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Harry Nelson
Harry Nelson, 90, passed away at his home in Yelm on Saturday, April 23, 2016. He was born in Woodlawn, Wash., on Sept. 15, 1925, to Ed and Anny Nelson.
Harry attended Hoquiam schools and left high school at the age of 17 to join the U.S. Navy. He returned after the war to receive his high school diploma.
On Aug. 27, 1949, he married
Edna Peltola. They were married
for 64 years and raised three children: Nancy (Walter) Harrison, Yelm; Sharon (Sam) Madsen, Centralia; and son, Harry (Kerri) Nelson, Tenino.
Harry loved his family and especially enjoyed visiting with everyone at family gatherings.
Harry was the superintendent at Grays Harbor Veneer before retiring to their home near Steamboat Island in Olympia. Harry loved the Sound, often saying, “This is God’s country.” Harry and Edna also enjoyed the desert and spent many winters in Palm Springs as snowbirds. Their retirement years also included travel to attend reunions with Harry’s fellow shipmates from the USS Rotanin. Harry was proud of his service in the Navy. He was fond of the WWII movie, Mr. Roberts, and often told his children “That’s my ship”. Everyone would laugh and then discount his claim saying there were many active duty Naval ships in WWII. While attending one of his ship reunions, he discovered the author of Mr. Roberts was indeed a fellow shipmate, and the movie was loosely based on the Rotanin. Harry got the last laugh on that one!
Eight years ago he and Edna moved to Yelm. They enjoyed gardening and sitting on their front deck facing a rural setting together. Edna died in 2013.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and his sister, Goldie.
He is survived by his three children, his grandchildren; Jayme, Jeffrey, Anthony, Alec, Emily, and great-grandsons; Noah, Gunnar, Titus, and Gage; his sister; Carol (Joe) Burich; sister-in-law; Eva Aiken; plus numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives.
A memorial service for Harry will be held 12 Noon on Friday, May 6, 2016, at the Coleman Mortuary, 422 - 5th Street in Hoquiam with Pastor Luke Kastner officiating.
The family would appreciate donations be made in Harry’s name to the American Heart Association, Pacific Mountain Affiliate, 708 Broadway, Tacoma, WA 98402.
Direction is by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
Deborah D. Brower
Deborah D. Brower, age 58, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 24, 2016, at Grays Harbor Community Hospital.
Deb was born in Sacramento, Calif., on Aug. 19, 1957, to Norm and Irma Etherington. She was raised in California, came to Washington in the early 1970s and graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1975.
Deb loved to spend time at the beach with her two dogs and horse. She was a lover of all animals, and would stop at nothing to help an animal in need.
Surviving relatives include her spouse, Irene Eadie; a son Frank Brower and her parents.
Deb will be missed every day, there will be a void in our lives that will never heal, but the life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to any no kill animal adoption center.
At her request, there will be no service. Cremation arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam.
Denis N. Huston
Denis Nayland Huston, aged 91, a resident of Ocean Shores, Wash. since 1976 and formerly Olympia, died on Thursday, April 21, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. Following cremation, he will be buried alongside his wife, Jean, at Willamette National cemetery in Portland, Ore. A Memorial Mass and reception is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, May 7, 2016, at St. Jerome Catholic Church, located at 15 Patrick Way, Ocean Shores, Wash.
Arrangements Entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen.
Eugene S. Frazier
Eugene S. Frazier passed away on April 20, 2016. He was born Feb. 11, 1926, in the Boistfort Valley to Elizabeth (Flickiger) and Worthy Frazier. Leaving school shortly after 8th grade, he joined the Navy Air Corps during World War II. Gene joined the Army in 1948, and was an Airplane Instrument Mechanic. After being honorably discharged, he went to work for Simpson Logging at Camp Grisdale. He also worked for Crass Logging, and then retired after 21 years with Weyerhaeuser as a tree faller.
Gene and his first wife, Virginia Schmidt, had six children. She preceded him in death in 1999.
