Search Archived Marriage Records
Kenneth Alexander Underwood
Kenneth Alexander Underwood, 71 years of age and a longtime Taholah, Wash., area resident, died on Wednesday, April 8, 2015, at his home in Taholah. He was born on Jan. 17, 1944, in Aberdeen, Wash., to Robert Underwood and Hazel Purdy.
Kenneth was a loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle and loyal friend.
He was a program director for the tribe and was one of their basketball coaches. He worked as a fisherman, a logger and a chemical dependency counselor. He enjoyed traveling, people watching, hanging with friends, tribal tournaments, church, boxing, canoe races, Elvis, old western movies, spending time at the casino and jokes and laughter.
He belonged to the Taholah Lions Club, the Elks Club and a member of a bowling and pool leagues.
Surviving relatives include a son, Eugene Underwood and his wife, Sinead Capoeman; a daughter, Yvonne Bell; foster sons Ken Comenout Jr. and David Purdy; siblings Richard Underwood Sr., Byrdeen Underwood and Robert Underwood, all of Taholah and 11 grandchildren, William, Teresa, Adrian, Elizabeth, Nathan, Samantha, Jimmy, Hayzen, Tommy, Peyton and Sean.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by daughters Cheryl Underwood, Jodie Smith, Adrian; infant sons, Dustin and Derrik Underwood and a brother, Dave “Tubby” Underwood.
A candlelight service will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, April 12, 2015, and an Indian Shaker Service at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 13, 2015, both at the Taholah Community Center.
Concluding services will be at the Taholah cemetery, with a dinner following at the Community Center.
Direction is by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
Beth Ferna Gigstad Morris
Beth Ferna Gigstad Morris was born on Dec. 11, 1921, to John and Hazel (Owen) Gigstad in Portland, Ore. She grew up in Aberdeen, Wash., the oldest of four children. Beth died of natural causes on April 7, 2015, with family at her side.
Her creative and independent streak surfaced early and was a thread throughout her life. After graduating early from Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen, she attended classes at Grays Harbor Junior College, at a time when many women were not able to pursue higher education. She learned the sign painting trade from a friend, though she was ultimately excluded from the sign painter’s union for her gender. With those artistic skills, she made window displays and signs for several retail stores and theaters in Aberdeen and elsewhere.
During World War II, Beth was maid of honor for her friend, Marian. At the wedding reception, she was asked to dance by a handsome young lieutenant stationed at Fort Lewis, W. Vaughan Morris. He courted her diligently (his first letter was sent without address to “Beth Gigstad, Aberdeen, Wash., ” but somehow found its destination) and they were married
June 17, 1943, in San Francisco. Beth and Vaughan lived in Watsonville, Calif., and Beach, N.D., before moving to Billings, Mont. in 1946. She was a natural leader in her family and she helped her brother, Ben, and her sister, Mary Lou, to come to Billings and get established there also.
Both of Beth and Vaughan’s children, Tom and Nancy, were born on the same day — six years apart! Beth was devoted to her children, and deeply engaged in their activities. She led, at different times, a Boy and a Girl Scout troop. She also made sure they had ample opportunity to learn and explore, and managed to have her own fun creating numerous costumes and craft projects.
Beth did display advertising for the Buttreys Suburban department store in downtown Billings in the 1950s. She was also the first woman to work in the display advertising department for the Billings Gazette in the 1960s. She retired when her husband and his partner sold the Swain & Morris Construction Company, an electrical line construction company in 1979.
For over 25 years, Beth was part of the “lunch bunch”, a group of friends who met weekly to visit, do crafts, and enjoy their friendship. When her friends needed some hard-to-find item for a project, they checked first with Beth (and her well-stocked garage and basement). Beth painted murals for friends and grandchildren, and would organize family adventures, from birthday treasure hunts, scouting outings and weekend trips with them.
Beth and Vaughan enjoyed a close and loving marriage for 43 years. After retirement and until his death in 1986, they travelled throughout the US, Canada and the Caribbean. After Vaughan’s death, she traveled with family and friends overseas, visiting France, England, Ireland and Costa Rica. She enjoyed walking tours and made long-term friendships with people she met along the way. She and her friends especially enjoyed the Isles of Scilly and Housel Bay on the Lizard in England.
