WHATCOM COUNTY OBITUARIES RAP - RAT
RAPANICH, Mary K., age 76 of 5920 24th Ave. N.V. Beloved wife of Ivan; mother of Amelia Chicowski, Julia Shea, Bertha Barclay, all of Seattle; sister of Susan Hurley of Seattle, Paul Kukucka, Port Angeles; 5 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren. Rosary will be held Friday, 7:30 p.m. at Wiggen & Sons Chapel. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Sat., Aug 25, (1979) 10 a.m., St. Alphonsus Church. Inbombment, Holyrood Cemetery.
RAPELYEA, Osccar F., LCDR (Retired USN), age 63, died Sept. 17, (1982). He was born May 30, 1919 in Ossining, New York. He served in the U.S. Navy 27 years and taught at the Shoreling Community College for 10 years. He leaves his wife, Clarice Jean Rapelyea of Everett; 2 daughters, Carol Bullen of Issaquah, Marian Ponteus of Idaho; 1 son Fred Rapelyea of Stanwood; 6 grandchildren. Services Tues. 10 a.m. Solie Chapel, Everett. Graveside services will be at Greenacres Memorial Park Tues. at 3 p.m.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 20 Sep 1982) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RAPER, Cecil of Bellingham, WA, passed away November 23, 1997, in Bellingham. He was 79. He was born December 30, 1917, in Goshen, to George H. (of the James M. Raper family who settled in Rome Township in 1884) and Ida May Moors Raper. In 1924, the family moved to Bow in Skagit County where he attended school. He married Ruth Torgeson, his wife of 55 years, in Bellingham on January 17, 1942. Cecil was construction foreman for the Bellingham Shipyard during WWII. He was one of the original founders of United Boat Builders, later known as Uniflite, Inc. He retired from Uniflite as Plant Superintendent in 1973. He enjoyed boating and the family cabin on Eliza Island. He was preceded in death by his brother Burton Moors and sister Irene Raper. Survivors include his wife Ruth; daughter Myrna and husband Dennis Peters; grandchildren Brandi and Lloyd Peters, all of Bellingham; sister Kathryn Severson of Mount Vernon; brother Bob Moors of Bellingham; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 26, 1997, Jones Moles Funeral Home with the Reverend Leonard C. Ericksen officiating.
RAPER, J. Morton, age 67, of 2481 Autumn Lane, passed away in a Los Angeles Hospital Saturday, July 5, (1958). Mr. Raper had resided in Whatcom County his entire life; was a member of the Rome Community Chapel and of the Rome Grange. Survivors include his widow, Kathryn, at home; two sons, Lt. John Roper, of Webb AFB, Big Spring, Tex., and William J. Mathews of Seattle; one grandson; numerous nieces and nephews. The remains rest at the Jones Funeral Home where services will be conducted by Chester Rutledge, Thursday, July 10, at 10 a.m. Final resting place Greenacres.
RAPER, James H. - Funeral service for James H. "Jim" Raper, age 55, of 5443 Mt. Baker Hiway, Deming, will be Monday June 11 at 1 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home with Rev. Leonard C. Ericksen, Central Lutheran Church officiating. Interment Greenacres Memorial Park. Mr. Raper passed away Thurs. June 7, 1984. He was a life resident of Whatcom County, was a life member of the N.R.A., was one of the founders of the Skagit Speedway and was manager for the past 20 years. He is survived by his wife Alida; 2 sons, James Allen Raper of Deming and John W. Raper at home; 1 daughter, Karen Raper of City; 2 brothers, George H. & wife Maxine Raper of Custer, Calvin & wife Beverly Roper of Deming; 1 sister, Carol & husband Elden Metzger of Custer; half-brother Charles Haley of Calif. and 2 half-sisters, Delores Dana of Ferndale & Mary O'Connell of Calif. Arrangements by Jones Funeral Home.
RAPER, Rollie Fay, age 64, of Deming, passed away in a local hospital Wednesday, Dec. 31, (1952). Mr. Raper had been a life resident of this community and had been a well-known logger. Surviving relatives are three sons, James, George and Calvin, all of Deming; one daughter, Mrs. Carol Metzger, of Custer; three grandchildren; one brother, Morton Raper, of Bellingham, and nieces and nephews. The remains rest at the funeral home of Harlow-Hollingsworth, where services will be conducted by the Rev. G. A. Johnson, pastor of the Pentecostal Church at Van Zandt, Monday, Jan. 5, at 10:30 a.m. Final resting place, Bay View. Casketbearers will be C. B. Moors, C. D. Moors, Charles Rodenberger, Charles McWilliams, M. W. Ward, and Donald Hamilton.
