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Edwin Irving Lavender
A memorial service will be held at Orcas Island Community Church on Saturday, July 14, at 1:30 p.m. for Orcas resident Edwin Irving Lavender. Mr. Lavender, age 92, died June 8, 2007 at Changing Seasons Adult Family Home in Kirkland, Washington.
Born June 27, 1914 in Deer Harbor to James T. and Louise Loos Lavender, he was the second of seven children to grow up on Orcas during the teens and 20s.
Mr. Lavender graduated from high school on Orcas and lived there until the start of World War II, when he enlisted in the Army. His first assignment was with a cavalry unit, however later he joined the paratroopers and was part of the Allied Forces invasion in France. His time in the military gave him a lifelong love of aircraft and flying, and he later obtained a pilot’s license and flew small aircraft for pleasure.
After returning from military service he married
the former Elizabeth (Betty) Jean Cucksey in November of 1949 and settled on Orcas working as a truck driver, a boat yard worker, and a carpenter. He loved gardening and spent time in his later years tending the gardens at the old Senior Center. He also loved the water and enjoyed taking many off-island friends and family on boat outings to neighboring islands.
Mr. Lavender is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Louise and Richard Boone, and granddaughter Katherine Boone of Kirkland, a sister, Mary Sanders, of San Leandro, Calif., a brother, Tom Lavender, of Pt. Orchard, and seven nephews and nieces.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts may be made to Orcas Island Community Church or the Orcas Island Historical Museum.
FOWLER, PH. D., CIH, DOUGLAS PANGBORN
Doug entered into peace at his home on Orcas Island, Washington, on Sept. 22, 2007 after succumbing to melanoma. His fiancée, Susan Ishida, was by his side.
Doug was born in Walla Walla, Wash., on Aug. 21, 1937. He graduated from Whitefish High School, Montana in 1955. Doug served in the Air Force. He married
Arlene Rankin in 1964. They had two children, Mark and Eric. Eric was laid to rest in 1995. Doug and Arlene divorced in 2000. Doug lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 33 years and semi-retired to Orcas Island in 2002.
Doug graduated with a BS in Preventive Medicine from the University of Washington in 1967. He received an M.S. in Public Health from UCLA in 1970. He earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Health Sciences from UC Berkeley in 1981 with minors in Biostatistics and Mechanical Engineering.
Doug operated Fowler Associates, an occupational and environmental health services consulting firm in the SF Bay Area since 1982. He was a Certified Industrial Hygienist. Doug held academic appointments at San Jose State University, UC Berkeley and at UCSF, where he was a member of the clinical faculty in the Department of Medicine. Doug was a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the Iuliu Hateiganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy and a Visiting Professor at Babes-Bolyai University in Romania. His many publications included peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapters, contributions to conference proceedings and major project reports.
Doug was the Scoutmaster for his sons’ Boy Scout Troop. He served on the Board for Mateo Lodge, a non-profit support organization for the mentally ill. Doug’s hobbies included photography, woodworking, boating, reading, travel, horseback riding and performing arts. Doug had a black belt in Judo and played tuba in the Orcas Island Community Band.
He is survived by his fiancée, Sue of Belmont, Calif., his former wife Arlene of Seattle Wash., their son, Mark of Summit N.J., daughter-in-law Maureen, and grandchildren, Kayleigh, Christopher and Jeffrey. Doug’s fourth grandchild is due in December.
Friends are invited to attend a memorial and reception service at the Orcas Center Madrona Room, 917 Mt. Baker Road, Eastsound, on Oct. 5, at 7:30 p.m.
Donations can be made in Doug’s memory to the non-profit Orcas Island hospice: Lahari House, PO Box 50, Deer Harbor, WA 98243.
Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and San Juan Islands. To share memories of Doug, please sign the online guest register at www.evans chapel.com.
TUTHILL, WILLIAM HYLAND
William Hyland Tuthill 65, longtime island resident, died at his home in East Wenatchee Wash. on Thursday Sept. 20, after a long struggle with cancer. William was born in Hackensack, New Jersey on May 19, 1942. He was the only son of Kathleen Hyland and Erwin Harriman Tuthill. Bill served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.
He later graduated from Atlantic Christian College and later became an accountant. He met his lovely wife Terry and her son Michael in Denver, Colorado. He adopted Michael and then procceeded to have two more sons Billy and Christofer, finally giving him his own precious family. His two sisters, Kathleen and her husband Larry Finneran, along with sister Kerry, her husband Frank Przybysz, as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews also survive him. He will be dearly missed.