Gene married
B.C. (Babe) Tyler Frazier in 2008.
Gene loved dancing, going to the casino, reading western books and woodworking. He also enjoyed learning how to turn bowls with his son, Rick in Hawaii.
Gene is survived by his wife Babe, sons Richard (Christine), David (Trudi), Donald (Laurie), Ken (Kathy), Bill (Valerie), and daughters, Diane, Linda Chilson (Eric) and Cyndi Tyler (Craig); brother George (Mary Beth), and sister, Arlene (Denny). He is also survived by 14 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Hugh, Earl, Robert, Glenn, Worthy, Fred and Ralph, sister Evelyn, and son, Michael.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Gene Frazier’s name may be made to Chehalis United Methodist Church, 16 South Market Boulevard, Chehalis, WA 98532.
A celebration of life will be held at the Chehalis United Methodist Church in the Broadway Hall on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at 1 p.m.
The family would like to thank Providence Centralia Hospital, and especially Dr. Poudyal and the caring nursing staff.
Debbie J. Winkler
Elma resident, Debbie Jean Winkler, age 53, passed away on April 27, 2016. She was born to Sally and Frank Winkler in Aberdeen, Wash., on July 28, 1962.
Debbie leaves behind a sister, Mary Lou Seymour; brothers Bob, Terry and David Winkler; five nephews, seven nieces, aunts, uncles and friends.
A celebration of life (potluck) will be held on Saturday, May 14, 2016, at 2 p.m. at her brother Terry’s home in Elma, 907 Garden Hill Rd. W.
Robert A. Cross Jr.
Robert A. Cross Jr., 64 years of age and a lifetime Harborite, died on Saturday, April 16, 2016, at his Hoquiam home. He was born on Feb. 28, 1952, in Aberdeen, Wash. to Robert Alfred and Jennie Mae (Sandstrom) Cross Sr.
He was raised in Hoquiam, attending the Hoquiam schools and graduated from Hoquiam High School.
He served with the United States Army in the 1970’s and was stationed in Germany with the Second Armored Division. He was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant on Nov. 23, 1976.
He returned to the Harbor where he had since resided. He had been married
to his ex-wife, Bonnie Cross, for 35 years.
Robert was last employed in the Aberdeen School District Maintenance Department.
He was a member of the River of Life Fellowship in Aberdeen. He enjoyed fishing, camping, woodworking and was a great barbecuer.
His family remembers him as being a great father, he was a joy to be around and he loved putting smiles on everyone around him.
For the past numerous months he had been together with Beverly Peterson.
Robert A. Cross Jr., is survived by his sons, Zechariah J. Cross of Auburn, Jesse O. Cross of Aberdeen, Gail M. Cross of McMinnville, Ore. and Daniel M. Cross of Aberdeen, his daughters, Bobbie Sudderth of Hoquiam and Anna M. Cross of Aberdeen; his mother, Jennie Ramstad of Surprise, Ariz.; grandchildren, Levi Sudderth, Noah Sudderth, Maya Sudderth, AnaBelle Cross, London Cross, Lester Cross and Gatlin Cross; two brothers, Mark Ramstad of Tumwater and Jeff Ramstad of Vancouver, B.C.; his sisters, Shari Stewart of Des Moines and Susan Holderman of Federal Way and other relatives. He was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Cross.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 7, 2016, at the River of Life Fellowship, 308 West King Street in Aberdeen. The service will conclude at the church. Private inurnment will be held in the Tahoma National cemetery in Kent, Wash.
Arrangements are by the Coleman Mortuary, 422 - 5th Street in Hoquiam.
Olga Alstrom
Lifelong Wishkah Valley resident, Olga Alstrom died at Grays Harbor Health and Rehabilitation Center in Aberdeen on March 9, 2016. She was 95.
Olga was born in Aberdeen Sept. 3, 1920, the daughter of John and Maria (Sikora) Blahut and was raised in the Aberdeen Gardens area of the Valley. She graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1939 and was married
to Ted Alstrom in 1940.
