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Donn Steen
Feb. 2, 1918 -- March 22, 2004
Sequim resident Donn Steen died in Port Angeles at age 86.
He was born to Warren H. and Ruth I. (Dyer) Steen in Seattle.
He graduated from Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane.
Mr. Steen served with the Marine Corps in Iceland and the South Pacific during World War II.
He then attended the University of Washington and graduated from Eastern Washington College of Education at Cheney in 1953 with a bachelor's degree in music.
Mr. Steen was head of the printing department at Eastern Washington College and Lakeland Village in Medical Lake.
After retiring to Sequim, he taught piano and organ.
Survivors include his wife, the former Mary Holland; daughters Karolyn Powers and Linda Steen, both of Spokane, and Donna Diteman of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; seven grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services: At his request, none. Olympic Cremation Association, Port Angeles, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials: Peninsula Friends of Animals, P.O. Box 404, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
JAMES G. AIKEN
AUTOMOTIVE LEASE GUIDE FOUNDER DIES
James Aiken, who created Automotive Lease Guide, a primary source of information on the residual value of vehicles, died March 2 at the age of 87 in Santa Barbara, California.
Jim was born in Seattle on June 16, 1916. He opened his first Cadillac/Oldsmobile dealership in Port Angeles at age 23, the youngest General Motors dealer appointment ever.
After serving in World War II, he returned to the interrupted dealership in the building where Swain's General Store is now located.
In 1951, he sold his business to Howard B. Ruddell and moved his family to Southern California, where he opened an Oldsmobile dealership in Westwood. There, he owned and managed several auto franchises.
In 1960, Jim started an automotive leasing company and was a pioneer in the indirect leasing business, first in California, then nationally.
In 1977, he sold the software system that he developed. His son, Doug, bought the Automotive Lease Guide.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Irene; children, Charlotte Callans and husband, Dan; Doug Aiken and wife, Pat; Barbara Lindsay; Patricia Barone and husband, Frank; and six grandchildren.
Daughter Debbie Aiken preceded him in death.
A memorial celebration was held at La Cumbre Country Club on Friday, March 12, 2004. A thoughtful contribution may be made in the memory of James Aiken to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org) or the charity of your choice.
GERALDINE M. `JERRY' NICHOLS
Geraldine M. ``Jerry" Nichols, a gentle and kindred spirit, passed away March 17, 2004, at her Port Angeles home in the presence of her family at the age of 68 years.
Jerry was born March 26, 1935, to James A. and Dorothy L. (Clements) McAdams in Seattle, Washington.
She attended St. Alphonso's Catholic School in Ballard.
In 1946, at the age of 11 years, Jerry, her mother and stepfather, Alvin E. Milton, moved to the Curlew, Washington, area, where Jerry panned for gold beside her parents on Goosmus Creek, where they lived for some time.
Jerry attended Curlew School, where she graduated in 1953. She was a lead majorette in the Barrel Derby Parade and crowned school princess. She was gifted in musical abilities, often playing the organ and accordion.
On June 9, 1952, Jerry married
the love of her life, Boyd Edwin Nichols, at the Nichols' Toroda Creek Family Ranch and home in Wauconda, Washington. Five children were born of this union.
Jerry and her family moved to the Kent area in 1963. Jerry worked as a census taker and Avon lady. She was a devoted and loving wife and parent.
She was on the bowling league UFOs and bowled in numerous tournaments. She was league secretary in Kent.
Jerry with her family moved to Basalt, Colorado. For a brief time they returned to Kent. In 1974, Jerry and her husband moved to the Port Angeles area, living west of Joyce until 2001, when she moved into Port Angeles.
Jerry was a member of the IBC church and a member of NRA. She enjoyed camping, fishing, clam digging, archery, target practice, traveling, crocheting, sewing, canning, gardening, family events and get-togethers with her family and friends. She was an inspiration and will be missed by all.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Boyd Edwin Nichols, on May 25, 1995, her great-grandson Caiden, age 2, her ``angel, " in January 2003, and her parents (mother, father and stepfather).