RESCH, RICHARD ARTHUR
Richard Arthur Resch, 69, of Wasilla, Alaska, died Sept. 15, 2007, at Alaska Regional Hospital in Anchorage.
A service will be at 1 p.m. Sept. 29 at Woodlawn cemetery in Eastsound, Wash. A celebration of life will be afterward at the American Legion in Eastsound.
Mr. Resch was born July 12, 1938, in Park Rapids, Minn. He served in the U.S. Navy as an IC man and an electrician.
Mr. Resch moved to Alaska in 1981 and was a resident of Wasilla at the time of his death. He had also lived in Anchorage and Delta Junction. ?He worked for Inter Island Telephone Co. for 19 years as a foreman, installer, lineman and repairman and for Alascom for 13 years as a lineman and splicer tech. He retired from Alascom in January 1994.
Special hobbies included fishing, hunting, gardening, golfing, woodworking and traveling.?His family wrote: "Dick loved celebrating life as a party! He brought smiles and laughs to his family and friends from his jokes and wit. He loved to see and visit with his kids and grandkids, as well as staying home and relaxing in his easy chair. He had a kind heart and was loved and will be missed by many."
Mr. Resch is survived by his daughter, Kathy Anderson and her husband, Brian Anderson, of Lynden, Wash.; daughter, Mary VanderYacht and her husband, Bryan VanderYacht, of Lynden, Wash.; stepdaughter, Shannon Schmelzer and her husband, Rick Schmelzer, of Wasilla; stepson, Randy Souhrada and his wife, Ellen Souhrada, of Anchorage; stepson, Travis Souhrada and his wife, Angela Souhrada, of Anchorage; grandchildren, Brock, Bryce, Braxton, Denver, Drake, Karly, Heather and Carrie; great-grandchild, Reilly Heather Mullenix of Anchorage; sisters, Mary Morrell of Seattle, and Linda Madden and husband, Mike, of Eastsound; brothers, Dave Resch and wife, Patty, Bobby Kimple and wife, Sue, and Danny Kimple, all of Eastsound; and many other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Robert Kimple; father, John Resch; mother, Dorothy Wynne; stepmother, Ruth Resch; and brother, John Resch.
Arrangements are with Anchorage Funeral Home and Crematory.?
Eugene “Gene” Bender
Gene Bender passed away peacefully on August 26, 2007 in Atascadero, California at age 79.
He was the husband of Elaine Bender of Atascadero; father of Debra Freltas of Wheatland, Wyoming and David (Sandi) Bender of Bellevue, Washington. He is survived by his grandchildren: Nicolette, Darren and Rhys Freltas of Mariposa, California and Elizabeth and Erik Bender of Bellevue, Washington; and brother Bill Bender of Australia. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Bender.
Gene graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder with a BSME in 1950. His professional career spanned 30+ years as a Registered Professional Engineer with TRW/Redondo Beach, California and as a project engineer, project manager and operations manger.
He was a former resident of Huntington Harbor, California and Lopez Island Washington. He was avid yachtsman and powerboat enthusiast and cruised the entire Pacific coast from Baja to Canada. He was a 28-year member of the American Power Boat Association and the Unlimited Lights Racing Association. Along with son, David, Gene owned and raced high performance hydroplanes of several different classes.
Gene and his fellow members of the Wines and Steins of Atascadero never passed up an opportunity to enjoy fun times together. He was also a member of the Atascadero Elks Lodge and a member of the Lutheran Church of the San Juan Islands.
At Gene’s request, his cremated remains will be scattered off the coast of Lopez Island, Washington in a private family ceremony. Donations in Gene’s remembrance may be directed to: The University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0422, with the designation Mechanical Engineering Department (0121123) in memory of Eugene C. Bender.
GOODRICH, GUDRUN ALICE "GOODY"
Gudrun Alice Goodrich -- "Goody" died Saturday, Aug. 25, just two months shy of her 90th birthday.
She was born in 1917 in Glendive, Mont., the only daughter of Norwegian immigrants.
Growing up on a sheep ranch in eastern Montana gave her the strength and determination that would serve her well throughout her long life.
She graduated from the U of W in 1941 and was married
shortly thereafter to John. H. Goodrich.
They lived in Seattle during the war years where John worked as an engineer for Boeing. In 1948, they loaded all their belongings, including a a grand piano, into a 30 foot life boat and set out for Waldron Island where they had purchased a 135 acre farm/fishing resort.
