Search Archived Marriage Records
Brenno, Harold Evans Friday, 28 May 2004
Harold Evans Brenno was born on May 27, 1910 in Valdez, Alaska. He passed away on Friday, May 28, 2004 at the Knipp Hopper Home, on Vashon. Harold was the youngest child of Halvor and Betty Brenno, hard working Norwegian immigrants.
Harold was eight when his parents decided to leave Valdez and move to Vashon Island, where other family and friends were already located.
He attended Vashon schools and picked berries in the summer with his brother, Mel and sister, Florence. He also worked many odd jobs around the island including, Saturdays at Hoshi’s green house and hauling wood for the school furnace.
Two-weeks into high school he quit and went to work for Zarth’s Garage at Center. Harold said, “They used to call Zarth’s the Peanut College, because they learned more there than at school.”
In 1926, he worked for Libby McNeil in Alaska. A few years later returning to Vashon and worked for Manson Construction.
In 1931, Harold returned to Alaska, this time to Juneau. His brother, Mel was working in Juneau at the time. Lawrence Scales stowed Harold away on a boat bound for Alaska. Upon reaching Juneau, he discovered jobs were difficult to find, but Mel said, “Go to the hiring man at the Juneau Mine and ask about insurance, he will give you a job in the mine.” It worked, besides hiring for the mine, the man earned extra money by selling insurance.
Arriving from Vashon was Harold’s sweetheart, Ione Bacon. They were married
on August 28, 1931. In 1934, they moved back to Vashon along with their son, Buddy (Harold Carl Brenno.)
Harold worked for the Puget Sound Depot and the WPA until he purchased Fred Stevenson’s gas station in 1937. Automobiles were always his passion, either owning or repairing, it did not matter whose he would be right there! He expanded the business to include a wrecker, auto parts and repair. From 1946 to 1948, he ran an ambulance service along with Brenno’s Service, offering around the clock emergency assistance.
In 1958, Harold was a charter member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He and the other members put in many hours helping to establish the Eagles on Vashon.
In 1976, Harold decided it was time to retire and explore other interest: family, traveling, and woodworking. Harold and Ione loved to spend time traveling and eventually bought a little one-bedroom hideaway in Index, WA.
By the time they sold it, it had three-bedrooms and a shop! He was always busy puttering around building something, an addition, a cabinet, or a child’s picnic table.
Ione was diagnosed with Alzheimer and he became her caregiver, until an operation forced him to relinquish the job. Ione was admitted into the Vashon Nursing Home. He visited her daily until she passed away in 1985.
Harold then became active in the Vashon Vagabonds and traveled on many RV trips with family and friends. During this time, he became acquainted with Adele Peck and they were married
while on a trip to Alaska in 1987.
Harold was predeceased by his wife Ione Brenno, a son Harold Carl “Buddy” Brenno, and on May 5, 2004 his brother, Melvin Brenno.
Survivors include his second wife, Adele Brenno; Children Bob and Diane Brenno; Betty (Brenno) and Bobby Lewis; George and Barbara Brenno, and Barbara (Brenno) and Kenneth Cooper all of Vashon; Thirteen grandchildren and Seventeen great grandchildren.
Memorials or remembrances may be made in his name to The Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Society, P.O. Box 723, Vashon, WA 98070. At his request, there will not be a memorial service.
Coulter, Bernita Falk Bacchus Tuesday, 25 May 2004
Bernita Falk Bacchus Coulter
1927-2004
Bernita Marie was the first-born child to Henry and Ersyle (Anderson) Falk of Thief River Falls, Minnesota. The family moved to Tacoma, Washington where Bernita graduated from Stadium High School, and later attended the College of Puget Sound.
Bernita met Sidney James Bacchus, whom she married
on August 16, 1950, in Sun Valley, Idaho. After their wedding, Bernita moved to Vashon Island, where Sid had grown up, and was co-owner of the Bacchus Lumber Co. Together, Sid and Bernita raised three sons and were active members of the Vashon community. They attended the Church of the Holy Spirit, and were founding members of the Vashon Island Country Club.
A dedicated mother and grandmother, Bernita also participated in many activities. She worked for the Vashon school district, enjoyed playing bridge with her girlfriends, and tending to her beautiful flower gardens.
She was classy, fun loving, loved to travel and was an avid Mariners baseball fan. Bernita, a breast cancer survivor, was awarded “Woman of the Year” by Swedish Hospital, for her tireless work for cancer research.
After Sid’s death, Bernita was successful in managing and operating the Bacchus Lumber Co., an established family business.
Bernita later married
Lee Coulter, a longtime friend, and they continued to live on Vashon.
After retiring from the lumber business, Bernita moved to Gig Harbor. She purchased an older house she immediately fell in love with. This house was on a hill overlooking the harbor, and after some of Bernita’s tender loving care, was transformed into a wonderful, country cottage.
