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Jean Henrietta Bunch
Jean Henrietta Bunch, age 96, a longtime resident of Hoquiam, died on March 15, 2015, at Fir Lane Convalescent Center in Shelton. Mrs. Bunch was born on June 19, 1918, in Hoquiam, Wash. to Richard T. and Mamie (Aldridge) Stritmatter. In 1935, she and LaVerne K. Bunch were married
in Hoquiam.
Jean loved the out-of-doors and would take her children and later her grandchildren for nature walks, camping, hiking, clam digging and wild blackberry picking. She was also an avid crafter, in particular embroidering, crocheting and knitting. She loved reading and doing jigsaw puzzles. She also developed a keen appreciation for traveling. She was active in her community, serving on the board at the senior center and at the voting booths and received an award for her care giving. She was a member of the First Baptist Church and was involved with the Grandmothers Club and the Red Hat Society. Her grandchildren contend that Jean’s wild blackberry pies and potato salad were the best in the world. Jean was small but mighty, climbing many mountains both literally and figuratively. She will be most remembered for her wonderful smile, and for her love and service to others. She adored her family, she was a good-hearted person, an amazing nurturer and a peerless example of how we should all live a life of kindness and tolerance.
Surviving relatives include two sons, Robert L. (Bette Large) of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Kenneth G. Bunch of Buena Park, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Johanna Peters, Susan Wetzel, Lori Wingate, Jessica Cerniglia, Matthew Bunch, Peter Bunch, Rudi Bunch, Karen Bunch-Sterling and Kelly Gulley; 17 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren with another on the way. We are all especially grateful to her nieces Pansy Bray and Twila Lewis, who have been there for Jean when the rest of us were unable to watch over her and care for her.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Charmalee Wetzel; a granddaughter, Cindy Floyd; a twin sister, Jewell Jameson and three brothers, Lester, Roy and Joseph Stritmatter.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to Harbors Home Health and Hospice or to the First Baptist Church of Hoquiam.
Visitation will be at the Coleman Mortuary on Friday, March 20, 2015, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 21, 2015 at Hoquiam’s Sunset Memorial Park. Memorial services will follow at Noon at the First Baptist Church of Hoquiam, 729 Eklund Avenue, Hoquiam. There will be a reception at the Church.
Roy Daniel Brumfield
On Feb. 22, 2015 Roy Daniel Brumfield passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by family and loved ones. Roy was born Oct. 4, 1929 to Elbert and Dovie (Rather) Brumfield in Montesano, Wash. He was the sixth of the family’s eight children. Ward, Hubert, Warren, Mary (Aubuchon), Homer and Robert all preceded Roy in death. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Betty (Jackson) Brumfield, a brother and longtime business partner William Brumfield, daughters Sandy Silvester and Jean (Terry) James, son Daniel (Jennifer) Brumfield, along with grandkids Ashlee Hughes, Shelley Hansen, Scott Silvester, Tysan James, Billy Crabb, several great-grandkids, numerous nieces and nephews, and of course his beloved dogs Stubby and Molly who occupied his lap for several years. Although Roy left school in the 8th grade to work in the woods, he had an appetite for reading and learning. He loved history, geography, current events and especially nature. To that end he far exceeded his formal education. Traveling was a passion and Roy said several times how he wished he could have returned to Africa again. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and outdoorsman. In the day there was nothing like the sight of Roy sitting on top of a spar tree he had just climbed and rigged and looking out over, what one can only imagine, was a view few have experienced.
Roy had requested that no formal services be held. There will be a get together with friends and family as a remembrance at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Montesano Fire Department who has earned many thanks from our family.
“A doubtful friend is worse than a certain enemy. Let a man be one thing or the other, and we then know how to meet him.” –Aesop
Sue Cole
OLYMPIA — McCleary resident Sue N. Cole died Tuesday, March, 17, 2015, at Puget Sound Health Care in Olympia. She was 76.
Arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives of Tumwater.
Sylvia H. Wyman
Ocean Shores resident and former printing press operator Sylvia Helen Wyman died Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen. She was 76.
There will be no services.
Cremation arrangements are by the Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Kari Urdahl
OLYMPIA — Longtime Aberdeen resident Kari Urdahl died at an Olympia care home Wednesday, March 18, 2015. She was 98.
She came to Aberdeen in 1951 and had worked in the kitchen at St. Joseph’s Hospital for several years.
A celebration of her life is planned at a later time and will be announced with a more complete notice in The Daily World.