She is survived by sons Leonard Nichols of Forks and Rick (Kathy) Nichols of Sequim; daughters Vicki (Charles) Lebuis, Anita (Bill) Weems and Cindy (Doug) Gedelman; 19 grandchildren, Randi (Brent), Nicholas, Travis and Donald, Andie (Alex), Willie, Heidi (Miah), Daniel (Mercedes), Stacy (Kenneth), Amber, Kimberly, Casey, Alicia, Brianna, Kyle, Nick, Grace, Joe (Ali) and Jeremy (Jesse); great-grandchildren, O'Rion, Kirsten, Nikita, Boyd, Tiesen, Zachary, Michael, Brady, Roman, Terry, Jayde, Matea and Jeremiah; also companion and friend Missy Kitty.
Service: A memorial celebration of life will be held Sunday, April 4, 2004, at her residence at 1240 W. 15th St., Port Angeles, with a potluck following. Pastor Jim Jones will officiate.
A private gathering of family and friends to gather at the family's ranch on Toroda Creek will be at a later date.
Drennan-Ford Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials: Hospice of Clallam County, P.O. Box 2014, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Duska Rochelle Jensen
July 3, 1954 -- March 19, 2004
Duska Rochelle Jensen of Monte Rio, Calif., died of a stroke while visiting family members in Port Angeles. She was 49.
She was born in Berkeley, Calif., to John and Lillian E. (Sjostrand) Jensen
In addition to her parents, brother and sister-in-law Allen and Roxanna Jensen and sister Dawn Jensen-Nobile, all of Port Angeles, Ms. Jensen is survived by daughter and son-in-law Nicki Benkula-Keller and Arron Keller of Fresno, Calif.; daughter Alanna Gladney of Columbus, Miss.; and brothers and sisters-in-law Daniel and Carolyn Jensen of San Jose, Calif., and David and Marilyn Jensen of White Horse, Yukon Territory.
Services: Wednesday, March 24, 11 a.m., funeral in Ocean View cemetery, 3127 W. 18th St., Port Angeles. Drennan-Ford Funeral Home, Port Angeles, is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials: Charity of choice.
William E. `Bill' McLeod
May 6, 1926 -- March 15, 2004
Port Townsend resident William E. ``Bill" McLeod died in Seattle at age 77.
He was born in Jacksonville, Fla., to Wesley B. and Johnnie (Givens) McLeod and spent his early years in Laurel Hill, Fla., before attending Georgia Military Academy for elementary and secondary education.
He joined the Marine Corps and served on active duty in 1944-55. He was discharged as a master sergeant.
His assignments took him from Marine facilities at Cherry Point, N.C., to New York City, Washington, D.C., Henderson Field in Hawaii, and El Toro Marine Corps Air Station in Santa Ana, Calif.
Mr. McLeod did undergraduate studies in civil engineering with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
He advanced to chief navigator for an airline.
In addition to flying, Mr. McLeod's interests included collecting Western memorabilia, cooking and being a grandfather.
He was a lifetime member of both the Marine Corps League and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He married
Dorothy Elisabeth Brown in New Bern, N.C., on Dec. 7, 1946. They divorced in May 1970.
He married
his second wife, Bertha, in 1978. They divorced in 1984.
Survivors include son Bill McLeod of Benicia, Calif., and sons and daughters-in-law David and Judy McLeod of Port Ludlow and Bruce and Bianca McLeod of Fresno, Calif.; daughter Diane of Antioch, Calif.; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Services: Saturday, March 27, 11 a.m., memorial in New Life Assembly of God Church, 1636 Hastings Ave., Port Townsend. Pastor Loren Hamar will officiate. Kosec Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Gerald D. `Jerry' Staudenraus
Sept. 17, 1919 -- March 21, 2004
Port Angeles resident Gerald D. ``Jerry" Staudenraus died in Olympic Medical Center at age 84.
He was born to Rudolf and Clara (Elsted) Staudenraus in Milbank, S.D., where he graduated from high school before enlisting in the Army in 1940.
During World War II, Mr. Staudenraus survived the Bataan Death March and spent 3½ years as a prisoner of war before he was liberated in September 1945. He was discharged in 1946.
He married
Hazel Scholes in Seattle on March 1, 1947.
While living in Seattle, Mr. Staudenraus was in the real estate and insurance industries. After moving to Port Angeles in 1964, he established Angeles Realty.
