Ralph L. Headman was born June 29, 1936 at home n West Seattle and passed away April 20, 2006. Ralph grew up and lived in West Seattle until September 2000. He and his wife, Mary, currently reside in Maple Valley.
Throughout the years, Ralph exhibited strength and unyielding determination.
Seventeen years ago, he suffered a major stroke which caused paralysis and affected his ability to communicate.
Born 13 November 1920. Died 19 April 2006
He leaves behind his wife, Margie, and four daughters. Jack was born in West Seattle and lived here all his life, expect for five years spent in the Army during WWII. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1938 and spent several years at the UW. He retired from the Seattle Fire Department after 25 years of service. At the time of his death he was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.
Donald L. Backman passed away peacefully Easter Sunday at the age of 83. He was a man of kindness, gentleness and an easygoing spirit who was the truest of friend and could always be counted on by people in need.
He is survived by his wife, Janet T. Backman, of 62 years, 3 children Meredeth Stucky, Marilyn Crandall and Fritz Backman, 9 grandchildren, sister Doris Kirkpatrick and brother Fred Backman.
Donald was born in Fargo, N.D., moved to Seattle in 1942 where he spent the rest of his life.
Born March 19,1913 to Frederick W. Watt & Effie (Mackenzie) Watt near Victoria, B.C., Canada the eldest of four children. Mona passed away peacefully April 18, 2006 after a very long struggle with Alzheimer disease. She was married in 1937 to John F. (Jack) Parker and they together raised a family of four children.
Mona moved with her family to Seattle in 1952 from Vancouver, B.C. and was employed with the Highline School District administrative office for many years making many friends along the way and retiring in 1978.
Edward J. Hermans joined his friend and companion of 34 years, Ed Morris, in heaven on March 8, 2006. He will be greatly missed and remembered by nieces, nephews, friends, neighbor and his "girl" Ginger.
James M. Rice, born Nov. 14, 1931, at peace, April 7, 2006 from pneumonia and complications from a long struggle with rheumatoid arthritis. Jim grew up in Fremont, Neb. and served three years in the Coast Guard during the Korean War. He graduated from the University of Nebraska with a Bachelor's Degree in English and he did graduate work at the University of Iowa. He was a member of Phi Kappa PSI Fraternity.
He moved to the Northwest and lived in the Des Moines area since 1967. He started his manufacturers representative sales agency, Tek Parts, Inc.
John Clarence Brownson Jr., 84, of Federal Way died Saturday, April 8, 2006. He was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on Nov. 23, 1921 and has been a resident of Federal Way for nine years.
John retired as a U.S. Marine Corps Captain after 20 and a half years, worked for the Boeing Company as an electrical engineer for ten years and also worked as an Emergency Services Director for Snohomish County. He enjoyed golf, fishing and hunting.
Mary Gillmore, 78, died April 7, 2006 at Franciscan Hospice House in Tacoma. She was born April 4, 1928 in Poplar, Mont.
Mary has been a resident of Federal Way since 1966. An avid Seahawks Fan, she loved to watch TV, especially "CNN", play chess, and work crossword puzzles. She was a great cook and a fantastic mother and grandmother.
Her sons, Thomas J. Gillmore III of Arlington, James M. Gillmore and Christopher Gillmore; daughter, Kimberly A.
Lifelong Ballard resident, Lorraine T. Hansen died April 11, 2006 at the age of 94. Born December 17, 1911 to Anna and Carl Bjork of Ballard, Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, husband Henry, sister Dode Bjork, and brother Will Bjork. She graduated from Ballard High School and was a proud graduate of the Swedish Hospital Nursing Program in 1935. She was a U.S. Navy Nurse during World War II. Lorraine worked for many years at Swedish Hospital, and after retirement for the Columbia Lutheran Home. There will be no services at her request.
Passed away April 12, 2006 after a long illness. He was born Dec. 5, 1925 at the family home in Ballard and resided there his entire life. He was the youngest of five children born to Norwegian parents, Magnus J. and Mary (Skjolsvold) Nelsen. His parents and his siblings, Thelma Oversvee, Ralph, Fred and Morris all preceded him in death.
Don attended West Woodland Grade School and Ballard High.
