Search Archived Marriage Records
Vokolek, Evelyn Sonmor Monday, 13 Jan 2003
Evelyn Sonmor Vokolek, age 98, died Jan. 13 at Messenger House Care Center.
She was born Aug. 22, 1904 in Spring Valley, Wis., to Jacob and Marit (Oren) Sonmor. The youngest of 11 children, she grew up on the family dairy farm.
After earning her teaching credentials at River Falls Normal School, she taught for two years in a one-room school in Wisconsin. She moved to Chicago Heights, Ill., where she taught for eight years.
She married
William Vokolek in 1935. They lived in Chicago Heights until 1947. The family moved to Franklin, Pa., in 1947 when her husband became the vice-president of Franklin Steel. In addition to being a homemaker, she enjoyed gardening, golf, bridge and active involvement in her church. She was widowed in 1966.
She moved to Bainbridge Island in 1971, where she enjoyed an independent, active lifestyle centered on traveling, volunteering for the Orthopedic Guild and gardening.
Decades of travel began in 1968 when she traveled to Tynset, Norway to visit her relatives. She made four additional trips to Norway in subsequent years. She also joined tours to Europe, the Soviet Union and Asia.
She is survived by two sons, Alan Sonmor Vokolek, of Ridgecrest, Calif., and William Robert Vokolek, of Bainbridge Island; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
A family gathering was held to celebrate her life. Inurnment will be in Franklin, Pa. Arrangements were under the direction of Kass Funeral Home, Bainbridge Island.
Eberhard, Ottilia Friday, 10 Jan 2003
Ottilia Eberhard, age 99, died Jan. 10 at Island Health and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born Sept. 21, 1903 in Merricourt, N.D. to Christopher Biederstedt and Regina Steinwand.
She retired in 1974, having worked as a baker in her sister’s restaurant, the Martinique in Winslow.
She was devoted to family and friends, and enjoyed all areas of sewing and gardening.
She was a member of the Homemakers Club and was a 4H leader for 10 years in Kulm, N.D.
She was preceded in death by her husband Peter and her son Kenneth.
She is survived by her sister Elizabeth Doland and daughter Della Lundgren, both of Bainbridge Island; four granddaughters – Diane Bringloe of Bainbridge, Janice Zdzeblowski, Sharon Eberhard and Nancy Tillman; three grandsons – Kent, Keith and James, all of Stevens Point, Wis.; six great-grandchildren, and daughter-in-law Laverne Eberhard of Stevens Point, Wis.
Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at Evergreen-Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave. N. in Seattle.
Green, Lavon “Bonnie” Wednesday, 08 Jan 2003
Lavon “Bonnie” Green, 78, died Jan. 8 at Messenger House Care Center on Bainbridge Island.
The daughter of Irene and Earling Ericksen, she was born Oct. 17, 1924 at the home of grandparents Walter and Sarah “Mokie” Oakland on Grow Avenue in Winslow.
Growing up on the island, she graduated in 1942 from the “new” Bainbridge High School, where she was a cheerleader and champion tennis player.
She attended the University of Washington and worked at Hall Brothers’ Shipyard in Winslow.
She married
Robert H. Green on Aug. 3, 1945 at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church. The couple made their home in several Bainbridge Island neighborhoods while remodeling and building custom houses.
An early member of Wing Point Golf and Country Club, she was the Women’s Golf Champion for 10 consecutive years from 1966 to 1975.
She was also a member of the Lenore Ostrander Orthopedic Guild, a Girl Scout leader, and a league bowler on a team with her mother and grandmother.
After divorcing in 1969, she worked as a clerk at Island Lumber, The Bazaar and American Marine Bank.
She is survived by her daughter Robbin (Michael) Anderson of Shelton; son Robert H. (Ellen) Green of Bainbridge Island; granddaughter Shannon (Wilfredo) Castillo and great-grandchildren August, Cera, Christian and Edwin of Suquamish; grandsons Michael and Douglas of Bainbridge; step-grandsons Jeff and Kelly and four step-great-grandchildren; sister Betty (Clayton) Poole of Bainbridge Island; and numerous cousins and friends.
Remembrances can be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 158 West 29th Street, 7th Floor, NY, NY 10001-5300 or to a charity of the donors choice.
A memorial golf tournament and picnic are planned for later in the year.
Hertrich, Philip Joseph Saturday, 04 Jan 2003
Bainbridge resident Philip Joseph Hertrich, age 84, died Jan. 4 after a long battle with cancer.
He was born in 1918 to Victor and Katherine Hertrich in Sprague, Wash., where he grew up.
He moved to Seattle and attended the University of Washington. He later made his career working for Pacific Northwest Bell.
He led a long retirement enjoying gardening, especially raising his favorite fuschias, and traveling with his wife.
He is survived by his wife Patricia of Bainbridge Island; three children: Peter of Bremerton, Katherine (Steven) Ketchum of Goldendale and Paul of Honolulu, Hawaii; and a large extended family.