RAPLEE, Mabel E. - Services for Mabel E. Raplee, age 847, of 1509 E. victor St., will be Monday March 25, 1 p.m. at Jones Funeral Home with Pastor Martin Wells, Our Saviours Lutheran Church, officiating. Interment Lynden Cemetery, Mrs. Raplee passed away Fri. March 22, 1985. A lifetime resident of Whatcom County, she is survived by 2 sons, Arthur & wife Anna Raplee of City & Paul Raplee of Bremerton; 2 daughters, Betty Anderson & Beverly Craver; 2 daughters-in-law, Violet Raplee & Mary Raplee, all of Seattle; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren. Jones Funeral Home.
RAPLEE, Merrilee Ann, age 66 of Lynden, died at her home following an extended illness on Tuesday, July 6, (2004). Memorial funeral services will be conducted on Sunday, July 11, at 2 p.m. in Faith Community Church with Rev. Tim Johnson officiating. Private interment will be in Lakeside Cemetery. Merrilee was the daughter of Glenn and Emma Rasmussen Sharp and was born in Bellingham on October 2, 1937. She grew up in the Laurel area and graduated from Meridian High School in 1955. On August 26, 1956 she was married to Robert Raplee at the Garden Street Methodist Church in Bellingham. From 1959 to 1962 they lived in Cherry Point, North Carolina where Bob was stationed at the Marine Corp Air Station. Their daughter Rachelle was born in 1960 and then son Rob in 1962. Following their return to the county, Merrilee worked at Sears Roebuck in Bellingham and then in 1968 joined Lynden accountant Ed Nelson. In 1975 she and Anna Gretta Boice formed a partnership and started Boice-Raplee Bookkeeping and Accounting in Lynden which they operated until January of this year when Merrilee was forced to retire due to her battle with Cancer. Merrilee enjoyed cross-country skiing and spent many hours on their boat cruising the San Juan Islands. She was also a member of the Wheel & Keel Club and the Swinomish Yacht Club. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Emma Sharp and is survived by her husband Robert; daughter Rachelle and husband Jay Foster; son Rob and wife Sheri Raplee; grand-daughters Chrey, Dani and Katie; sister Elaine Strelow of Sitka, AK; brother Lore Sharp of Belfair, WA.; brother-in-law Harold Wasel and sister-in-law Geneil Chevalier both of Bellingham and many nieces and nephews whom she all loved.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 8 Jul 2004) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RAPLEE, Robert W., age 55, of 1314 D St., passed away at home Tuesday, June 12, (1956). Mr. Raplee was a retired millworker and a member of the Garden street Methodist Church. Surviving relatives include one son, Robert of Bellingham; two daughters, Mrs. Shirley Waters of Darrington and Mrs. Dolores Markwood of this city; seven grandchildren; two brother, Stanley of Seattle, and Julius of New York city; one sister, Mrs. Katherine B. Burton of Bellingham. The remains rest at the Jones' Harlow-Hollingsworth Funeral Home where services will be conducted by the Rev. Clarence J. Forsberg, Friday, June 15, at 3 p.m. Final resting place Greenacres Memorial Park.
RAPLEE, William Webster, age 63 years, beloved husband of Mrs. Mable Raplee, 1208 Bennett Avenue, passed away at a local hospital, Sunday, December 30, (1945) following an illness of one week. Mr. Raplee was a shipwright and had lived in Bellingham for the past forty-three years. He leaves to survive, beside his widow and a host of friends, two daughters, Mrs. Betty Anderson and Miss Beverly Raplee, both of Bellingham; four sons, Norman in the Air Corps at Stockton, Calif., Johnnie, in the Air Corps at Fort Worth, Texas, Paul and Arthur, both at home; one sister, Mrs. Katherine Burton, of Bellingham; three brothers, Robert and Stanley Raplee, both of Bellingham, and Julius, of Flushing, N.Y.; one grandchild and numerous other relatives. Funeral services will be held at the Bingham-Dahlquist Funeral Home, Wednesday, January 2, at 1:30 p.m., conducted by Rev. James Martyn Wilson. Interment in the Lynden Cemetery.
