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Atwater, Thomas Van Valkenburgh Friday, 21 Nov 2003
Thomas Van Valkenburgh Atwater died Nov. 21 at his home on Bainbridge Island.
He was born Jan. 8, 1919 in Spokane, to Thomas and Elizabeth Atwater.
While serving in World War II, he married
Jean Langston; they made their home in Seattle after the war.
After earning a master of arts degree from the University of Washington, he was recruited as a Teaching Fellow at Harvard University. There he earned a second master’s degree and a Ph.D in economics, then taught at Massachusetts Institute of Technology before developing a consulting practice.
Later he became dean of the College of Business at Eastern Washington University and served on the board of directors for North Coast Life and the Spokane Retirement Board for many years.
He is survived by his wife, Jean; sons Samuel Atwater, Rev. Thomas “Tim” Atwater and Eben Atwater; daughter Ann Lovejoy and six grandchildren.
There will be no services. Memorial contributions can be made to the Children’s Fund.
Pratt, Flora V. Monday, 17 Nov 2003
Bainbridge Island resident Flora V. Pratt, age 92, died Nov. 17 at her home.
She was born in Custer, S.D., on Aug. 20, 1911, to Elmer and Myrtella (Hartson) Fish.
She grew up in South Dakota and earned a degree as a Registered Nurse from St. Luke’s Hospital in Denver, Colo.
In the mid to late 1930s, she was a stewardess for United Airlines. While working as a nurse in 1950 at the Renton Hospital emergency room, she met her future husband, Ronald W. Pratt, who was being tended to for a golf-ball-inflicted head injury. They married
the next year.
They owned and operated a flower shop in Renton until 1970.
She enjoyed crocheting, knitting and playing golf at the Rainier Golf Club where she was a 23 handicap.
She is survived by sons Jim Pratt, Bainbridge Island, and Robert J. Pratt, Las Vegas, Nev.; daughter Marilyn Pratt Ellis, California; 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be at 1 p.m. Nov. 23 at Wyatt House, 186 Wyatt Way, Bainbridge Island.
Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home.
Selmer, Robert John Saturday, 15 Nov 2003
Former longtime Bainbridge Island resident Robert John Selmer, age 79, died Nov. 15 at his Kirkland home.
He was born April 17, 1924 in Skagway Alaska, the youngest of eight children.
He graduated from Washington State University, and had a long career as an accountant with the Bon Marche. He served as a corporal in the Army in World War II.
He and his wife Alice lived on Bainbridge Island from 1952 to 1992, and enjoyed walking and having picnics on the beach. He also enjoyed sports and music, and being with his family.
He is survived by his wife Alice; son Louis Selmer; grandchildren Dean Selmer, Michelle Hogg and Lisa Steilen; and six great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 12 at Tahoma National cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Children’s Orthopedic Hospital.
Stevenson, Stuart H. Wednesday, 14 Apr 2004
Bainbridge Island resident, Dr. Stuart H. Stevenson, died peacefully at home on April 14.
He was born Aug. 3, 1924, in Ocean Falls, B.C., son of Hugh and Edythe (Errington) Stevenson.
The family settled in Aberdeen, Wash., where Stu graduated from Weatherwax High School in 1942.
He started college, leaving to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and returned to school after the war, graduating from the University of Oregon in 1947 and the Illinois College of Optometry in 1951.
He started his optometric practice in West Seattle in 1953, retiring in 1990. During that time he was very active in the West Seattle community, serving as president of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club, YMCA board of directors, and West Seattle Helpline. He also was a volunteer for the Bainbridge Island Helpline.
He served as president of the King County Optometric Society and was a trustee of the Washington Optometric Association, District No. 3. He volunteered his services to the Seattle Vision Center and the Seattle Millionaire Club Charity.
He and his wife Ginny relocated to Bainbridge Island in 1993. He was an active tennis player, joining the Bainbridge Island Racquet Club, until illness forced him to slow down.
He was an avid fishing enthusiast; he made countless fly-fishing journeys and salmon expeditions with his buddies throughout his lifetime.