Bernita died on May 25, surrounded by family, at her home that she loved so much.
Bernita’s friends would say that she was a very friendly person, easy to know and love, with a gift for great compassion. She will be remembered by friends and family alike for these great qualities. She was loved and will be greatly missed by her children and grandchildren: son Ladd, his wife, Sun, and daughters Kim and Stephanie, of Gig Harbor; son Randy, his wife, Suzie, and son Jesse, of Bend Oregon; son Brett, his wife, Stacy, and children Josh and Ellie, of Vashon; two brothers, Rolf H. Falk of Mill Creek, and Thomas P. Falk of Sandy, Oregon; and many dear and wonderful lifelong friends including sisters-in-law Darlene and Carol.
Family welcomes friends to attend a memorial service at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 4 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, located at 7701 Skansie Ave., Gig Harbor, 253-858-3777. Reception follows.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the Franciscan Foundation, Hospice Care, P.O. Box 1502, Tacoma, WA 98401, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, or to a charity of donor’s choice.
Swanson, Florence H. Sunday, 16 May 2004
Florence Hammerstrand Swanson died Sunday, May 16, 2004, in her own home on Vashon Island. She was 95 years old.
She moved to Vashon from Milwaukee, Wis., in November of 1996 to live near her daughters.
Her late husband, Vernon A. Swanson, an attorney with the law firm Foley and Lardner, described her as “a gentle woman with a great sense of humor.”
Survivors include her two daughters, who were with her when she died, Mary Swanson of Vashon Island and Ann Swanson Vanderbilt of Ketchum, Idaho.
Remembrances can be made to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin at the following address: Children’s Hospital and Health System Foundation, Bin 825, Milwaukee, Wis. 53288-0825.
Lane, Roger Wetherbee Friday, 07 May 2004
Roger Wetherbee Lane, 74, died at home on Vashon Island on Friday, May 7, 2004, of prostate cancer, which he fought for over 18 years. Roger was born Nov. 8, 1929, in Bridgeton, NJ, the third son of John A Lane and Gladys M. Cumming.
After earning his degree in mechanical engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts, Roger worked for Piasecki Helicopter Corporation in Pennsylvania and Ohio, where he met his bride, Sara Gay Sprinkle. In the late 1950s, the Lanes moved to Seattle with Boeing, for whom Roger worked for 38 years.
Roger enjoyed camping, being a Boy Scout leader, making stained glass art, playing cards and owning his own campground in Kentucky.
He was a member of Normandy Park Congregational Church.
Roger was pre-deceased by his parents, brother John, and wife Gay. Roger is survived by sons Bryan (Elizabeth Barry) of Federal Way and Steven (Annette) of Morgan Hill, CA; daughter Laura Casper (Frank Dean) of Vashon Island;brother Russell (Agnes) of Northlake, IL; seven grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and in-laws.
A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on Saturday, May 15, at Normandy Park
Congregational Church, 19249 First Avenue South. Donations may be made to
the American Cancer Society, Salvation Army, Red Cross, Normandy Park
Congregational Church, and Calvary Full Gospel Church.
Brenno, Melvin G. Wednesday, 05 May 2004
Melvin G. Brenno passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 5 at 5:30 p.m. at Knipp Hopper Home where he’d been staying since January. He was 95.
Melvin was born June 11, 1908 to Halvor and Betty (Birgit Mortensen) Brenno in Valdez, Alaska. Halvor and Betty left their home in Kensett, Iowa and settled in Valdez during the Alaska gold rush in the early 1900s.
The Brenno family came to Vashon Island in 1918 and were self employed in farming. Melvin graduated from Vashon High School in 1928. After graduating he worked building smoke stacks.
In the 1930s, Mel returned to Alaska, this time to Juneau. He worked as an electrician in a gold mine. He took a vacation to visit his Aunt Mary in Kensett and while there, he met Hanna Bray (Bratrud). After corresponding for several years, they were married
Aug. 8, 1937, in Juneau.
Hannah and Melvin returned to Vashon in 1942. Mel worked for Todd Shipyard during the war and then went to work for the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1950. He retired from Burlington Northern Railroad in 1973. He was a member of the International Brother-hood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) for 67 years.
Hannah passed away in 1988. She and Melvin had been married
over 50 years.
After a year of bachelor life, Mel began to visit his very dear friend of over 60 years, Clara Grambo, of Kelso, WA. The two were married
May 20, 1989 in Kelso. Clara passed away Nov. 21 of that same year.
Mel (or “Rosie” as he was known by some) is best remembered for his wonderful disposition, fun-loving antics and practical jokes. He always had a smile on his face and twinkle in his blue eyes. He was well loved by his family, neighbors and many friends.
Melvin was a member of the Mark P. Wasterman (Burton) Masonic Lodge.