She was a mother and a homemaker, working on the family farm raising chickens, milk cows, cattle and pigs. During World War II she also worked in the plywood mills.
Olga enjoyed nature and the out-of-doors, berry picking, clam digging, road trips, visiting National Parks, reading and bingo.
She is survived by her children: Tim and wife Pam, Aberdeen, Ted and wife Sue, Allyn, Wash., Jack in Hoquiam, and Brenda Reibel and husband Bryn Beorse, Seattle; as well as six beloved grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband Ted, a twin brother, Stanley, another brother Edward Blahut, and two sisters: Gertrude Jamison and Helen Loveless.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 21, in the chapel at Fern Hill Funeral Home. Private interment has taken place in Fern Hill cemetery.
The family suggests memorials may be made to the Wishkah Valley Fire Department, 4660 Wishkah Rd., Aberdeen, WA 98520.
Arrangements are entrusted to Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home, 2208 Roosevelt St., Aberdeen.
Donna Leigh Curtis
Donna Leigh Curtis, 57, passed away on Jan. 22, 2015 from Cholangiocalcinoma at her family home in Aberdeen.
Donna was born on Sept. 9, 1957 in Rochester, N.Y.
Donna is survived by her sister Judy Gemmell, brothers, Brian Wray, Robert Wray of New York State, son Patrick O’Connor, granddaughter Savannah O’Connor and husband Gene of Aberdeen.
Per Donna’s request, there will be no funeral. A remembrance gathering will be held at a later date.
Cremation was by Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Betty Jean Burkhalter
Betty Jean Burkhalter of Raymond passed away peacefully at her home in Raymond. She was 82. Betty was born Sept. 5, 1932 in Galvin, Wash., to Charles and Carrie (Springer) West. She was raised in Pe Ell and graduated from Pe Ell High School in 1950.
On Jan. 27, 1990, she married
John “Jack” Burkhalter in Raymond.
Betty was a member of the Lebam Community Church and loved golfing, fishing, playing cards and spending time with her family.
Betty is survived by her son, Robert (Jill) Vaughn and her daughter Linda (Dana) Jerles; two brothers, Leslie West of Centralia and LeRoy West of Napavine; a sister, Joyce Nelson of Doty; five grandchildren, Ryan (Kelly) Jerles, Kristopher (Kathy) Jerles, Jacob (Christine) Vaughn, Tyson (Delaney) Vaughn and Lois Dracobly, and seven great-grandchildren.
In addition to Betty’s husband Jack, she was also preceded in death by her brother Delbert West.
At her request there will be no formal services. Memorials in her name can be made to The American Cancer Society, Lebam Community Church or Hospice.
Arrangements are entrusted to Harrison Family Mortuary of Aberdeen.
Margaret “Peggy” Rifenberg
Margaret Ann “Peggy” Rifenberg, a lifetime Aberdeen resident, died Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2015, at Grays Harbor Health & Rehab Center in Aberdeen. She was 71.
She had been a bookkeeper for ITT Rayonier and Weyerhaeuser.
A memorial service will be held for at 1 p.m. Sunday in the First Presbyterian Church in Hoquiam.
Cremation arrangements are by Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Myrna L. (Welch) Fitzgerald
A memorial service for Aberdeen resident Myrna LaVern (Welch) Fitzgerald, who died Dec. 22, will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday at the Wishkah Valley Church.
Charles “Quentin” Boyer
Charles “Quentin” Boyer, a longtime Grays Harbor resident, passed away Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, in Olympia at the age of 88. Quentin was born on Aug. 20, 1926, in Porter, Wash., to Maurice and Frances Boyer.
After graduating from Elma High School in 1944, Quentin went on to serve his country at the close of World War II in the occupation of Japan. Upon returning home, he married
Phyllis Marie Stadtman on Aug. 25, 1948.
He worked at the Simpson Plywood Plant in McCleary for 21 years and was later employed by the City of Elma in Public Works, retiring in 1998 as public works supervisor.
