January 2006

BJ Stokes was born Dec. 31, 1928. She was the last baby born in the city of Spokane in that year. She passed away quietly at her home Jan. 11, 2006.

The family moved to Des Moines where she lived her life watching the town progress from the early years to the present growth. She loved and was so proud of her flowers and plants. She was so proud of her garden and doing the canning and freezing of the produce and giving neighbors and friends ample supply. Her animals were very special to her, especially her collie dogs.

Ron Shoemaker died peacefully January 13, 2006.

Ron was born in Seattle on May 3, 1944, and was a long-time resident of West Seattle. He graduated from Santa Ana High School in Orange County, California, and later attended Highline Community College and the University of Washington.

Ron was a Lieutenant in the Seattle Fire Department and served 15 years until his retirement in 1986.

Frederika (Schlanbusch) Packard, 88, passed away Jan. 16, 2006, at Wesley Homes in Des Moines.

Frederika (Fritzie) was born in Bradish, Nebraska, on March 26, 1917, to Annetta (Sanderson) and Iver Schlanbusch. She was named after her grandfather, Frederik Schlanbusch, a Norwegian immigrant and a Civil War veteran. After her father, Iver, died in the 1918 flu epidemic she, her mother and her brother relocated to Parkland, Wash. Her mother then married Gustav Schlanbusch, brother of Iver. Fritzie graduated from Pacific Lutheran College High School and studied nursing at PLC.

July 6, 1922 - January 10, 2006

Robert Beaumont, scientist, business man, and naval aviator died after a long illness January 10 at Providence Mt. St. Vincent's in West Seattle.

Mr. Beaumont was born in Deer Lodge, Montana on July 6, 1922. He entered the University of Washington in 1941, but left to serve in the Navy between 1942-46. He served in a night fighter squadron on the U.S.S. Saratoga and later on the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard, flying many combat missions.

Joanne Audett Griffin, 63, wife of Michael for 41 years and mother of five, died January 16 of a rare cancer after a long illness. She was very proud to be a fifth generation West Seattlite; her great grandfather served on the West Seattle city council. In 1964, she graduated from Seattle University with a BA in Education. She was a long-time Camp Fire leader, specializing in nature studies and known as "Big Bird" at summer camp. Traveling throughout the west was one of her joys, hunting down antique shops, auctions, rock collections and garage sales along the way.

Carey V. Kerwin was born on August 22, 1956 in Seattle, Washington and passed away on January 16, 2006 in Seattle, Washington. He is survived by his son Taylor Kerwin and daughter Jessica (Justin) Kapaun, mother Jean Kerwin and father Fred Kerwin, brother Brad Kerwin and his family, sister Marla (Dan) Burke, uncles Buzz, Russell, and Ken and their families and many friends. He enjoyed watching sports and NSCAR racing. Memorial Services were held at 2 p.m Saturday, January 21, 2006 at Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Seattle, Washington.

Alver J. Sanberg; 89, a West Seattle resident most of his life, passed away January 13, 2006. Alver spent his summers on Treasure Island where he resided. He loved boats especially drag boat racing and he was an avid Mariners fan. He served in the Army Air Corp.

Family members include his son, Ken (Pam) Sanberg of West Seattle and two grandchildren, Kim Sanberg and Ken Jr. both of West Seattle. Alver was preceded in death by his wife, Ann.

Memorial services will be held at Yarington's Funeral Home, Wednesday January 25, 2006 at 11 a.m. (206) 242.2771.

Ron Shoemaker died peacefully January 13, 2006. Ron was born in Seattle on May 3, 1944 and was a longtime resident of West Seattle. He was a graduate from Santa Ana High School in Orange County, California and later attended Highline Community College and the University of Washington.

Ron was a Lieutenant in the Seattle Fire Department and served 15 years until his retirement in 1986.

Darrell A. Walter 59, died January 17, 2006 after a long hospital stay. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1965 and from Puget Sound Christian College in 1970. he was ordained into the ministry in 1971. Survived by wife Diane, mother Merilyn Walter, sister Darlene Firpo (Len), brother Donn (Sabine) and Doug (Elizabeth) and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Walter.

Memorial service will be Saturday January 28th at 10 a.m. at West Seattle Christian Church 4400 42nd Ave SW, Seattle.

William was born January 10, 1924 in Seattle, WA. He died January 16, 2006 at the age of 82. In college, William was part of the Navy ROTC, and a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity at the University of Washington and also graduate from the U of W. He worked in education for 30 years, working as a principal in the Puyallup, Anacortes, and Parkland School Districts, and then finishing his career in the Federal Way School Dist. as an Assistant Superintendent in Charge of Personnel. William was a member of Rotary and he enjoyed taking time to go Steelhead Fishing.