A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Jan. 18 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. Remembrances may be made to Hospice of Kitsap County.
Ankers, Luise Waldie Friday, 03 Jan 2003
Suquamish resident Luise Waldie Ankers, age 89, died Jan. 3.
She was born on Easter Sunday, Mar. 23, 1913 in Washougal, Wash.
She received degrees from Eastern Washington and Western Washington universities and later did laboratory work with autistic children under the auspices of the New York City schools. She was a teacher her entire life.
She married
Lt. George Ankers in 1938. When he was sent to Pearl Harbor at the beginning of World War II, she returned to Poulsbo, where she spent the war years with her grandparents in Suquamish.
After the war, the couple and daughter Jennifer were stationed in New York, Virginia and California. Capt. Ankers retired in 1963 and the family returned to Suquamish.
She was a member of the Episcopal Church and directed the church choirs in Virginia, California, Bainbridge Island and Port Gamble. She was also a volunteer office worker at St. Barnabas Church for many years.
She was the coordinator for the North Kitsap-Bainbridge Island blood drives for over 13 years. Interested in community affairs, she served as president of the Suquamish Community Club and PTA. She was also past president of the North Kitsap Eagles Auxiliary and a member of the Pioneer Association of Washington.
She was a well-known dog trainer, having conducted obedience classes for many years in Kitsap County. She also performed in many musical shows as a member of the Windjammers.
She received awards from the Aircraft Warning Service; the Navy Relief Society; the PTA, who honored her with two Golden Acorn awards; and the Suquamish School and the Literacy Council of Kitsap County, who recognized her for her volunteer work.
She is survived by daughter Jennifer, sister Jean Robinson and many nieces and nephews, including caregivers George and Virginia Robinson.
Interment will be at a later date at St. Barnabas Church. Remembrances may be made to the Kitsap Humane Society.
Britt, Martha Viola Thursday, 02 Jan 2003
Martha Viola Britt, age 93, died Jan. 2 at her Hidden Cove home on Bainbridge.
She was born Oct. 13, 1909 in Gothenburg, Sweden to Bertha (Abrahamson) Walberg and Karl Victor Walberg. The family emigrated to the United States July 29, 1912.
She married
Jack Britt on Oct. 16, 1937 in Mason County.
An avid bowler and gardener, she was a 50-year member of Eastern Star.
She was preceded in death by her husband Jack in 1970, and four brothers: John, Ben, George and Elmer.
She is survived by her brother Bert Walberg of Bainbridge Island.
She was buried in Port Blakely cemetery. At her request, there will be no services.
Remembrances may be made to Bainbridge Island Ambulance, 8895 Madison Avenue, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110.
Arrangements are under the direction of Miller Woodlawn Funeral Home.
Aue, Roger William Sunday, 29 Dec 2002
Longtime islander Roger William Aue, age 64, died Dec. 29 at Virginia Mason Hospital.
He was born Oct. 18, 1939 in Dayton, Ohio.
He practiced dentistryfrom 1972 until his retirement from his island practice in the late 1990s.
He was a schoonerman, and enjoyed writing and woodworking. An accomplished musician and singer, he was involved with the Bainbridge Chorale and the Wild Rose Chorale, as well as the University of Washington and Antioch University.
He is survived by his partner, Brook Delagarza (of Bainbridge); daughters Kristine of Bremerton, Melinda of Lyon, Kan., Laura of Molalla, Ore., and Diana of Yuba City, Calif; son Bruce of Hope Mills, N.C.; and 10 grandchildren.
He is also survived by his half-sister Marianna, a resident of Florida.
A celebration of his life will be held 2-5 p.m. Jan. 11 at Eagle Harbor Congregational Church.
Remembrances may be made to Bloedel Reserve, 7571 NE Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island.
Willis, Elizabeth Bayley Monday, 30 Jun 2003
Elizabeth Bayley Willis, 101, noted champion of the Northwest School of art, died June 30 at Island Health and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born May 9, 1902 in Somerville, Mass., the first child of Frank Sawyer Bayley and Mary Eulalia (Bass) Bayley. The family moved to Seattle in 1907, and later included brothers Emery Perham Bayley, Julia (who died at age 5), and Frank Sawyer Bayley, Jr.
After graduating from Queen Anne High School in Seattle, she attended a private boarding school for girls in Boston, where she often visited the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, learning about and enjoying the arts of Asia, particularly India.
She attended Mt. Holyoke College for one year, returning to Seattle to complete her B.A. at the University of Washington.
She married
Cecil Durand Willis in 1923, and was divorced in 1938. She visited England that year on an English Speaking Union scholarship. Upon her return, she studied with artist Lyonel Feininger at Mills College, then in Seattle with Mark Tobey and Morris Graves.
From 1938-1943, she taught at Garfield High School in Seattle, and at Bainbridge High School.
She was an associate at the Willard Gallery in New York, 1943-1946, where she promoted the work of Tobey and Graves.
