knight, Paul Blake, Sheryl Dierks, Nip Tucker, Sandra Tucker, and Mary Coller; his grandchildren JJ Knight, Zack Blake, Cori Lange, Gabe Blake, Jeffery Blake, Carlynn Rickels, Jennifer Blake-Rivera, Ezra Blake, Gus Dierks, Hailee Dierks, John Coller, Jason Coller, Trevor Caldwell, Levi Caldwell, Tait Tucker, Trew Tucker, and Trey Nyman; his great-grandchildren Jacob Lange, Colby Lange, Jaxon Knight, Hunter Toft, Conner Toft, Blake Rickels, Cooper Rickels, Mercedes Coller, and Jackson Coller.

Carl was preceded in death by his mother Lila Grace Bowen-Blake, father Fredrick Blake, aon Carlton Walter Blake, grandson Cole Carlton Dierks, great-grandson Oscar Daniel Blake-Rivera, siblings Rhea Mead, David Blake, and Betty Shooner.

Memorial Service: 1 pm October 29th, Camano Chapel, 867 West Camano, Camano Island.

In Lieu of Flowers – donation to: Camano Chapel Youth Program.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

Family and friends will gather October 29 to celebrate the life of West Niver, who died suddenly last month. They’re sharing this remembrance with his community:

With great sadness we announce the passing of West L. Niver.

Born November 8, 1958 in Albany, New York, died September 6, 2022 in Seattle.

West was first and foremost a man who wanted to help others, and couldn’t stand to not be useful somehow. An avid outdoorsman, he hiked across hundreds of miles of the Northwest and took great joy in the peacefulness of the forest.

He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1982, where he met his wife Cynthia, to whom he was married for 39 years. They lived together in Seattle, where West was a Financial Analyst at Group Health Cooperative/Kaiser Permanente for 30 years, retiring in 2019. West was also a fixture of the local Scouting community, spending many years leading young people into the wilderness, and training others to do the same. Also active in the West Seattle Kiwanis Club, he helped organize numerous community events and held several official positions in the club, including President. West Niver dedicated much of his time to serving others and touched countless lives in many ways, from events with hundreds of participants raising money and awareness for various causes, to passing conversations with people he had just met. His humor was quirky, but witty. He had a lifetime love of animals, and always enjoyed a spookily decorated house for Halloween. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife Cynthia and their two sons, Benjamin and Samuel (Amanda) Niver, his sister Geri (Larry) Niver Petkus, and his brother Drew (Debi) Niver. West also leaves behind his beloved cat Luke and grandpets Russell and Bodie. Donations can be made on his behalf to the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts of America or to the West Seattle Kiwanis Club.

His Celebration of Life is planned (corrected date) October 29 at Camp Schoenwald, 16030 Sylvester Rd SW, Burien. Event space opens at 2:00 PM with service beginning at 2:45 PM.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)