Master Sargent Ladd Conrad

Born February 19, 1942 in Seattle, WA ~ passed away September 11, 2011 in Mt. Vernon, WA. after a long illness.
A Ballard resident until he joined the Marines at age 17. Served in Vietnam and retired from the Marines at age 40. Ladd worked 15 years at Liquid Carbonic on the east coast.
After retiring he enjoyed golf and target shooting with his pastor and family. Ladd’s pet macaw, Ruby, was donated to a bird sanctuary in Carnation.
Survived by children Tim (Elizabeth), Tammi (Alex), Teresa and Rebecca, 13 grandchildren, a great-granddaughter, 3 brothers and 8 sisters.
Ladd chose cremation by Neptune in Everett.

Pearl S. (Rautio) Nelson: 1913-2011

Born in Miami, Arizona, Pearl passed away December 6th in Ballard, WA.
Her father worked in the Arizona Copper mines and her mother died in child birth when Pearl was one year old. Her father took Pearl to live with her Aunt and Uncle in New York Mills, Minnesota. She lived with them until her late teens when she moved to Seattle and eventually was employed by O.D. Fisher. Pearl remained with the Fisher family until marrying Magnus Nelson and moving to Ballard. She and Magnus lived in Ballard and built a summer home at Lake McMurry complete with a sauna. They made numerous trips to Norway and Finland to visit family.
Pearl loved to garden and tend her roses, but her passion was her life membership at both the Norse Home and Leif Erickson Lodge in Ballard where she volunteered and visited with many friends at the Kaffe Stua each week. During the year she could be found knitting and crocheting items for the bazaars.
Pearl is survived by many nieces and nephews from both Magnus’ and her families as will as many friends at the Norse Home.
Pearl wished to be cremated and placed next to Magnus. There will be a celebration coffee time at the Norse Home December 31st at 3 PM for family and friends.

Robert F. “Bob” Kruse

Our beloved father and grandfather has left us to join mom in heaven. He was the rock of our family and will be sorely missed. Bob was born April 2, 1920 to Fritz Emil Karl Kruse and Mary Arnell Kruse. He had two older brothers, Paul and Clarence, and an older sister, Florence. He passed away very suddenly December 7, 2011.
Bob grew up on Queen Anne Hill, graduated from Queen Anne HS in 1938 and went on to the University of Washington, graduating with a BS in Engineering in 1948. He took time off from school to join the army, serving in Nome, Alaska as a radio operator during WWII. After the war he came home to Seattle and became an avid skier, working at Snoqualmie Pass in the very early days of skiing. It was through his love of skiing that he met the love of his life, Betty. They were both members of the Penguin Ski Club at Steven's Pass and worked with other skiers to build their lodge, which still stands today. Bob and Betty married May 7, 1947. After graduating from the UW Bob went to work for Pacific Northwest Bell and was there over 30 years, retiring in 1980.
In 1956 Bob and Betty moved from Queen Anne to Olympic Manor and raised their family in the house that Bob lived in until his death. Bob was a great outdoorsman, an Eagle Scout, Boy Scout Leader, hiker and mountain climber, as well as a wonderful, fearless skier. He taught skiing through Fiorini Ski School at Snoqualmie Pass for a number of years. Boating was also a big part of family life and we took many fantastic boating vacations with other boating families. Bob and Betty enjoyed traveling and went all over the US, Canada, Mexico, and many foreign countries in Asia, Europe, Australia, and the Caribbean. They attended a number of Elderhostels together and always had such fun meeting people from all over.
Bob was an active member of the Ballard Lions Club and the Lions Foundation as well as Crown Hill United Methodist Church. He also volunteered at Ballard Swedish Hospital for 27 years. These activities kept him busy in the later years of his life.
Bob leaves behind daughter Nancy (Kyoichi), son Rich, grandchildren Kenji, Brett (Melinda), Adam, Erik, Shelby, and great-granddaughter Monica. We will miss him but are glad that he is back with mom.
A memorial service to celebrate Bob's life will be held Saturday, January 7, 2012, 2:00 pm at Crown Hill United Methodist Church, 8500 14th Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98117. Memorials suggested to Ballard Lions Foundation, Crown Hill United Methodist Church or Ballard Swedish Hospital.