Survivors include his brother Harold of Vashon, nieces and nephews, Dick and
Valerie Marsh of Camano Island, Robert and Diane Brenno, Bobby and Betty Lewis, George and Barbara Brenno, Ken and Barbara Cooper of Vashon, Martin and Shirley Bratrud of Kensett, numerous grand nieces and nephews, and his dear friend Thelma Knutson of Everett.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 13, 11 a.m. at Vashon Lutheran Church, internment at Vashon cemetery.
There will be a reception following at the church. Visitation at Island Funeral service, Wednesday from 1 to 7 p.m.
Memorials or remembrances are suggested to Vashon Lutheran Church.
MacKinnon, Donald Tuesday, 06 Apr 2004
Donald A. MacKinnon died April 6, 2004, in Port Angeles Hospital with his wife and daughter by his side. He was 80 years old.
Mr. MacKinnon lived on Vashon Island for 40 years and then retired with his wife, Duwaina, in Sequim, Wash.
Survivors include his wife, Duwaina, daughters and son-in-laws, Mary and Mike Reuter, Laurie and Mike Hildebrand, Jean Nelson, Sarah and Dan Wilkerson, and grandchildren Shannon and Michael (Keith) Reuter, Brian Hildebrand, Nicky, Roxanne and Katie Nelson, and Randi and DJ Wilkerson, and a great many friends and family.
There will be no memorial service at his request.
DuFresne, Susan Lynn Monday, 15 Mar 2004
Susan Lynn (McGuirk) DuFresne died March 15, 2004, in Seattle with family members by her side. She was 44 years old. She battled breast cancer for nine years.
She was born July 10, 1959, in Braddock, Penn. At three months, she moved to Seattle. In 1973 her family moved to Vashon Island. She attended Vashon Schools and graduated in 1977 from NOVA alternative school in Seattle.
Sue and Renard DuFresne were married
June 30, 1979.
She enjoyed raising her family and tending to her pets. Susan was an avid gardener and enjoyed crocheting afghans for family members. She was a great crossword puzzler; she had a knack of knowing a little about everything. She enjoyed volunteering at Burton and Vashon elementary school.
The most important part of her life was raising her two daughters Heather and Katie and getting them through school.
Survivors include her husband of 25 years, Renard; their daughters Heather and Katie, both of Vashon; and parents Mac and Jessie McGuirk of Vashon. Additional survivors include brothers Mike and wife Jill McGuirk of Vashon and Glen McGuirk of Port Orchard and sister Kathy and her husband Bob Gibbons of Vashon, mother-in-law Connie DuFresne and numerous nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles and cousins.
The family extends a thank-you to Pastor Steve Sears and the members of the Calvary Full Gospel Church for lovely services on March 20.
Remembrances can be made to The Tumor Institute at Swedish Hospital.
Walton, Ella May Monday, 26 Jul 2004
Ella May Walton, 81
Ella May Walton died on July 26, 2004, at the Columbia Lutheran Home in Seattle. She was 81 years old.
She was born Feb. 11, 1923, in Seattle.
Ms. Walton was a cook at the Vashon Nursing Home for 10 years until her retirement in 1988. Previously she was a teacher at Adams Grade School in Seattle.
Survivors include son Calvin Rooks, Jr. and his wife Lena of Seattle, son David Walton, formerly of Vashon, daughter Linda Walton Laur of Vashon and sister Rosalie Ostendorf of Ismay, Montana.
Her parents George and Edith Stoerchli and brother George Stoerchli Jr. died previously.
Services are 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 7400 Woodlawn Ave. N.E., Seattle.
Keil, MacDonald, Joan Wednesday, 28 Jul 2004
JOAN MACDONALD KEIL
July 14, 1929 - July 18, 2004
Joan Macdonald Keil was born on July 14, 1929 in Port Townsend, Washington and passed away July 18, 2004 at the age of 75, in Bellevue, WA at the Gardens at Town Square.
Joan graduated from Garfield High School and worked at Littlers in Seattle.
Joan married
Girard (Jerry) Keil on Jan. 21, 1949 in Seattle. Joan was the daughter of Betty MacDonald, who wrote The Egg and I, Onions in the Stew and the Miss Piggle Wiggle stories.
Joan and Jerry lived in Enatai and Medina with their four children, Heidi, Rebecca, Timothy, and Toby. Joan sang in variety shows to help raise money for Overlake Hospital.
Joan was very creative; she loved to paint, garden, cook and create drive flower arrangements. Joan’s sense of humor always made people laugh.
Joan is survived by her daughter, Heidi Keil Richards and husband Kim Richards, and their daughters, Heather and Devin; son, Tim Keil and his wife Mary Jo, and their daughters Kallyn, Jerrica, Angie, and son Michael; and her son, Toby Keil and his wife Sally, and children Rachel and Griffin.
Memorial services will be Saturday, July 31 at 11 a.m. at First Congregational Church in Bellevue.