Arrangements are by the Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Leah Rae (Mathews) Lauerman
Leah Rae (Mathews) Lauerman aka “Water Grandma, ” passed away unexpectedly on March 12, 2015. Born on Sept. 6, 1947, Leah was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and surrogate mother to all. She was the most caring person anyone ever met. After raising two beautiful daughters in Grisdale, Wash., she and Steve made their permanent residence on Mason Lake. All will sorely miss her mastery of cooking. Leah would often make feasts for any given event. It didn’t matter whether there were 5 or 100 people, Leah would cook for 100 (just in case more showed up).
Leah is survived by husband Steven Lauerman of Mason Lake, daughters Lisa (Kevin) McDougall of Montesano, and Laurie Lauerman (Jeffery Gregg) of Tacoma, grandsons Derek (Trisha) McDougall and Dylan McDougall. Her beloved parents Ralph and Bertha, siblings Beverly Mathews Stull, Jesse Mathews, Sharon Mathews and Ralph Mathews, preceded Leah in death.
A memorial will be held celebrating Leah’s life on Thursday, March 19th at 1 p.m. at Lake Limerick Country Club, 790 East Saint Andrews Drive, Shelton, WA 98584
Ruth Madeline Kurrle Hammock
Ruth Madeline Kurrle Hammock made her journey to Heaven Saturday, March 07, 2015, in Aberdeen, Wash., surrounded by her family.
Ruth was born Jan. 23, 1921 at the family home in Montesano. Ruth was the tenth child born to John and Inez (Barnum) Kurrle.
Ruth grew up in Montesano and graduated from Montesano High School in 1938.
Ruth married
Clarence “Tuffy” Hammock on July 9, 1939 at the Montesano United Methodist Church. Tuffy preceded Ruth in death in 1981. Ruth and Tuffy had three children, Ray Hammock, Tom Hammock and Patti Hammock-Hogan-Baugher.
Ruth worked for the accounting firm of Aiken and Sanders in Montesano for 29 years. Ruth also worked for Valentine Logging in Alaska and Rognlin’s in Aberdeen. After retiring Ruth did volunteer income taxes for the VITA Program. Ruth and Tuffy also owned and operated an ice cream shop in Montesano until 1942.
Ruth was a life member of the Montesano United Methodist Church. She was a 50 plus year member of Eastern Star and was Mother Advisor to the Rainbow Girls. Ruth also belonged to a “Sewing” Club.
In 1970 Ruth and Tuffy moved to Chehalis, moving back to Montesano in 1975. In 2008, Ruth moved to Highgate Senior Living in Yakima, Wash. While there Ruth was picked to throw out the first pitch at a Yakima Bears baseball game. Ruth moved back to Grays Harbor in 2011 and lived at Westhaven Villa in Aberdeen.
Ruth was not one to stay idle. She and Tuffy loved to travel. They would visit family, take yearly trips to “the south” with friends, and attended many Afif Shriner events. After Tuffy passed, Ruth’s sister Dorothy and her brother Bob became her traveling companions. Ruth travelled to Europe, the Orient, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Arizona for Spring Training, Branson, and many more. She also loved to take Discovery Cruise trips with her friends.
Ruth had a vivacious attitude and loved people. She loved to laugh and found humor in everything. Ruth was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. When Ruth became a great-grandmother she insisted everyone call her GG. Ruth was a go getter and made sure people did what was right; this is why she also had the nickname of Sarge.
Ruth was preceded in death by her parents John and Inez; her children Tom and Patti; her sisters Genevieve Wisdom, Velma Struckman, Rita Neves and Dorothy Neinast; her brothers Baby Boy Kurrle, Glenn Kurrle, Alfred Kurrle, LaVern Kurrle, John (Jack) Kurrle and Robert (Bob) Kurrle.
Ruth is survived by her son Ray of Montesano and her son Tom’s widow Mary Hammock of Chimacum, Wash. Ruth is also survived by her grandchildren Brian (Cindy) Hammock, Cyndi (Darrin) Bies, Marci (Mike) Scott, Dan Hammock, Debi Ledesma, Rick Hogan, Shannon (Jeff) Clark; great-grandchildren Brandon Phillips, Brady Phillips, Ryan Hogan, Paige Hammock, Chris Hammock, Shelbi Clark, Logan Clark and Donny Bies, Zach Scott and Jessica Scott.
A graveside service will be held at the Wynooche cemetery in Montesano on Sunday, March 29, 2015 at 1:30 p.m. Following the service there will be a reception at the Montesano Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.
Suggested donations in Ruth’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Western & Central Washington State Chapter, Alzheimer’s Association at ATTN: DEVELOPMENT DEPT., Alzheimer’s Association, North Tower, 100 West Harrison Street, N200, Seattle, WA 98119, the Montesano Volunteer Fire Department; which Tuffy helped start, or a charity of your choice.