Beth moved to Helena in 2008 to be close to her daughter, Nancy, and her family. She had a special place in her heart for the family place on Flathead Lake and the many wonderful days she spent on Finley Point.
Beth maintained a sense of humor, and a warm laugh, throughout her life and she was always ready to help in any way she could. She loved being a grandmother, and made each grandchild feel special. Beth was a wonderful mother, grandmother and friend — a strong, smart and loving woman, and a great support to all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Hazel Gigstad, brothers Jack Gigstad and Ben Gigstad, and her husband, Vaughan Morris. Beth is survived by her children, Tom Morris (Loreen) and Nancy Nicholson (Alan); her sister Mary Lou Miller; her grandchildren Paul Nicholson (Heather), Kristin Nicholson, Chris Nicholson, Aaron Nicholson (Yunjeong), Molly Nicholson and Jon Morris (Monica), as well as her great-grandchildren, Craig and Shelby Nicholson, Mullain Masuga-Nicholson, Sean, Miles and Madeline Morris, and numerous nephews and nieces.
Special thanks are due to all the staff at Son Heaven, who so lovingly cared for Beth these last seven years.
Memorials can be sent to Exploration Works or the Helena Education Foundation in Helena, to the Family Services in Billings, or a charity of your choice. A memorial service will be scheduled to be held in Billings in June.
Dorothy Marlene Gibson
Longtime Harbor resident Dorothy Marlene Gibson passed away on March 15, 2015, at St. Peters Hospital in Olympia, Wash. She was born Aug. 7, 1937, to John and Cora Lind. She was raised the majority of her childhood in Elma and graduated from Elma High School in 1955, later attending Grays Harbor College.
On Feb. 27, 1959, she married
John (Jack) Elmer Gibson in Aberdeen, he passed away on May 24, 2009. Dorothy worked as a waitress/cook at the Chicken Roost in Satsop, then went on to be a telephone operator for Pacific Northwest Bell and a billing agent for West Coast Telephone. She also worked at Elma Pharmacy, Oakhurst as a Social Worker and retired from Senior Information and Assistance, where she was a case manager and helped keep people out of nursing homes, helping them get the care they needed.
She belonged to the Eagles Auxiliary for over 40 years and was on the board of directors at the Elma Senior Center.
She loved sewing, gardening, reading, spending time with the grandkids and of course the Casino.
Dorothy is survived by her daughter Jackie Johnson; two sisters, Jeanette McHatton and Carol Lind; six grandchildren, Jessica Sandstrom, Jennifer Sandstrom, Dustin Schindele, step-grandchildren, Colton Johnson, Chase Johnson and Klover Johnson; along with her very spoiled dog “Missy, ” who is now with her daughter and continues to be spoiled. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband.
Robert E. (Bob) Boyle Sr.
Robert E. Boyle Sr. passed away suddenly on June 11, 2015, at Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Wash. He was 65.
Robert was born Nov. 28, 1949, in Tacoma, Wash., and moved with his family to their beach home in Grayland in 1967, where he graduated from Ocosta High School in 1968. He married
Della (Meadows) in February 1973 and they had two children, Robert and Barbara. Following their divorce, he met his soul mate, Dena (Vessey) and they married
in May 1981; they had one child, Melinda. He began working at Ocean Spray Cranberries in Markham, Wash., in 1973, and rose to the rank of master mechanic, helping to facilitate the company’s expansion into new product lines and new facilities before retiring in 2005.
Robert loved the great outdoors, and was happiest while sharing his passions for fishing and hunting with his family. He also enjoyed gardening and traveling along the coast. He moved to Olympia in 2012, enjoying the company of his many friends and relatives in card playing and occasional casino gaming.
Survivors include his wife, Dena (Vessey, ) Olympia; son, Robert E. Boyle Jr. (Genevieve, ) Cosmopolis; daughter Barbara Tingwall (Brian, ) Aberdeen; daughter Melinda Watson (Scott) Montesano; as well as seven grandchildren; Lauren, Anneliese, Nolan, Sydni, Rian, Karlee and Dalton; brother Ed Boyle, (Bonnie, ) Tacoma; sisters Laura Boyle, Bothell; Patricia “Trysh” Peters, Hoquiam; and Donna Boyle Schwartz, (David, ) Newburgh, N.Y.; former wife, Della (Meadows) Neeley, Aberdeen; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene R. Boyle, 1972; his mother, Elizabeth “Betty” (Mays) Boyle, 2013; and an infant brother, Earl Joseph Boyle, 1951.
