Obituaries

Jan 24, 2020

Karen Jackson (Carstens) passed away January 24, 2020 at the age of 83 years. She was born in Spokane, Washington and was the only child of Erwin (Erv) and Elise Carstens.

Karen grew up in idyllic surroundings of a close-knit family and neighborhood on Glass Avenue in Spokane. During her childhood, she was a classic tomboy enjoying rough and tumble...

Jan 23, 2020

On Thursday, January 23, 2020 the World lost a very special caring daughter, wife, mother and grammy Debbie Jean Engler. Debbie had a very gentle disposition towards her children, grandchildren and people she loved, but a fierce hatred towards any opponent of her beloved Seattle Seahawks. There never was a child that she did not love, nor a child that...

Jan 19, 2020

Geraldine “Geri” Tjoelker, age 81, of Lynden, WA, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2020.  Geri was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  The first child of Bill and Arendine Nyland, she grew up in Sumas, WA and graduated from Lynden Christian High School (1957).  In 1958, she married George Tjoelker, with whom she produced and nurtured four children. 

Geri...

Jan 16, 2020

On Thursday January 16, 2020, Dave Nerad, age 71, died quietly in his sleep from complications of lung cancer. He leaves behind his beloved daughter Jennifer Nerad and wife Margie Katz, former wife Rose Nerad, and scores of dear friends linked by the love of making music together. Dave was a highly skilled and respected luthier and musician. Through his...

Jan 16, 2020

Rae A. “Penny” Shine, age 85, passed away at her home suddenly and unexpectedly on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020.  Penny was born July 24, 1934 in the family home on Mason Street in Bellingham and lived in Custer.  She is survived by sisters Netta Lou of Oregon and Sandy of Custer as well as two daughters, Margo of Ferndale and...

Jan 14, 2020

Curtis Gene Atneosen, 81, passed from this life into eternal life at his home in Lynden, Washington. He was born in St. James, Minnesota, the son of Clarence and Helen Atneosen. Curtis was raised in St. Paul, Minnesota along with his three brothers and two sisters.

Curtis graduated from St. Paul Central High School in 1958. He graduated from the...

Jan 12, 2020

Bill Thomas, age 87, of Bellingham WA passed away Sunday, January 12, 2020 at the Whatcom Hospice House after a short fight with lung cancer.  He was born in Sandpoint, Idaho on July 7, 1932 to Arthur and Beatrice (Kerns) Thomas.  Bill was an avid hunter and flintknapper as well as a GoldWing motorcycle enthusiast.  Bill retired from Intalco Aluminum Corporation as...

Jan 12, 2020

David C. Fischer, age 80, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, January 12, 2020 from cancer.  He will be greatly missed by all of those who knew and loved him.  A celebration of his life is planned in March with day and location TBA.

Jan 9, 2020

Bryce Leonard Metcalf, having just turned 68 on December 12th died peacefully at the PeaceHealth Saint Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham WA after a very brief illness on January 9, 2020. Bryce took great pride in never being in a hospital since his birth in 1951 until this illness in December.

Brycie, the baby of the family, was raised on...

Jan 7, 2020

Dr. Patrick James Nestor, of Bellingham WA, passed away January 7, 2020 in Seattle, WA. He was 51.

Pat was a beautiful, kind man, a husband and a father, a son, and a physician. He found funny things in the most unexpected of places, and could make a whole room of people laugh with just a few words. He loved...

Jan 7, 2020

Vincent “Vince” Thomas Phelps was an incredibly kind person who, despite the struggles of life, always made friends wherever he went. He will be remembered for his early years in Blaine sports: football, baseball, golf, wrestling, basketball, the list goes on. He graduated Blaine High School in 2008 and maintained a strong love of Borderite sports.

He was preceded in...

Jan 5, 2020

Myrtle M. Martin, age 90, of Lynden passed away Sunday, Jan. 5, 2020 at her home. Private family services were held.

Jan 3, 2020

John Lynn Belisle, age 72, passed away Friday, Jan. 3, 2020.  He was born in Stillwater, Minnesota on February 26, 1947 and grew up in Somerset, Wisconsin. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lynn and Marguerite Belisle and his brother George, of Somerset, WI.

John was foremost a family man. On June 20, 1970 John married Dorie Martell...

Dec 29, 2019

Robert E Hansen, (1928-2019) passed away peacefully at his home Thursday, December 26, 2019 at the age of 91.  Robert was born in Bellingham and remained in the Blaine/Ferndale/Bellingham area for his entire life.  

Robert was the first infant on the west coast to survive surgery for an intestinal disorder. During his teenage years he worked daily alongside his father...

Dec 26, 2019

Dec 22, 2019

Jack S. Beard, age 90, was born in Lynden, Washington Aug. 12, 1929 to Dexter and Goldie (Bellingar) Beard. Jack loved his wife Louise of 58 years; daughters, Anita and Delores and son John; grandsons, Brad and Lindsay Beard, Jon Curtright and Mark Hill; granddaughter, Ashley and Joe Hiatt; son-in-law, Jeff Olivera and his 6 great grandchildren. Jack worked for...

Dec 20, 2019

Tony Flaherty passed away at home on Friday, December 20, 2019, surrounded by his devoted wife, children, and family. Tony was born in Sedro Woolley on December 30, 1969, where he grew up playing with his brother Troy. While attending Sehome High School, Tony played various instruments in the band, his favorite being the drums, and was part of the...

Dec 19, 2019

Connie D. Martinson, age 72, of Bellingham passed away Thursday, December 19, 2019 at her home. 

A graveside service will be held at Woodlawn Cemetery, 5977 Northwest Drive, Ferndale, WA 98248 on Friday, December 27, 2019, 2:00 PM, followed by a memorial service Saturday, December 28, 2019, 11:00 AM at North County Christ the King, 1816 18th Street, Lynden, WA...

Dec 19, 2019

Milbert Lee Price passed away peacefully December 19, 2019 at age 86 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Rachel “Tuckie” Price, his four children Charlie, Ginny (Sherrow), Tom and Susie (Lutton) and their spouses, his 8 grandchildren and his brothers Rob and Dave Roduin. In 2017 he became a great grandparent to Hattie...

Dec 15, 2019

Vernelle Severson Rauch, age 85, was born July 13, 1934, in a farmhouse in Nebraska, 13 years after her next oldest sibling, brother Floyd. She came to Washington with her family, at 2 1/2 years old, when her father lost his farm in the Dust Bowl and the depression. They came to Lynden, Washington as their father drove across Chuckanut...