The years on Waldron were full of adventure. Farm life was demanding. They raised pigs, sheep, goats, chickens and two boys. They picked apples from their large orchard and tended a large garden. They cut hay with a team of Clydesdales, kept the airfield mowed, milked the cows and cooked for the fishermen. When the mail boat would arrive form Friday Harbor, Goody would drive an old WWII Army Command Truck to the post office to pick up supplies for the farm.
In 1956, they left island life to return to Seattle where Goody taught third grade in the Central District for 17 years.
In 1968, they returned to the islands and built a home on Orcas. Goody was active in the Madrona Club, League of Women Voters, Theosophical Society, Orcas Center and the Library. She was passionate about learning and loved to dance.
Goody embraced the unity of all life without pride or prejudice. We will miss her dearly. She passed in her own home, surrounded by family, friends and flowers.
She is survived by her son Joe and his wife, Elaine, her son, Reed, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
MAREAN, ELLEN M.
Ellen M. Marean of Bellingham, Wash., passed away on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007. She was 70 years old, born in Everett on Aug, 9, 1937, to Dagney (Holland) and Wilmer Svensson.
Before moving to Whatcom County in 2004, Ellen resided on Lopez Island for 31 years, where she co-owned and operated Blue Fjord Cabins. She was also a social worker in her earlier years.
She is survived by her husband Stan, of 42 years, whom she married
on Aug. 14, 1965. She is also survived by daughters Kris and husband Saul Kahihikolo, Lisa and husband Kimball Crockett; grandchildren: Anela, Niki and Seth; brother Gordon Peterson; sisters: Arlene MacIsaac, Martha McAllister, and Pauline Pace; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to the ALS Association.
At Ellen’s request, a private memorial service will be held.
A guest book where visitors may share their thoughts and memories of Ellen is at www.molesfuneralhomes.com
SYRSTAD, HAL
Hal Syrstad, formerly of Orcas Island, died peacefully on Aug. 10, 2007.
Hal was born in Spokane, Wash. on Sept. 1, 1915, to Leah and Sievert Syrstad. He grew up in Spokane, moved to Seattle as a young man, where he married
his wife, Irene Gronvold, on Nov. 27, 1937.
They moved to Renton Washington, there they lived for 40 years. Hal worked in the CCCV camps, the Seattle shipyard, raised poultry in Renton, and was a radio-television technician at the University of Washington from 1956 to 1976. When Hal retired, he and his wife Irene moved to Orcas Island where they built their retirement home, and lived for 26 years. They moved to Longview, Wash. in 2006.
Hal enjoyed fishing, gardening, square dancing, biking and traveling. He and Irene enjoyed going to their winter home in Oatman, Ariz. for several years.
Hal is survived by his wife Irene, sons John and his wife, Wendy of Wenatchee, Wash., Jim and his wife, Kathy of St. Helens, Ore., and daughter, Peggy Baumgardner and her husband, Steve, of Eau Claire, Wis. He is also survived by his grandchildren Tracy Jones, Tanya Schnieider, Garrett Baumgardner, Jenny Baumgardner, Erik Syrstad, Kirsten Humbird and nine great grandchildren. Hal is preceded in death by his parents Sievert and Leah and his brother, Arthur.
Hal was a very talented man with a great sense of humor. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.
EMMES, IDA MAE
Ina Mae “Scotty” Emmes passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at home in Olga. Attending were her husband of 60 years, Emery B. Emmes and son Stephen and his wife Lynn Emmes. She also leaves another son, Kenneth Emmes and wife Christine, in Eugene, Oregon. She will be missed by grandchildren Emery Emmes II, Meredith Emmes, Martin Emmes, Craig Emmes and Great grandchild Carter Boston Emmes.
Scotty (also her father’s nickname) was born to Wallace R. and Edna L. Scott on January 26, 1926 in Pasadena California. Her childhood was spent in the shadow of the Rose Bowl, just down the road from CalTech University. She told many stories of the Rose Parade and working on the floats as a kid. The Clydesdale Horses were a special treat as she often got a ride on them after the parade.
After high school in Pasadena, she was accepted and started in a premed program at Stanford University hoping to become a Medical Doctor. WWII interrupted that dream, as her place in the program was canceled in favor of men for the war effort. After the war ended she went to UC Santa Barbara majoring in art with a teaching credential. There she met fellow teaching student Emery Emmes, marrying him in September of 1947. They tell stories of walking through the graduation line together, life in his small travel trailer home and sailing one of his boats along the coast near Santa Barbara.
Scotty was living in Ontario, California where Emery was teaching when they heard of a place known as Madrona Point on Orcas Island. Emery's next job was in Gardena, California. where sons Stephen and Kenneth were born. In 1952, they moved to their self-built home in Palos Verdes Estates, California.