Quentin had varied interests — forestry, music and storytelling. In the 1960’s he was named Grays Harbor County Tree Farmer of the year. Throughout his life he performed in a number of bands, including The Porter Ramblers, and continued to perform up until the last week of his life. Quentin’s family and friends enjoyed his sense of humor and colorful narrations.
preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Phyllis Boyer, his parents and three of his four siblings, Bob Boyer, Dick Boyer and Mary Beerbower. Quentin is survived by his five children: Charles (Laurie) Boyer of Yokosuka, Japan, Dennis (Lisa) Boyer, Wasilla, Alaska, Morris “Merc” (Nina) Boyer, Elma, Wash., Cindy (Jim) Starks, Elma, Wash., and Maria (Kris) Boyer, Enumclaw, Wash. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Jessica, Erin, Rachel (Darrell), Garrett, Kelly, Breanne, Kali and Bryce, as well as his eldest brother Calvin (Sally) Boyer of Yuma, Ariz.
A celebration of life will be held at the Whiteside Mortuary at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, followed immediately by a social gathering at The Guesthouse Inn, Elma.
The family suggests memorial donations be made to The Elma Senior Center: P.O. Box 280, Elma, WA 98541.
Arrangements are entrusted to Whiteside Family Mortuary in Elma.
Joyce Jeanette Boora
Joyce Boora, formerly of Montesano, died Monday, Feb. 2, 2015, in Centralia. Joyce was born to Oscar Eugene and Hazel Dell McCaffery Wright, March 7, 1923, in Thorpe, Wis. Before Joyce’s birth, her mother traveled to Wisconsin by train, to be near female relatives, returning with Joyce to Cosmopolis.
Soon after Joyce’s birth, her mother became ill and the family was separated. At six months, Joyce was placed in foster care of George (Cougar) and Dora Smith of Satsop. She attended Schafer Prairie School until 9th grade. In 1938 she moved to Montesano, under the care of Roland and Mary (Smith) Boarman and later the family of Lloyd and Beth Foss. She attended Montesano High School, graduating in 1941. She attended Grays Harbor Business College, graduating in 1942. She worked at the Grays Harbor PUD for two years.
She became an accomplished pianist while living with the Smiths. She loved to give impromptu concerts for family and friends. In her teen years she learned to become a great cook, helping Helen Gleason on her Satsop Ranch, providing meals for the hay crew.
On Oct. 1, 1944, she married
the love of her life, James D. Boora. He preceded her in death by 20 days. They celebrated their 70th year of marriage last year.
Making their first home in Aberdeen, Joyce helped Jim in the dry-cleaning business, Model Cleaners, as well as homemaking. The family moved to Montesano in 1968, where they built a home along the Wynooche River, which they affectionately called “The Place.” When their health began to decline, they moved to Woodland Estates in Chehalis and then recently to Sharon Care in Centralia.
The couple have three children; James A. (Janet) Boora of Aberdeen, Julie (John) Estes of Hoquiam and Jeanette (Rich) McCallum of Chehalis. They have 8 grandchildren; Janelle (Scot) Embrey, James E. (Christi) Boora, Janis (Josh) Steele, Kurt (Carla) Estes, Tyson (Jess) Estes, Hayley (Ramon) Coronel, Lindsey (Paul) Agnew and Tyler (Callie) McCallum. They have 16 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews in Seattle. She was preceded in death by her mother, father, three brothers, one sister and her husband.
Joyce enjoyed RVing, and toured most of the Western States and Canada. She especially loved the yearly gathering of family and friends in the Teanaway River Valley. She was an avid reader and passed her love of books on to her children and grandchildren. She wrote several articles which were published in travel magazines. She will long be remembered for her love and devotion to her husband and family, and the meals she so carefully and lovingly prepared.
A combined service for Jim and Joyce will be held March 21 at 1 p.m., at the Montesano Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by Whiteside of Elma.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Foster Care: Citizens for Children Fund, 2716 East Hoquiam Road, Hoquiam, WA 98550.
