May 2006

Tracking a neighborhood's hate crimes

Just a few days before Christmas in 2004, a man was attacked outside of a Ballard restaurant. Before the assault, the attackers had asked the victim if he were gay. Though the victim replied that he was not gay, the assailants beat the man unconscious while they yelled, "This is still Ballard."

Ballard resident Ken Molsberry, who is gay, felt compelled to do something when he heard of the attack in his ostensibly safe neighborhood.

"The incident in Ballard shows that anyone can be a victim," said Molsberry.

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Summertime and the tour de foliage

Garden Tours are the "field work" for both the serious and the curious gardener, and the lookey lou, as well. It's the annual opportunity to sneak a peak at other people's work product and be a bit nosey. It's also the best opportunity to learn what works and what doesn't without enrolling in a junior college horticulture program. Mark the calendar, break in some new walking shoes and get ready to meet new people and have fun.

June 10th is the annual fundraiser for the Highline Historical Society.

Neighborhood
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Helen Iona Deets

1907 - 2006

Helen Iona Deets passed away May 10, 2006, in Burien, Wash. at 98. Helen was born May 15, 1907, the daughter of Iona Carolus Deets and Charles Tilden Deets, in Davenport, Wash. She worked for many years for the City of Seattle until her retirement in 1972. Helen shared residence and travel with Alpha Ritchey in West Seattle.

Helen is survived by her sister-in-law, Dorothy Deets of Bellingham, Wash.

Dorothy Jane Short

Beloved mother, grandmother, and friend

Passed away May 13, 2006. Born in Everett to parents Leo and Leone Hayden, Dorothy became a life-long resident of West Seattle. She dearly loved her family and nurtured home and hearth with great care and devotion. Dorothy and her husband, Howard, maintained a family business in West Seattle for over 40 years.

Lillian Lorraine Unwin Spotanske

Born January 11, 1927 in Bridgeport, Connecticut and grew up in Washington DC. Passed away peacefully in her sleep at Providence Mount Saint Vincent Nursing Home on May 12, 2006 Moved to Seattle in 1953 after marrying M.O. Spotanske in 1950. Her sisters, Edna, May, Dorothy and Florence preceded her in death. She is survived by her remaining sister, Alice Ford of Churchton, MD. Her children: Martin and his wife Sharon; Patricia; Roger and his wife Sue; and Catherine Spotanske Betts. Grandchildren: Lenny Vinson and his wife Michelle; Aaron and Justin Spotanske; and Billy Langdon.

Harry Belanger
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1928-2006

Harry Belanger Retired USMC First Sergeant passed away on May 20, 2006 after a long battle with cancer. He was born on February 26, 1928 to Alaric Ellen Lomis Belanger in Seattle, Washington. He served as a Marine in WWII and the Korean War.

Memorial Services have been scheduled for 10 a.m., Thursday, May 25, 2006 at Bonney-Watson Washington Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in SeaTac, Washington.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Allene, four children Diane Belanger, Sharon (Al) Chafin, Harry Jr. (Karey) Belanger, and David Belanger.

Helen Iona Deets

1907-2006

Helen Iona Deets passed away May 10, 2006 in Burien, Washington at 98. Helen was born May 15, 1907, the daughter of Iona Carolus Deetsand Charles and Tiden Deets, in Davenport, Washington. She worked for many years for the City of Seattle until her retirement in 1972. Helen shared residence and travel with Alpha Ritchey in West Seattle. Helen is survived by her sister-in-law, Dorothy Deets of Bellingham, Washington.

Rayford E. Hodo
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Born in Vera, Texas, July 8, 1927, died May 17, 2006. Raised in Sentinel, Oklahoma. Attended Oklahoma St. Moved to West Seattle and married Barbara J. Wickering in 1951. Survived by three brothers. Father to Curtis (Sandy), Eric (Dawn). Grandfather to Christie Steed, Danny, Michael Keith and Geoffrey Hodo. Five great grandchildren. Worked for HACK 19 years, 16 years as manager of Park Lake Homes and Sr. High Rises in the South end. After a long battle with Parkinson's, he was laid to rest at Tahoma National Cemetery.

The Rev. Ruben Edward Spannaus
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May 31, 1913 - May 24, 2006

Beloved father, grandfather, friend and mentor to many, Pastor Ruben Edward Spannaus, longtime resident of West Seattle died May 24, 2006, just one week short of his 93rd birthday.

Born May 31, 1913 in Loveland, Colorado, to Emma Schulengberg Spannaus and Edward Spannaus, Ruben completed high school in Woodland, California, entering the University of California, Berkeley, at age 16 and graduating with honors in 1934, majoring in math and science.

Shirley Ann Edwards

Shirley Ann Edwards was born in Juneau, Alaska on May 6, 1932 to Albert and Lempi Edwards. She passed on the beautiful, sunny morning of May 13, 2006, after a long battle with Emphysema. She was preceded in death by her husband, Erich Siegfried Ventur, her son, Timothy Ernest Ventur, and all eight of her beloved brothers and sisters. She is survived by son, Thomas Erich Ventur, daughter, Laurie Marie Fuller and her husband, Randal Fuller, grandchildren Christopher, Beccie, Eric, and Jessica, great grandchildren Damon and Ashley, and many nieces and nephews.