A celebration of life for Robert will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Lions Club, 601 2nd St., Cosmopolis WA, 98537. The family requests that visitors honor Robert’s memory by wearing a treasured flannel shirt, Robert’s favorite outfit, to commemorate the simple joy and pleasure he brought into everyday living.
Merle Stoney
OLYMPIA – Longtime McCleary resident Merle Stoney died Thursday, June 25, 2015 in Olympia. He was 92.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the McCleary cemetery. Lunch will follow at the McCleary VFW Hall.
Donations may be made to the McCleary Fire Department.
Arrangements are by Funeral Alternatives of Washington in Tumwater.
Andrew J. Holm
COPALIS BEACH — Andrew Jeremy Holm, 26 years of and a longtime Hoquiam area resident, died Wednesday, June 24, 2015, at Copalis Beach.
He worked for Dean Winkle Drywall, having been a drywall installer since he was 18 years old.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date in the Coleman Mortuary Chapel in Hoquiam.
Betty Ann Salsman
Betty passed away surrounded by loving family on May 30, 2015, at the Olympic Retirement Center in Tumwater after an extended illness at the age of 84. She was born Oct. 1, 1930, in Springfield, Mo. to Archie and Cleo Sloan. Betty married
J.B. Salsman in Ozark, Mo. on Sept. 3, 1947, and eventually moved to the family farm in South Elma on Aug. 27, 1957, until their movement to Tumwater on Jan. 15, 2008.
Betty and J.B. were independent business owners. They started by owning a small auto repair business, and then started the Stihl chainsaw shop in Elma. Betty also became an appointed Grange Insurance Agent during this time.
Betty was a 50-year Washington State Grange member. She enjoyed gardening, observing different types of birds and reading.
She was preceded in death by J.B. (husband of 61 years) in August 2008, and three siblings (Archie Jr., Delilah and Don). She is survived by two siblings (Marjorie and Jimmy), three sons Rick (Mary) of Goodyear, Ariz., Dexter (Carol) of Toledo, Wash., and Rod (Nancy) of Tumwater, Wash., six grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
A public graveside service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, July 10, at the Masonic cemetery across from the Elma Grade School, followed by a reception at the Elma Grange Hall, 401 W. Waldrip, Elma.
Mary Ellen Goar
Mary Ellen Goar, 78, died June 11, 2015, at Hospice Care Center, Longview, Wash. Mary Ellen was born Jan. 13, 1937, in Long Beach, Calif., to Ardys and Alta Mae (Place) Jones. She graduated from Bellflower High School, and then went on to study nursing at Good Samaritan in Portland, Ore. She married
Fred Clayton Goar in 1961 and they spent their early years living in Oregon before settling in Cosmopolis, Wash., in 1972. Following her nursing career, she opened a family child care center. During her nearly 30 years in child care, she served as a mentor, trainer and state officer for WA State Family Child Care Association. She also traveled as a delegate to an international child care conference in Sweden. She was proud to have cared for second generation children of the children who were in her care during the early years of her business. Due to health, Mary Ellen retired from child care in 2009 and moved to Longview, Wash. to be closer to her daughter. In recent years, she enjoyed making new friends and all the activities at her residence, New Westside Terrace Assisted Living. But her true joy was her grandchildren and being able to meet her first great-grandchild.
Mary Ellen is survived by her son, Kevin Goar (wife Donna Jo) of Hoquiam, Wash.; daughter Susan Goar Thomas (John Montgomery) of Salkum, Wash.; granddaughter Amanda Goar (Jeremy Larkin) and great-grandson Colton, all of Graham, Wash.; grandson Justin Goar (wife Allison) of Frankfurt, Germany; grandson Travis Goar of Lacey, Wash.; a nephew, two nieces and many others she considered family of the heart. She was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Barbara Jean Richmond.
A private family gathering was held in Longview, and a celebration of life is being planned for later this summer in Grays Harbor, Wash. Arrangements by Neptune Cremation Service.
