Jerry Jackson will be remembered as a kind, generous, eternal optimist with a quit wit and an easy smile that he would share with the closest of friends as well as strangers who were simply friends he had not yet met.
Jackson, 69, died peacefully on November 20 after a five-year battle with cancer. He had defied the odds, surviving three years beyond all prognoses.
Stanislaw Milkowski was born in Lublin, Poland, on Palm Sunday, 1918. He attended grade school and high school in Lublin.
After graduating, he served in the Polish army's cavalry unit during the Second World War. While in the service, he was held as a prisoner of war by the Russians. When Hitler invaded Russia, he and all the labor-camp prisoners were released. Most of them ended up in Africa where some of them, including Stan, volunteered for the Royal Air Force.
Robert Lee Hudson, 82, of Des Moines, died on November 18, 2006, in Federal Way. He was born in Champagne-Urbana, Ill., on January 1, 1924, and had been a resident of Des Moines for 40 years.
Robert served in the Army during World War II under General Patton. He retired as a caregiver for developmentally disabled children.
Age 85, passed away peacefully and went home to the Lord on November 12, 2006. He leaves behind his loving daughters, Cynthia (Jerry) Stewart of Lakewood and Kristin Norby of Seattle; sisters, Valborg Grande of Tacoma, and twin, Josephine Fiorito of Seattle. Many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, also survive. Predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Arlene M. (Anderson) Norby, and his parents, Johan Torvald and Julia P. (Jacobsen) Norby; two brothers and four sisters. He served proudly in the United States Navy during WWII, and was active in the Lutheran Church.
Maxine left us peacefully on November 15, 2006 after a full life of 84 years. She leaves behind five daughters (Janice, Joyce, Joan, Karen and Carol), a son (Phillip) and five grandchildren (Adrienne, Adam, Paul, Katelin and Heather), a brother (Everett) as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and many dear friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 27 years, Edward Tomisser. She will be greatly missed by us all and leaves a legacy of love and support.
Maxine had a number of passions and a true zest for life.
Age 74, passed away on November 10, 2006. She was born in Aizpute, Latvia on November 14, 1931 and immigrated to the United States with her parents. Her family took up residence on Orcas Island where she attended high school and graduated as class Valedictorian. She married Ojars Emmermanis in 1953 and together they raised their two children in West Seattle. She was a patron of the arts, an accomplished cook and an avid gardener. She is survived by her husband, Ojars of 53 years, daughter Erika Moorhouse and husband David; son Ivars Emmermanis and many treasured friends and loved ones.
Lillian T. Widner, age 97, was born November 24, 1908, in Black Diamond, Wash. She died on November 10, 2006, two weeks shy of her 98th birthday.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Widner, and her son, Richard Burnside.
Lillian lived a long and healthy life filled with gardening, traveling around the world, and a passionate love for animals. She devoted much of her life to her own pets as well as the care and well being of all animals. She will be greatly missed by all of us.
On November 10, 2006, Douglas H. Stout was taken from his family and friends much too soon. Doug was a kind hearted person who loved just hanging out with his family and friends. His smile and generous sense of humor is what we all will miss the most.
Doug was born August 5, 1979, in Washington state. He attended Highline High School and still spoke with several of his high school friends.
Doug leaves behind his mother Sheri, dad Doug Sr., sisters Sarah and Brianna, brothers Lucas and Wyatt, nieces Trinity and Skylar and countless other family and friends.
Long-time Des Moines resident Nolan L. Rahm passed away on November 12, 2006, at the age of 82. Nolan was born in Portal, North Dakota, on July 15, 1924, to Victor Rahm and Annie Hilton Rahm.
He graduated from Bremerton High School in 1942 and from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard apprentice school as a toolmaker. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and retired from the Boeing Company in 1989. Nolan spent his free time at the Des Moines Marina visiting with his many friends.
Nolan was preceded in death by his sister, Margaret Hodge.
Nov. 4, 1916-Nov. 3, 2006
After a courageous battle with cancer, or dad passed away one day before his 90th birthday.
Dad was born and raised in LaCrosse, Wash., and graduated from LaCrosse High School in 1934. After high school, he worked in the Ford garage there as an auto mechanic.
In 1938, he was hired by Northwest Airlines and began his career as an aircraft mechanic in Spokane. During World War II, he was transferred to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, where he helped support the airline's military flights to the Aleutian Islands.