Scotty was a stay-a-home mom until sometime in the late 50’s, when with her husband's Dad’s strong encouragement and support, she went back to school and graduated with a Nursing degree. That combined with the earlier Teaching Credential allowed her to accept a position teaching nursing at California State College, Long Beach. She combined this with several positions around the area as Director of In-Service Training for various Hospitals until she and Dad “retired” in 1975, moving to Orcas the following year.
With help from their two sons, they completely remodeled the old William Moore house in Olga which they had purchased in 1968. Emery became a remodel contractor on Orcas and Scotty dived into church work at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. She served on the Altar Guild, put on or helped put on many a coffee hour, helped or ran many of the various sale days like Market Day. She created many of the Altar area cloth drapes and Officiant's vestments. She and Emery were the church gardeners with lots of help for many years.
"This week we’ve heard many compliments for her flower arrangements on the Altar and at many functions, " said her son.
In 1994 she achieved her longtime goal of getting Emmanuel Church listed on the National Registry of Historical Places. She served as Clerk to the Vestry for 17 years, with compliments for her neat and meticulous minutes. She and Emery received the Bishop’s Cross (one of the highest honors a lay person can receive in the Episcopal Church) for their work at Emmanuel.
She served in a similar organizational capacity for the Orcas Island Yacht Club as Emery rose in the ranks. In her spare time she worked with Dr. Stan Williams as an assistant both in his home clinic and on many a house call.
She was First Mate, deckhand and radio operator during many years of cruising the inland waters north of Orcas. Her Christmas fruitcake was legendary. She has been complimented for her hard work, her leadership and her forthright, honest, loving character. She is missed in many areas of this island and by friends world wide.
A Memorial Service at Emmanuel Episcopal Church is planned for August 18, at 2 p.m. with internment in the flower cross in the front lawn to follow. Father Murray Trelease of Lopez Island, a longtime favorite, has agreed to lead the service. In lieu of cut flowers, Mom would love a donation to the Emmanuel Garden Fund for the perpetuation of one of her favorite gardens, so that all may enjoy. She was also highly supportive of the OIYC youth sailing program, to which a donation would be very much appreciated. Please join her family in celebration of her wonderful life.
Leon Alan Fonnesbeck
July 22, 1921 - Nov. 15, 2007
As written by Miki Straughan years ago for the "Senior Times" "Leon Fonnesbeck has the look of an elder statesman, the heart of a lion and the droll sense of humor of a born comedian."
Born at home, the only son with two older sisters and brought up in the Mocky Mountain region of Utah, his father was the city attorney during Prohibition where bootlegging was rampant and often times hazardous.
His father, also named Leon Fonnesbeck, in 1923 fought the Logan City Power and Light Company for the welfare of the residents there.
Leon's youth was filled with animals, music, reading, radio, woodworking and he always had many many stories to tell about growing up and living his life.
He schooled in Utah, graduated from high school at the age of 16 and received his Bachelor's Degree from Utah State University in 1942.
World War II came along and in late 1942, Leon was drafted from Berkeley Law School in California. He resumed his education there at Boalth Hall of Law, Berkeley, in 1947, and graduated from there in 1949 with a J.D. (Juris Doctor of Law).
In 1950 he met and married
Berit M. Frieberg, a lovely young Swedish immigrant. They were married
for 50 years, until she died in 2000. They toured Northern Europe in 1952 and went around the world in 1962.
Leon became a trial attorney in the San Francisco Bay area, trying cases for insurance companies for 10 years and then switched over and tried cases on the plaintiff side for another 10 or 12 years.
Their only daughter, Emily, was born in December, 1956. Berit and Leon bought property on Shaw Island in August, 1970, and both made it their home in 1978,
Leon was first elected to the Board of Directors of Orcas Power and Light Cooperative on May 3, 1980. He was the first OPALCO director to be certified by the National Rural Electric Coop Association. He represented District 4 - Shaw, Bell, Canoe and Crane Islands. He was the backbone of the long legal battles with the Supply system, the infamous "WPPS" in the 1980s, and saved OPALCO from bankruptcy.
Leon was an amazing man and he will surely be missed.
Survived by one older sister, Marguerite Kloepfer and her husband Lynn of Ontario, Calif, his only daughter, Emily Justice, husband Perry and two grandchildren, Guy and Patrick Stickney, multiple nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and -nephews. A distant cousin, Barney Fonnesbeck, resides in Delta, B.C., Canada.
Memorial services will be held Dec. 9, 2007 at 3 p.m. at the Shaw Island Community Building, Shaw Island.