Claude Wesley Cronk
Claude Wesley Cronk, age 91, a resident of Aberdeen, died on June 20, 2015, at his home in Aberdeen. Mr. Cronk was born on Dec. 22, 1923, in Aberdeen, Wash., to Warren Phillip and Della (Olson) Cronk. He was raised by his mother and step-father, Della and John Baucher.
After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Asiatic Pacific aboard two aircraft carriers, the USS Chandeleur and the USS Hornet. In 1946, he and Doris J. Martin were married
in Aberdeen. He worked for ITT Rayonier for over 35 years, retiring at the age of 62.
Mr. Cronk was a member of the Elks, Eagles and the VFW, all of Aberdeen. He loved spending time with his family and his animals, his dog Doggie and cat Dudley.
Family members include his wife, Doris J. Cronk of Aberdeen; three daughters, Karen Cronk-Brown Foster, who died in 1997, Teresa Jean Cronk of Hoquiam and Sandi DuPont and her husband, the late David DuPont; a son, Robert Cronk and his wife Mary of Puyallup; five grandchildren, Tracy Brown of Kent, Kyle DuPont of Hoquiam, Danielle DuPont of Tacoma, Karli Cronk of Puyallup and Camron Cronk of Puyallup and one great-grandson, Taylor Giron of Aberdeen.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to PAWS or to Children’s Hospital.
At his request, there will be no service.
Cremation arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
Maxine L. Jordan
Maxine L. Jordan, age 89, a longtime resident of Elma, died on June 20, 2015, at her home in Elma. Mrs. Jordan was born on April 10, 1926, in Blue Mound, Kan., to Alva and Bertha (Green) Berry. She graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1944.
On Aug. 2, 1944, she and Buford Jordan were married
at Fort Scott, Kan. After Buford’s discharge from the Army, the couple moved to Hoquiam. Before locating to Elma in 1975, they had also lived in Central Park and Satsop. Mr. Jordan died on Oct. 18, 1991.
Mrs. Jordan retired from Oakhurst Convalescent Center. She was a member of the Church of God in Elma, volunteered for the Elma Food Bank for over 23 years and enjoyed her flowers and family.
Surviving relatives include her children and their spouses, Rick and JoEllen Jordan of Oakdale, Calif., Carolyn and Bob Lundquist of Mount Vernon, Wash., Diane Robins of Bellingham, Wash., and Janet McCaffrey of Olympia; 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be at the Coleman Mortuary on Wednesday, June 24 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday, June 25, from 10 a.m. to noon.
A graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, at the Satsop cemetery.
Raymond Edwin Thiessen
Raymond Edwin Thiessen, age 93, a longtime resident of Hoquiam, died on June 13, 2015, at Roolan Health Care Center in Lacey, Wash. Mr. Thiessen was born on June 18, 1921, in Aumsville, Ore., to Raymond Lee and Evelyn Beryl (Potter) Thiessen. He was raised in Mount Vernon, Ore.
From 1939 to 1941, he worked for his parents at Ray’s Ice Cream Shop in Hoquiam. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Sept. 25, 1940. Upon his discharge in 1945, he returned to the Harbor where he owned and managed Ed’s Donut & Koffee Kettle until he went to work at Rayioner and Grays Harbor Paper Co., retiring on Jan. 1, 1987 after 33 years with the companies.
He and Mildred Flores were married
on April 21, 1945, in New Port, R.I. She died on April 12, 2008.
Ray was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed spending time with his family camping, hiking, fishing, boating and trailering in the family RV.
Surviving relatives include a son Lionel “Lou” Thiessen of Snohomish, Wash.; a daughter Scarlett Rose Erickson of Olympia, seven grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Ray was one of four children, his siblings being Gordon Thiessen, Ellis Thiessen and Tom Thiessen.
A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2015, at the Coleman Mortuary In Hoquiam. Interment will follow at Hoquiam’s Sunset Memorial Park.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the American Diabetes Association, 8737 Queens Court SE, Lacey, WA 98513.
Thomas P. LeCompte, Jr.