His children were at the center of everything he did in his life. He was also particularly close to Ginny’s younger sisters, Anne Solomon and Diane Cantwell; Diane, who spent her childhood and teen summers with Stu and Ginny, was with the family at his side when he passed away.
He was also fond of his retriever companion, Cami, his best friend Dr. Sam (Sue) Tarica of West Seattle, and longtime friend and fishing buddy, Joel (Sally) Buxbaum of West Seattle.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Ginny, of Bainbridge Island; son Jon of Maple Valley, and daughter Sheri of Kent; his father-in-law, Sid (Pauline) Cantwell of Palo Alto, Calif.; his mother-in-law Carol Cantwell of Windsor, Calif.; and Ginny’s eight siblings, all of California.
At his request, no funeral services will be held; a celebration of life will be held in May on Bainbridge Island. In lieu of flowers, the family requests remembrances to a favorite charity.
Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home, Bainbridge Island.
Ove, Margaret Friday, 09 Apr 2004
Margaret Ove, age 96, a resident of Bainbridge Island since 1939, died April 9 at Messenger House Care Center.
She was born June 6, 1907 in Yakima, the daughter of John and Gertrude Ditter. She graduated from Forest Ridge Convent in Seattle, and St. Mary of the Woods in Terrahaute, Ind.
She enjoyed playing bridge, gardening, boating, family and her church.
She is survived by her three daughters, Ann Dills Hahn of Bainbridge Island, Joan Dills Clough of West Seattle and Lynn Mortensen (Kirk) of Bainbridge Island; grandchildren Vicki Hahn Gillespie of Poulsbo, Shelle Hahn Bjolstad (Bob) of Seattle, Rocky Hahn (Niki) of Alaska, Hugh Mortensen (Susy) of Seattle, Matthew and Sarah Mortensen of Port Townsend; great-grandchildren Cierra and Paige Hahn, Allie and Kelli Gillespie, Brianna Bjolstad and Ian Mortensen and loving nieces, nephews, numerous old friends and her new friends at Messenger House.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Francis J. Ditter, sister, Genevieve Ditter Lemieux, husbands William Dills and Bjarne Ove, and her grandson Michael Joseph Hahn.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. April 16 at St. Cecilia Parish, Bainbridge Island, with burial April 17 at Calvary cemetery, Yakima. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, 98105.
Pyne, Merle Friday, 09 Apr 2004
Bainbridge Island resident, Merle Pyne, age 81, died April 9, with her family and Hospice by her side.
She was the youngest of four children born to Harry and Marion (Laird) Jones in Vancouver, BC, where she lived until her marriage to Bill Pyne of Rhode Island in 1943.
Her husband was an aeronautical engineer for the Army during World War II, which meant they moved often throughout the United States; but they chose their home in the Pacific Northwest.
Merle worked as a secretary for many years to noted Seattle architect John Graham, and had complete recall of how many steps it took to reach the top of the Smith Tower.
The couple built their house in Medina, where she became a homemaker to their two daughters, Laura and Martha.
Merle moved to Bainbridge Island in 1995 and lived on Wood Avenue, and later moved to her daughter’s home.
She was known for her ability to talk to anybody and could quickly engage strangers in conversation and laughter. She had a quick wit, and made friends and family laugh with what they called “Merle’s Pearls.”
Her husband, Bill, and her three siblings, Elmer, Anita and Harry preceded Merle in death. Her daughters, Laura Hall, San Francisco and Martha Horike-Pyne, Bainbridge Island, as well as three granddaughters, Erin Fletter, Denver; Alison and Amanda Horike, Bainbridge Island; and one great-granddaughter Ava Jolie Fletter survive her.
A celebration of Merle’s life will be held at 2 p.m. May 1 at her daughter Martha’s home on Bainbridge Island; call 842-9577. Friends are welcome and encouraged to attend.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Group Health Cooperative Hospice Care or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home.
Judith Sola, Judith Wednesday, 07 Apr 2004
Longtime Bainbridge Island resident Judith Sola, age 89, died April 7 at Harrison Hospital in Bremerton.