From 1946-1948, she served as the second curator of the University of Washington’s Henry Art Gallery in Seattle, where she brought to the job a sense of the gallery’s importance as the only museum in town.
She served as the curator of the San Francisco Museum of Art from 1948-1950 before becoming the Acting Assistant Director of the California Palace of the Legion of Honor. There, she continued her efforts to export the Northwest School, organizing the Legion’s retrospectives of Graves (1948) and Tobey (1951).
In 1951, she embarked on a new career: helping preserve the folk arts of Japan, India, Taiwan, Vietnam and Morocco.
The core of the Henry Art Gallery’s collections of Japanese pottery and Indian textiles was collected by her. After befriending Dr. Soetsu Yanagi of the Tokyo museum, author of “Folk-Crafts of Japan, ” Willis asked Dr. Yanagi whether he could lend anything from the museum’s collection for an exhibit at the Henry. Museum items could not be lent, so she borrowed a sum which Dr. Yanagi used to purchase a collection; it showed first at Mills College in 1951, where she was studying art history. The show was circulated for seven years by the Western Association of Art Museum Directors before coming to the Henry at the tour’s end, where most of it was placed on loan.
Her accomplishments from this period include: consultant in decorative arts, products and marketing in Mingei Kan, Tokyo, 1951-1952; Expert Member of the United Nations Technical Assistance Board for Taiwan, Vietnam, India and Morocco, 1952-1959; textile exports consultant, India, 1955-1957; researcher on the tribes of India’s northeast frontier, especially arts and textiles, 1959-1964, textile arts of India, and folk arts of Mingei, Japan.
She was the author of “Travel with Dr. Soetsu Yanagi in his Kingdom of Beauty, ” “India! In the Footprints of the Raj, ” “A Hard Act To Follow, ” as well as unpublished journals on Japan and India.
Her collections of artifacts, pottery and textiles from Tibet, Bhutan, India, Burma, Japan and Morocco are now in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institution; costumes, pottery and textiles from the same countries are in the permanent collections of the Henry Art Gallery and the Washington State Museum. Her library of books pertaining to her work are at the Henry Art Gallery; her journals and memorabilia are in the archives of the Suzzallo Library, University of Washington.
Her connection to Bainbridge Island began in 1907 when her family purchased a waterfront parcel north of the Agate Point “Mosquito Fleet” boat dock and built a summer cabin. She and her brothers acquired an appreciation of nature while playing in the woods and on the beach, an appreciation passed on to her own daughters as they grew up during the late 20s and 30s.
She wrote a children’s book about the beach creatures found at Agate Point, incorporating scientifically accurate information in her story at a time when such simplified information was not available in children’s books. The book, “Little Bay Creatures, ” published by Binfords & Mort in 1938, included detailed drawings by her friend, Mary Erckenbrack Hennessy.
In 1941, she built her home on the family’s property at Agate Point, where she and her family enjoyed and protected its natural wooded setting during her many years living there.
She is survived by her daughters Mary Randlett of Olympia, Betsy (William C.) Lawrence of Bainbridge, and Pamela Price of Otis, Ore.; 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and six nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Priscilla “Petrie” Willis Baldwin Coleman of Whidbey Island, and by her two brothers, Emery and Frank.
At her request, no services will be held. Memorial donations may be made to the Henry Art Gallery, University of Washington, P.O. Box 351410, Seattle, WA 98195-1410, or to the Bainbridge Public Library, 1270 Madison Ave. N.
Peterson, Arnold Per Gustaf Sunday, 29 Jun 2003
Arnold Per Gustaf Peterson of Bainbridge Island died June 29.
He was born Aug. 7, 1914, in DeKalb, Ill., to Swedish immigrants Peter and Martha Londel Peterson.
He graduated from the University of Toledo in 1934 and graduated magna cum laude from M.I.T. in 1941 with a ScD.
During his years as a graduate student at M.I.T. and then until his retirement in 1979, he worked for General Radio Company of Cambridge, Mass.
During World War II, he worked on radar. However, most of his work at General Radio involved electrical research and instrumentation design on everything from vacuum tubes to integrated circuits. He held several patents on electrical devices.
He was a member of the Acoustical Society of America for 57 years, and a life member of IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).
He participated in establishing standards in acoustics. He held a Ham radio operators license, KC7GQ.
He wrote and edited nine editions of the Handbook of Noise Measurement, still a landmark reference in acoustic measurements.
During his retirement, he enjoyed genealogical research. He and his wife, Carolyn Bryant Peterson, contributed to the New England Historical and Genealogical Register, and wrote and published several family history books.
He especially enjoyed his time as a volunteer for the Bainbridge Island Library. His main task at the library involved using the computer to check the status of books donated to the Kitsap County Library system.
He is survived by his wife Carolyn; children Duncan, Alan and Janet; and seven grandchildren.
There will be no public memorial service. Donations can be made to the Bainbridge Island Public Library, 1270 Madison North Bainbridge Island, WA 98110 .