Mr. Staudenraus was a member of the Peninsula Chapter of Ex-POWs, Disabled American Veterans and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Survivors include his wife; sons and daughters-in-law Jeff and Jan Staudenraus of Bend, Ore., and Jim and Teresa Staudenraus of Carlsbad, Calif.; daughter Julie Myers of Port Angeles and daughter and son-in-law Jean and Steve Dellino of Snohomish; sister Delores Burnett of Edmonds; 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Services: Wednesday, March 24, 7 p.m., rosary in Drennan-Ford Funeral Home, U.S. Highway 101 and Monroe Road, Port Angeles
Thursday, March 25, 11 a.m., funeral Mass in Queen of Angels Catholic Church. 209 W. 11th St., Port Angeles, with the Rev. Kurt Nagel celebrating.
Friday, March 26, 11 a.m., burial with full military honors in Tahoma National cemetery, 18600 SE 24th St., Kent.
Memorials: Mariannhill Fathers, P.O. Box 87, Dearborn, MI 48127; or charity of choice.
Carmen Brown
Sept. 29, 1915 - March 17, 2004
Port Angeles resident Carmen Brown died at age 88.
She was born in Stanwood to Melvin J. and Maud (Oars) Brann and graduated from Marysville High School before receiving nursing training at Everett General Hospital.
She married
Louie J. Brown in Olympia on June 17, 1935.
She was active in the St. Agnes Guild at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church as well as belonging to the Eagles Ladies Auxiliary and Port Angeles Senior Center.
She enjoyed playing bridge, flyfishing at Lake Crescent, bowling, gardening and watching televised Seattle Mariners games.
Mrs. Brown is survived by daughter and son-in-law Jackie and Randy Bruce of Cordova, Alaska; one grandson and two great-grandchildren.
Services: Private services will be held. Drennan-Ford Funeral Home, Port Angeles, is in charge.
Memorials: Hospice of Clallam County, P.O. Box 2014, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
Hilda D. Castellano
Aug. 14, 1919 -- March 19, 2004
Port Townsend resident Hilda D. Castellano died at age 84 following a long illness.
She was born in Point Roberts to parents Ben and Runa (Thorsteinson) Thordarson. Her childhood years were spent helping in the family store, followed by teen years in which she worked at the local salmon cannery.
After graduating from high school, she attended a trade school in Seattle and received her beautician's license.
In 1940, she and a girlfriend moved to Port Townsend, where she met Lawrence Stephen ``Casty" Castellano. They married
on Oct. 12, 1941.
While raising their four sons, Mrs. Castellano also served as a Cub Scout den mother, enjoyed gardening and earned many awards at the Jefferson County Fair.
She was an active member of Lady Elks, American Legion Auxiliary Cabin Fever Quilters and Grace Lutheran Church. She also enjoyed clam digging and camping.
Mrs. Castellano's survivors include her husband of 63 years; sons and daughters-in-law Mike and Sharon, Steve and Judy, Gary and Henryetta and Rick and Carol; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Services: Saturday, March 27, 2-4 p.m., a celebration of life be held in the Port Townsend Elks Lodge, 555 Otto St. Those attending are requested to bring thoughts, stories and memories to share. Kosec Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Memorials: Charity of choice. The family requests no flowers.
Gayle Elaine Miller
May 28, 1958 -- March 17, 2004
Lifelong Port Angeles resident Gayle Elaine Miller died at age 45 following a long illness.
She was the daughter of Gerald Edwin and Viola Faith (Lyon) Miller.
During her career years, she worked in the health-care field, including employment at Olympic Memorial Hospital in the 1980s.
Her hobbies included painting ceramics and crocheting, especially blankets.
Ms. Miller, who was known as ``Mom" to all, is survived by her companion of 24 years, Rich Movius, sons Nicholas and Andrew, daughters Christina and Samantha and brother and sister-in-law Dale and Roxie Miller, all of Port Angeles; brother and sister-in-law David and Sandy Miller of Sequim; sisters and brothers-in-law Gerri and George Flynn of Stockton, Calif., and Glenda and Jeffrey Pocha of Snohomish; and two grandchildren.
Services: Sunday, March 21, 1-4 p.m., celebration of life for family and close friends at the home of Christina Miller, 2419 W. 14th St., Port Angeles. Drennan-Ford Funeral Home, Port Angeles, is in charge.
Memorials: Gayle Elaine Miller Memorial Fund, any area branch of Bank of America.