Tom passed away June 6, 2015, at Whatcom Hospice in Bellingham. He died from complications due to a heart incident suffered in Ketchikan. He was born Jan. 6, 1950, in Shelton, Wash., to Tom and Gayle LeCompte. In 1960, the family moved to Aberdeen. He graduated from Weatherwax in 1968. He attended Grays Harbor College and got his teaching degree from University of Puget Sound in 1975.
He attended St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, was active in Boy Scouts and attained Eagle rank. He grew up loving music and sports especially surfing and golf. He and his friends were among the first to surf at Westport.
He taught and coached for the Ocosta School District, before moving to Seattle to be the assistant equipment manager for the Seattle Seahawks. In 1984, he moved to Alaska, first teaching in Fairbanks, and then moving to Ketchikan where he taught and coached. He retired from teaching in 2006. During the summers and after he retired, he worked in the tourism business, known as “Tundra Tom” at the Visitor’s Bureau.
He was a member of the Lutheran church, co-hosted a weekly radio show on KRBD, was part of the First City Players Theater Group, and was a founding member of “The Monthly Grind.” He loved to play his autoharp and sing, joining in on jam sessions around the island.
He is survived by sisters Denise (Tom) Robertson and Annette (Donn) Pinckney and their families, son Tom (Rebecca) Mariano with grandchildren Kate, Lucas, Matthew, Marcus, soul mate Cathy, her daughters Allyson (Hakan) and Wendy (Chad), step-grandchildren Zeren, Ryker, Taylan.
There will be a celebration of life June 27 at 1 p.m. at Kayhi Auditorium. Friday night, June 26, there will be a Jubilee event in honor of Tom at the Great Alaska Lumberjack Show.
There will be a Surfer’s Paddle-Out Ceremony planned for July 25 at Westport.
No flowers please. Suggested memorials: the Tom LeCompte Scholarship Fund, PO Box 5374, Ketchikan, AK 99901, Whatcom Hospice, 2800 Douglas Ave. Bellingham, WA 98226 or the charity of your choice.
Ronald Morten Ostenson (Rino)
Ronald Morten Ostenson (Rino), passed away at his Elma home unexpectedly on Monday, June 15, 2015. He was with his wife Patti and daughter Angela at the time. Ron was born in Aberdeen, Wash. on April 27, 1948, and has lived in Grays Harbor all his life. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patti, his four children, Shawn Michael, Kelly Patrick, Kevin Neal and Angela Maureen.
He is also survived by nine grandchildren whom he adored, Krystal, Kyla, Hunter, Keegan, Gabrielle, Laura, Ryan, Joshua and Audrey and one great grandson, Rylan. He had an exceptional relationship with Joshua.
Ron and Patti were married
in Ocean Park, Wash. He was a graduate of Montesano High School. He was a log truck driver for all his adult life, loving every minute he was in a truck. Ron drove for Simpson Timber Company, Aubuchon Logging in Alaska, Mayer Brothers, Manke Lumber Company (where he acquired the nickname “Rino”) and various gypo companies. Where the companies needed someone to go to the high country, or on a bad road it was Rino who was called because of his skill with driving.
Ron was a life member of the VFW. He loved to hunt, fish, go rv’ing with Patti and spend time with his family. He spent many hours tinkering in his basement shop. He and his uncle, Wayne Calhoun spent many hours on the river in either his boat or Ron’s. They became exceptionally good friends and I am sure Wayne will miss his fishing buddy. This past hunting season he took his daughter Angee to Randal for a week long elk hunting trip, but neither one got their elk. It turned out to be the trip of a lifetime for Dad and his little girl.
Both his parents as well as his beloved grandmother passed away in years past.
He had a quiet but firm faith in his Lord and everyone who knew him were greeted with the special brand of quiet acceptance he gave everyone. Over the years we had many troubled children and young teens come to our home who just needed love and a special place to be. Ron was wonderful with them and our daughter and grandson are following in his footsteps. What better legacy could he leave? That and his wonderful work ethic that his children and grandchildren have followed.
There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, June 24 at 11 a.m. at the Montesano Church of God, 317 Spruce St., Montesano. A short graveside service will follow at Wynooche cemetery at approximately 1 p.m. Everyone is invited to a get together/potluck at the Ostenson home, 106 Skyline Drive, Elma, WA 98541 after the services. No flowers please. There will be a basket at both the church and the Ostenson home. All donations will be going towards local Homeless Veterans.