She was born Aug. 16, 1914 in Norway.
She taught Sunday school at Port Madison Lutheran Church and was active in the church.
She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States, taking cruises and visiting Norway.
In her younger years she enjoyed entertaining friends in her home.
She is survived by one son, Larry Sola, Bainbridge Island.
Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. April 13 at Port Madison cemetery. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home.
Anderson, Elwood Marvin Friday, 02 Apr 2004
Bainbridge Island resident Elwood Marvin Anderson, age 89, died April 2 at Island Health and Rehabilitation on Bainbridge Island.
He was born Feb. 20, 1915 in Enderlin, N.D., son of Jens and Ragna (Husemoen) Anderson.
Elwood got his first job as a 13-year-old chauffeur to a county commissioner from North Dakota.
Later he worked at Peterson and Peterson in Enderlin delivering groceries in his panel truck.
He spent 40 years as a brakeman/conductor on the Soo Line Railroad between Minnesota and North Dakota.
He retired in 1975 and he and his wife, Ruth, moved to Seattle to be near their daughters.
He enjoyed golf, playing the harmonica and the accordion on which he was self-taught.
He enjoyed woodworking and looked forward to every spring and the beginning of the Seattle Mariners season.
He is survived by his two daughters, Marvel Loria, Bainbridge Island; Jean Storelee, Port Orchard; one brother, Vernon (Leila) Anderson, Enderlin, N.D.; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter.
His wife, Ruth, in 2002; one sister, Margaret; three brothers, Henry, Elmer, and Norman; and one grandson, David Loria, in 1987, all preceded him in death.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. April 12 at First Lutheran Church, 2438 Mitchell Road, in Port Orchard.
A graveside inurnment service will be held at Port Blakely cemetery on Bainbridge Island at 11 a.m. April 24.
The funeral arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home.
Samek, Richard D. Tuesday, 23 Mar 2004
Former Bainbridge Island resident Richard D. Samek of East Lansing, Mich., died March 23. He was 69.
He was born March 3, 1935 in Alliance, Neb., to Melvin H. and Anne L. (Cherry) Samek, and grew up on Bainbridge Island.
He was an avid reader and sports fan, and enjoyed music, history and flower gardening.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Ann; daughter Kristen (Robert) Schmidt of Gresham, Ore.; son Jay (Manilla) Samek of Lansing, Mich.; grandchildren Sarah (Jordan) Adams, stationed in the U.S. Army in South Korea, Rachiny Samek of Lansing, Mich., and Noah Dean Schmidt of Gresham, Ore.; sister Jeanne (Joe) Shull of Lakeland, Fla.; brother-in-law David Erickson of Woodinville, Wash., and several neices and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Lynette Erickson.
Services will be at 2 p.m. March 26 at the Gorsline-Runciman Co. East Chapel in East Lansing, Mich., with the Rev. David A. Davis officiating.
Kilmer, Edith Mae Saturday, 20 Mar 2004
Poulsbo resident Edith Mae Kilmer, age 98, died March 20 at Martha and Mary nursing home in Poulsbo.
She was born Oct. 8, 1905, in Nebraska, the daughter of James and Nancy (Case) Hansberry.
She graduated from high school in Eastern Washington.
On March 26, 1923, she married
Eugene C. (Jerry) Kilmer. They made their home on the Olympic Peninsula, where he was a logger and she was a homemaker.
She became a licensed beautician and operated a salon in Port Gamble and later managed salons in Suquamish and then Kingston. Later she changed careers and worked as a nurse’s aide before retiring at age 72. She and her daughter then moved to Port Townsend, where she enjoyed family and friends.
She is survived by one son, Bill Kilmer, of Molalla, Ore.; one daughter, Evah Summers, Poulsbo; seven grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two daughters, Lela Kilmer and Gene Worsey.
A graveside inurnment will be held at 1 p.m. March 26 at Seabold cemetery on Bainbridge Island.
Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home.