The family cannot thank the staff at Westhaven Villa enough. You cared for Ruth like she was a part of your own family. She loved and enjoyed each and every one of you.
Arrangements were entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary of Montesano, Wash.
Caroline Marie Forsman
Caroline Marie Forsman passed away peacefully in her sleep March 19, 2015, at St. Peters Hospital in Olympia.
She was born in Montesano to Paul and Elizabeth (Mundt) Framke on Aug. 27, 1926, in the family farmhouse located just a couple hundred feet from her home of the last 60 years.
Caroline married
the love of her life, Glenn Forsman on June 7, 1944, the day after D-Day, at the home of her brother, Ken Burnham, in La Mesa, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her husband Glenn, beloved son Randy, infant sister Pauline Framke, and brothers Ellis P. (Jim) Burnham and Ken Burnham.
She is survived by her sister Dorothy Aaronson; sons Jeffery and Richard; grandchildren JoAnne Broten, Robert and Daniel J. Forsman; great-granddaughter Codi Jo Broten and numerous step-grand and great-grandchildren.
She lived her whole life, except for a year during World War II, in Montesano. She worked for the Timberland Library and with Jess Luellen, ran the bookmobile to remote areas of the beaches, Quinault area, Wishkah, East Hoquiam and North River. After she left the library, she worked for the Grays Harbor County Treasurer’s Office until her retirement.
The family requests instead of flowers, those contributions may be donated to the charity of your choice.
Services will be held in her church, the Montesano Presbyterian Church, 201 East McBryde at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2015.
Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.
Gerald H. ‘Jerry’ Walker
Gerald H. ‘Jerry’ Walker, 89, former chief appraiser for Grays Harbor County and Rainier Bank manager in Cosmopolis and Montesano, died Monday, March 16, 2015, in Aberdeen, Wash.
Jerry was born on Aug. 4, 1925, in Elma, Wash., to Russell and Margaret Walker. He graduated from Elma High School in May 1943 and went to work at Bremerton Naval Shipyard on ships damaged at Pearl Harbor.
He joined the Navy on July 2, 1943. After boot camp and training at the Naval Training Station in Farragut, Idaho, he was sent to North Africa and Corsica to join Squadron 15 on PT Boat 215, which assisted in the Allied Invasion of Southern France in Spring of 1944. Later he was transferred to Squadron 9, PT Boat 319 in the Philippines. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in April, 1946. He was proud to have served his country during World War II.
On Nov. 27, 1948, Jerry and Mary Kathleen Havens were married
in St. John’s Catholic Church, Montesano. They raised their six children in Montesano and had celebrated 64 years of marriage until Kathleen’s death on March 30, 2013.
In 1957 Jerry went to work for the National Bank of Commerce in Montesano and later in Aberdeen. He was branch manager of the Cosmopolis branch of Rainier Bank and finished his banking career as manager of the Montesano Rainier Bank. Jerry retired from banking in 1978 and later worked for the Grays Harbor County Assessor’s Office as Chief Appraiser for 12 years, retiring in July 1990.
A lifetime member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Montesano, he was a tireless volunteer and a man of faith. Jerry was a Past Post Commander of Montesano VFW and served on the Honor Guard for many years. He also was on the City of Montesano Board of Adjustment, Lion’s Club member, and United Way volunteer. Jerry enjoyed clam digging, fishing and playing golf. He was a Montesano Bulldog Booster and followed Montesano High School sports. He was on the MHS football Chain-Gang for over 10 years. He rarely missed a game in which his children or grandchildren played, and continued to attend high school sporting events until 2013.
Jerry Walker was known for his gentle sense of humor. He was a family man who enjoyed attending the many school, music, and sport activities of his six children. He was a blessing to his mother-in-law Esther Havens and maintained her home for many years.
Jerry is survived by six children, Teresa (Frank) Jones of Pullman, Janet (Rick) Holland of Anchorage, Alaska, Michael Walker of Seattle, Maureen (Gary) Espedal of Montesano, David (Sandi) Walker of Everett and Robert (Lynn) Walker of Mt. Vernon; 13 grandchildren, Darren (Keri) Jones, Justin Jones, Sarah Holland, Eric Holland, Curtis Espedal, Craig (Brittany) Espedal, Justine Walker, Krista Walker, Reed Walker, Preston Walker, Lauren Walker, Jillian Walker and Gabriel Walker; four great-grandchildren, Colby Jones, Courtney Jones, Isabelle Shelton and Easton Espedal. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and brother Harold Walker.
