Obituaries

Aug 30, 2021

 Robert "Rob" Gunderson passed away, at his home, in Bellingham on Monday, August 30, 2021 at the age of 74.

Rob graduated from Bellingham High School and attended Bellingham Technical College where he completed the machining program. He worked as an automotive machinist at Nesbit in Bellingham before he went to work at Georgia Pacific where he worked the remainder...

Aug 23, 2021

Peter G. Bjorklund "Pastor Pete" Where does one start? The pen will run out of ink long before one can finish defining this man. Our father was born March 22, 1930 and died peacefully Monday, August 23, 2021 in the early morning. Born in Terjarv, Finland, he grew up working in forestry and his father's lumber mills. A slight build...

Aug 22, 2021

Aug 20, 2021

Lane, a resident of Blaine, Washington, passed away at age 80 on August 20, 2021 following a long struggle with Alzheimer’s.  Lane was born in Red Wing, MN on November 26, 1940, the elder of identical twin boys, to Charles (Chuck) Fridell, Jr. and Jane Lidberg Fridell.  He graduated from Red Wing High School in 1958.  He attended Hamline University,...

Aug 18, 2021

Antonio Gonzalez, 49, beloved husband, father, son and brother went to be in the presence of his Lord and Savior on August 18, 2021 after an unexpected illness. Born November 15, 1971 in Sunnyside, WA, to Carlos and Pam Gonzalez he spent most of childhood years growing up in the Yakima Valley which later would influence his artwork. He grew...

Aug 13, 2021

Edgar Earl Pears Sr.

Went home through the gates of heaven and into the arms of Jesus, his Lord and Savior, on August 13, 2021 in Lynden, WA at the age of 86. Edgar was born in Spokane, WA May 6, 1935 to (father) Fabian Lewis Pears and (mother) Helen Cora (Campbell) Pears. He is survived by his beloved wife...

Aug 9, 2021

Aug 4, 2021

Theresa E. Matheson passed away peacefully in her home Sunday, August 8, 2021 at the age of 100.

She was born April 8, 1921 in Morgan City, Louisiana, she was raised by her parents Carlo & Maime (Cacioppo) Gagliano along with 4 sisters, and 6 brothers in a two-bedroom house on the Bayou. In 1945 she married the love of her...

Aug 2, 2021

Becky M. Hunziker Smith, age 67, of Deming passed away at her home Monday, August 2, 2021. She was born to parents Leonard and Edith (Keagle) Hunziker. She married Mike Smith in Salt Lake, Utah November 4, 1968 and made Whatcom County their home. Becky was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Robert Olsen. She is survived...

Aug 1, 2021

Cheri Elaine (Ten Kley) Johnson, age 69, met her Lord and Savior unexpectedly Sunday, August 1, 2021.  Cheri was born August 7, 1951 to her parents, Leonard and Dianne (Wellbrock) Cowden. She was raised in Deming and graduated from Mt. Baker High School with the Class of 1969. Cheri married Mike Ten Kley in February of 1971 and they enjoyed many wonderful years together until his passing in...

Jul 29, 2021

Patricia Antonia Derbeck O’Donovan Friedson, age 72, was born July 27, 1949, in California, and passed away peacefully at Shuksan Healthcare in Bellingham, Washington, on Thursday, July 29, 2021.

Patricia was a wildly gifted story-teller, writer, harpist, artist and caregiver. She will be cherished for the sweetness of her soul, which was ever attuned to wonder, beauty, truth, humor and...

Jul 22, 2021

James “Jim” Albert Rhone passed away on Thursday, July 22, 2021 in Bellingham at the age of 73.    

Jim grew up in the Mount Vernon area.  He graduated from Mount Vernon High School and attended Western Washington University.  He enjoyed sports, gardening and coffee.  His daughters remember the amazing garden he tended during their childhood where they could eat...

Jul 17, 2021

Christopher Joel Huff, age 39, passed away Saturday, July 17, 2021 at his sister's home in Bellingham, WA.  Chris lost his courageous battle with cancer, but not without leaving his mark of faith on this world. Chris is survived by his wife Michelle Talbott Huff and daughter Savannah Huff, of Bellingham, WA; parents Bryan and Michelle Huff; sister Moriah James and her...

Jul 12, 2021

Patricia (Patty) Ellen VanDiest of Sumas, WA passed away peacefully surrounded by her family July 12, 2021, at the age of 75.  Born in Abbotsford B.C., Patty was the youngest child of Frank & Dorotha Rolls. She had a stubborn spirit that carried her through her battle with cancer. Through all the radiation & chemotherapy treatments she never once complained.

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Jul 11, 2021

Beloved husband, father, brother, and papa, passed away unexpectedly on July 11, 2021 in his life long hometown of Bellingham WA.

On January 6, 1954, Dave was born to Cecil and Esther Simplot. As the youngest of 8 he was proceeded in death by his parents, brothers Robert and James and sister Marlene, leaving behind sisters Patrica (Jack) Davis, Kathy...

Jun 30, 2021

Birth               February 18, 1934, Oak Harbor, Washington

Death              June 30, 2021, Whatcom Hospice House, Bellingham, Washington

Burial             Saturday, July 3, 2021, Nooksack Cemetery, Nooksack, Washington

Dorothy Louise Hackett was born in her grandmother’s cabin on Whidbey Island, Washington on February 18, 1934. She is the eldest daughter of Arthur Russell and Opal Adelle (Walter) Hackett....

Jun 28, 2021

Verda Grace Ratcliff, age 89, passed away at her home on June 28th, 2021. Verda was born in Port Angeles, WA on Oct. 22, 1931 to Frank and Lena Lindsay. She married Walt (Holm) Ratcliff in June of 1951 and started her 17-year run traveling the U.S. as a dedicated Navy wife until Walt retired in 1968 and they settled...

Jun 27, 2021

Rosalie Margaret Robey, age 79, of Bellingham passed away Sunday, June 27, 2021 in Bellingham. She was born May 15, 1942 in Winona, Minnesota and had been a Whatcom County resident since childhood and graduated from Bellingham High School with the class of 1960. Rosalie worked as a Waitress for many years in Blaine and at the Horseshoe Café in...

Jun 26, 2021

Leonard “Jack” Balicki, age 70, passed away peacefully in his Bellingham, WA home Saturday, June 26, 2021 from long term illness surrounded by his loving wife Kathy Balicki and family.

Jack was born September 19, 1950 in Oak Harbor Island, WA to Leonard Anthony “Lenny” Balicki and Geraldine Josephine “Jerri” Linker.  He spent most of his active childhood in Sunnyvale,...

Jun 25, 2021

Merrill Embert Lewis, age 89, died at home with family after a long illness.  He was born in California in 1932 to Howard and Ida Lewis.  During the depression, the family of five moved to Baker, Oregon, where he initially lived with his immigrant Scandinavian grandparents, Hilma and Embert Fossum, growing up among a large family of aunts, uncles and...