Obituaries

Valerie was born June 10, 1834, in Hoquiam to William and Lillian Sutherland. She graduated from Hoquiam High School, class of 1952. She was married in 1954 to her life love and best friend, William Ditty. She studied journalism at the University of Washington, and had a lifetime love of linguistics easily seen in her passion for crossword puzzles.

Val had a flair for art and was accomplished in metal sculpture.

Born: Aug. 29, 1921

Died: July 23, 2007

Betty Thomas was a long-time Burien resident of 59 years. She worked at Wolf's Restaurant in Olde Burien, loved gardening and many trips to her favorite place, Mexico. She and her husband, George, had over 20 years retirement and enjoyed many travels to different destinations.

She will be missed by her family. Suggested donations be made to Highline Health & Hospice, 12844 Military Rd. S, Tukwila WA 98168.

An extraordinary and generous lady, Maxine was born in Hoquiam on March 22, 1915. She lived in Hoquiam with her brother Karl and her sisters Geraldine and Carmen and their parents. After graduating from Hoquiam High School she attended business school.

In March 1939 she married Frederick Joseph Le Penske, Jr. She continued to work in Hoquiam but spent many weekends and months at Longmire on Mt. Rainier. Fred was in the Army and they lived at Fort Lawton when son Fred was born.

Dorene moved on to the next part of her journey on July 26.

She was a Montana farm girl whose first teaching job was in a one-room school house on an Indian reservation. Before her death she would travel far beyond that reservation to all corners of the world.

After being widowed and left with two young children to raise, before the term 'single-parent' was known, she met and married the love of her life, Emil Bickel. They moved to Seattle in the late 50s where she attended Seattle University and resumed her teaching career for another 30 years in the Highline District.

Almy "Scotty" Burke passed away July 22, 2007, in the presence of her husband and her two children. Scotty is survived by her loving husband. Jack, her son Shawn, her daughter Shannon, her grandsons Jesse and Kevin Jr., many nieces and nephews and dear friends.

She fought hard but lost her battle with Spindel Cell, a rare and aggressive cancer.

Scotty was born on a ranch near Mildred, Montana, on Oct. 27, 1923, to Jesse and Elizabeth Trafton.

An extraordinary and generous lady, Maxine was born in Hoquiam on March 22, 1915. She lived in Hoquiam with her brother Karl and her sisters Geraldine and Carmen and their parents. After graduating from Hoquiam High School she attended business school.

In March 1939 she married Frederick Joseph Le Penske, Jr. She continued to work in Hoquiam but spent many weekends and months at Longmire on Mt. Rainier. Fred was in the Army and they lived at Fort Lawton when son Fred was born.

Prellwitz, Jr

George Raymond Prellwitz, Jr., age 44, beloved son, brother and best friend, passed away July 27, 2007, after complications from pneumonia. George was born August 22, 1962, in Renton. He spent most of his life as a floral designer. His biggest dedication was helping others. He is survived by his father and stepmother, George and Charlotte Prellwitz; best friend Darrell and five dogs; brother Michael; sisters Patty, Joyce, Joanne, Diane and Jeanie; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Valerie was born June 10, 1834, in Hoquiam to William and Lillian Sutherland. She graduated from Hoquiam High School, class of 1952. She was married in 1954 to her life love and best friend, William Ditty. She studied journalism at the University of Washington, and had a lifetime love of linguistics easily seen in her passion for crossword puzzles.

Val had a flair for art and was accomplished in metal sculpture.

Valerie was born June 10, 1834, in Hoquiam to William and Lillian Sutherland. She graduated from Hoquiam High School, class of 1952. She was married in 1954 to her life love and best friend, William Ditty. She studied journalism at the University of Washington, and had a lifetime love of linguistics easily seen in her passion for crossword puzzles.

Val had a flair for art and was accomplished in metal sculpture.

Born February 7, 1917, in Tacoma, Miriam's generous soul left this earth July 22, 2007. She reluctantly left her husband of nearly 66 years, Richard Stanley, two older sisters, Alison T. Seymour and Ruth Wiesen, two children, Ric Seymour and Lucinda Wingard, both of Gig Harbor, five grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters.

Miriam valued education very highly. She and her sisters earned college degrees during the Depression and went on to successful careers. Mim was a Teacher of the Deaf at Seattle Hearing and Speech Center, working with pre-school children and their families.