Obituaries

Dec 4, 2018

Joan Ilene (Barnhardt) Strotz, age 83, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2018.

She was born April 28, 1935 in Bellingham, to Merle and Ione Barnhardt. Joan was a 1953 graduate of Ferndale High School and on August 6, 1954 was married to Bert Strotz whom she met at the Friday night dances at Rome Grange. Together, they raised three...

Dec 1, 2018

Marlene M. Waters Dukes, age 70, of Bellingham passed away at her home Saturday, December 1, 2018.  She is survived by her husband Jack; son, Matthew; her daughter Lynette and numerous other relatives and friends. A celebration of her life will be held 1:00 PM, Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018 at Whatcom New Life Assembly, 2290 Main St., Ferndale, WA 98248...

Nov 28, 2018

Nov 24, 2018

Robert “Bobby Lee” McMurray, 72, of Maple Falls, was freed from his painful battle with cancer on Nov. 24, 2018. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.  He was born Sep. 5, 1946 to Sofia and Benjamin McMurray in Cebu City, Philippines. He came to the U.S. in 1965, joined the Navy, and did two tours in...

Nov 22, 2018

Donald Eugene Houtchens, age 69, of Bellingham passed away at his home Thursday November 22, 2018.  He was born June 10, 1949 in Oakland, California to parents Hershel Newton and Rose Marie (Andrus) Houtchens. Don graduated from Kelso High School in Kelso, Washington and received his Bachelor's degree from Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington. He worked in the Oil Refinery...

Nov 19, 2018

Doris Lenore Yost entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Monday, November 19, 2018.  She was born November 16, 1931 in Billings, Montana to Dan and Martha Walter.  There she grew up and on June 25, 1950, she married the love of her life, Louis Yost, also of Billings.  She joyously served beside her husband as a...

Nov 17, 2018

Longtime Bellingham resident Richard “Dick” Nolan passed away peacefully Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018 in Bellingham. He was born in Tacoma, Washington on Oct. 6, 1925.  Growing up he enjoyed playing the saxophone in different bands.  He graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma and also graduated from the University of Washington.  He met and married the love of his life...

Nov 15, 2018

Frances Marion (Colby) Forhan, age 95, a lifetime resident of Bellingham, WA, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2018 surrounded by her family.  She is survived by her sons, Doug (Cara) Forhan and Craig (Tammy) Forhan, and grandchildren Andrew, Matthew, Samantha and Alex Forhan. She is also survived by her sisters, Mary Lou (Joe) Orluske and Charlene (Bernie) Dorcy, and...

Nov 12, 2018

Jon Donnellan was born June 5, 1940, in Olean, NY, second-to-last of 9 children born to Frank and Esther Donnellan.  He moved to Ferndale with his family in 1955 and attended Ferndale High and Western WA University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in science and elementary education.  He and Joanne met at Western and were married August 24,...

Nov 9, 2018

Charles "Charlie” Millsap died peacefully in the Whatcom Hospice House on November 9th, 2018 in Bellingham, WA at the age of 68. After courageously fighting and beating cancer 14 years ago, the disease recently returned and overtook him.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 42 years, Chris; children, Branden (Lori) Millsap of Blaine, WA, Chuck (Kara) Millsap of Renton,...

Nov 9, 2018

Alan Anthony Frye, 69, of Deming, WA, fought a strong fight against kidney cancer and took his final breath at home surrounded by family on November 9th, 2018. Al is survived by his wife Cassy of 39 years, his daughters: Heidi, Donni, Kellie, Allison and his son Marshall, and many loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family. Al...

Nov 5, 2018

Judith G. “Loop” Tyson, age 78, of Bellingham passed away in Bellingham at Shuksan Healthcare Center Monday, Nov. 5, 2018.  She was born April 5, 1940 in Bellingham to parents George C. and Edna Mae (Van Syckle) Loop.  

Nov 4, 2018

Mary Gudrun Freeman passed away peacefully on November 4, 2018 at the age of 95. Mary was born July 4, 1923 in Akra, North Dakota to Elin and Skapti Olason, one of nine children.  She helped on the family farm from picking potatoes to sewing dresses.  When Mary was 25, she moved to Seattle, then to Blaine, where Mary worked...

Nov 2, 2018

Dennis L. Nieuwendorp (Denny), born July 6, 1951 in Bellingham, Washington, passed on Friday, November 2, 2018. Grew up in Lynden with his brothers, Mark and Steve, and raised by his caring parents, Denny enjoyed a carefree childhood going to church on Sundays and attending Lynden High School, After his days of youth, he continued to grow and later attended...

Oct 29, 2018

Todd A. Rasmussen, age 44, went home to be with his Heavenly Father Monday, October 29, 2018 after years of enduring Huntington’s Disease.  He was born July 3, 1974 to parents Gerald L. and Linda Sue (Lacey) Rasmussen.  He was preceded in death by his mother, brothers John and Rich Rasmussen who all had the same disease, his aunt Pattie...

Oct 27, 2018

Elden E. Balzer, 90, of Bellingham formerly of Ferndale passed away peacefully at the Silverado of Bellingham, Saturday Oct. 27, 2018. A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM, Saturday, Nov. 3, 2018 At Birch Bay Bible Community Church, 4460 Bay Rd., Blaine, WA 98230 with Pastor Tim Thiessen officiating.  

Oct 25, 2018

Sandra Lynn (Jacoby) McManus passed away at her home in Acme at the age of 77 after battling cancer and the after-effects. Sandy was born Jan. 14, 1941 at St. Luke's Hospital in Bellingham.  She grew up in Acme and graduated from Mt. Baker High School with the class of 1959, and attended Skagit Valley Jr. College. In 1961, Sandy made the bold decision...

Oct 23, 2018

Opal Irene Wilson, age 92, of Bellingham passed away in Bellingham, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 2018.

A graveside service will be held at Bayview Cemetery. Please call Sig’s funeral & Cremation Services for date and time of service.

 Family suggests memorial contributions be made in Opal’s name to Seattle Children’s Hospital, 4800 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98105.

Oct 21, 2018

Gary August Larson, age 72, formerly of Ferndale, passed away peacefully Sunday, October 21, 2018 in Snohomish, WA. Gary was born on November 24, 1945in Bellingham to Herbert August and Jean (Kroontje) Larson. His younger years were spent farming and raising horses on the family farm. After graduating from Ferndale High School, he built custom homes throughout Whatcom County and...

Oct 18, 2018

Paule Kelly was born on February 5, 1925 in New York City and grew up in Stamford, CT, the only child of Harold W. and Marjorie (Booth) Browne.  This idyllic location provided her with unfettered access to the beauty of Long Island Sound as well as the opportunity for adventures with her father on the local pond and throughout the...