A Rosary service will be held on Monday, March 23, 2015, at 7 p.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church. The funeral Mass is on Tuesday, March 24, 2015, at 11 a.m. at St. John’s Catholic Church in Montesano with a reception to follow. Inurnment with military honors will be at Montesano Wynooche cemetery at 2:30 p.m.
Memorial donations are suggested for the Montesano Volunteer Fire Dept., 310 E. Pioneer Ave., Montesano, WA 98563.
Arrangements are entrusted to Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Karen (Cline) Ferry
Karen was born Sept. 17, 1953, in Ontario, Ore., and grew up in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. She died March 3, 2015, at her home in Westport, Wash. The following obituary is written in her own hand:
The thing about writing one’s own obituary is that one can go on and on about how wonderful one is. You who knew me don’t need me to say that—you either liked me or you didn’t.
My parents, who passed away long before me, were my dad, Kenneth Robert Cline, born in 1924 in Kuna, Idaho, and my mom, Florence Imogene Farni, born in Hammon, Okla., in 1927. They married
in October 1952. I came along in 1953, and then my brother, Kenneth Robert, in 1954.
We only have one surviving auntie left, Nadine. My brother used to call her and Aunt Theo the magpie sisters because they could keep a conversation going forever. Nadine has always been there for me, never forgetting a birthday or Christmas. I always remember smelling her yummy Avon perfumes in every container you can imagine—one of my favorites was the ice cream cone-shaped bottle that smelled so light and fresh. That must have been fifty years ago.
I have scads of cousins on both sides of the family, some who I’m close to and others who I’ve not seen in years. I’m lucky to know most of Mike’s cousins. They’ve accepted me into the family, and have always been kind and fun. I have five nieces, three nephews, two great-nieces, and a great-nephew who give Mike and I much joy.
I have my truly wonderful husband—yes, I know, the darn building inspector. If you really knew him, you’d know a kind, generous man with the biggest heart ever. It wasn’t always easy, but it was always worth it.
There is also my brother, Ken. He’s true blue, loyal and kind. He would do anything for Mike and I and his friends. He’s as fond of our clams and boletes as we are of his morels.
And, my sister friends, you know who you are. I am ever grateful for your support and love, keeping me sane when I’ve just not been so sure.
Then it’s our beaches, my garden, and doing art that have chinked all those little cracks left around my heart. My heart is full, no regrets! I was able to have many good adventures through my life, and was lucky that Mike was up to driving and taking us on more. I have two other great loves that I’ve missed, my dogs, Catfish and Hellen. They and the ducks and the cats made us laugh every day.
My heart is filled with joy and although I don’t really want to leave you all, the energy I have left needs to go meet up with the energy I have lost so I can be whole again and see what comes next.
Karen didn’t want a funeral service, a memorial, or a celebration of life, but she understood that her friends and family would want to gather to remember her in some way, so she wanted it to be a party. “Well, then, ” she said, “you’d better just have a damn wake.”
Karen Ferry’s Damn Wake will be Saturday, April 18, 2015, at her home at 260 E. Harms Drive in Westport, starting at noon.
Janice (Hansen) Erickson (1941 – 2015)
Janice (Hansen) Erickson went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 16, 2015 surrounded by her loving family and close friends.
She and Jerry M. Erickson were married
on Jan. 31, 1958 in San Diego, Calif. While Jerry was in the Navy, Janice would live between Southern California and the Harbor. After his discharge, they took permanent residence in Hoquiam.
Community involvement was important to her. She was a longtime member of PEO, Civic Choir, First Presbyterian Church of Hoquiam, of which she was a member of the church choir and numerous Bible studies and was active in themed dinners. For a few years during the late 1970s, she was a librarian for Emerson Grade School.
Jan is survived by her husband, Jerry Erickson of Hoquiam; her children, Kenneth Erickson and his wife Pamela of Aberdeen and Duke Erickson and his wife, Veronica of University Place; her brother Russell “Rusty” Hansen and his wife Linda of Shelton; grandchildren, Rebecca Sowders and her husband Ben, Andrew Erickson, Daniel Erickson and his wife Amanda, and James Erickson; great-grandson, Evan Sowders and several nieces nephews, relatives and many dear friends.
She was preceded in death by her son, Michael Erickson and her parents, Walt and Jean Hansen.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on March 28, 2015 at Immanuel Baptist Church.
A private urn committal service will be held at Hoquiam’s Sunset Memorial Park.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to PEO Chapter T or to First Presbyterian Church of Hoquiam.
Russell E. Wright
Russell Eugene Wright, a South Bend resident, died Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at the Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen. He was 51.
Russell was a graduate of La Puente High School in California and earned an associate’s degree in automotive technology.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date.
Cremation arrangements are by Stoller’s Mortuary in Raymond.