RAPOZA, Nicole Baudez - A funeral for Nicole Baudez Rapoza of Bellingham will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Jones-Moles Funeral Home with the Rev. Gary Morelli officiating. Burial will be in Bayview Cemetery. Ms. Rapoza of 705 16th St. died Tuesday, Oct. 18, 1994. She was 69. Born April 6, 1925, to Marcel and Marie-Rose Chimier Baudez in Paris, her father was the French consul general in Shanghai, China. She was raised in China until 1938, when the Japanese invaded. She lived in Tunisia and returned to France during World War II. Ms. Rapoza worked as a typist and translator for the American Armed Forces in Paris, where she met her former husband, Fernando Costa Rapoza. They married in 1945 and moved to the United States in 1946. She received a doctorate from the University of California at Berkeley in 1969. She taught French at Western Washington University from 1968 to 1987, She was a classical pianist and enjoyed art, painting, sketching, gardening and traveling. Survivors include her former husband of Lakewood, Calif.; son Frederick Stephen Rapoza of Lakewood; daughters Christine Irene Rapoza of Long Beach, Calif., and Anne Nicole Rapoza of Giatherburg, Md.; brother Jean Baudez of Houssay, France; sisters Dylette Chambris of Paris and Jacqueline Baudez of Montpellier, France; one grandchild; and numerous other relatives.
RAPSON, Lafe Freeman, age 69 years, of 1503 C St., passed away at a local hospital Friday, Sept. 17th, (1954). Mr. Rapson had resided in Bellingham for the past 4 years and had been a resident of the Everson district for 45 years. He is survived by one daughter Mrs. Vera Wick, of Bellingham; 2 brothers Anthony and John Rapson, both of Bad Axe, Michigan; 3 grandchildren; several nieces and nephews including Mrs. Archie Blair of Bellingham and Mrs. Glen Brown of Ferndale. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, Sept. 21st at 2 p.m. from the Gillies Funeral Home in Sumas, with the Rev. Carl O. Muhr of Clearbrook officiating. Interment Nooksack Cemetery.
RARDON, Mable P., age 87, of 409 21st Street, passed away in a local hospital Wednesday, October 28, (1953). Mrs. Rardon had resided in this community for the past 34 years, and was a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church. Surviving relatives include three daughters, Mrs. Erva Rairdon (sic) of Bellingham, Mrs. Irene Goodridge of San Diego, and Mrs. Nellie Thiede, of Rochester, Minnesota; six granddaughter; four grandsons, and seven great-grandchildren. The remains rest at the funeral home of Harlow-Hollingsworth where services will be conducted by the Rev. Harvey H. Larson, Monday, Nov. 2, at 3 p.m. Final resting place, Bay View Cemetery.
RARICK, Amelia Thiel - A native of Denmark, Mrs. Amelia Thiel Rarick passed away at her home at Route 1, Everson, Monday (September 8, 1941) following an illness of six months. She was 66 years of age. Mrs. Rarick arrived in Bellingham in 1902 and made her home there until 1923 when she moved to her home in the Everson district. She was a member of the Pentecostal church. Immediate survivors are the husband, E. W. Rarick and two brothers, Frank E. and Soren Thiel, both of Bellingham. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 2 p.m., at the Gillies funeral home in Lynden with Rev. Lyle Ireland officiating. Interment will occur in the Lakeside cemetery at Clearbrook.
RARICK, Egbert Whitnah, age 85 years, of Rt. 1, Everson, passed away in a local hospital, Sunday, Sept. 1, (1957) following a lingering illness. He had resided in the Everson district the past 57 years. Survived by one sister, Mrs. Robert Kirkman and one brother, William Rarick, all of the Everson district. Several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 2 p.m. from the Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden with Rev. Skaggs officiating. Interment, Lakeside Cemetery at Clearbrook.
RARICK, William Herbert, of Rt. No. 1, Everson passed away in a Bellingham rest home Sunday, October 16, (1960). Mr. Rarick had been a resident of Whatcom County since 1900. Surviving are his wife, Louise; three daughters, Shirley and Luella Rarick, both of Mt. Vernon and Mrs. Estella Allen of Bellingham; one sister, Maude E. Kirkman of Everson; also numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at he Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden Wednesday, October 19, at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in the Lynden Cemetery.
RARICK-POST, Louise Marie, 83, a former Sumas resident passed away at Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon on Thursday, Aug. 15, 1991. She was born on July 14, 1908 in Greene, Iowa to Walter and Mary M. (Meier) Forthun. She lived in Missouri and North Dakota for a time and then in the Sumas area for many years until moving to Camano Island six years ago. On Aug. 17, 1928 in Wenatchee, she was married to William Rarick. He passed away in 1960. On March 23, 1962 she was married to Oscar Post and he passed away in May 1975. Mrs. Post was a former member of the former Sumas Assembly of God Church and a member of the Chapel of Praise Community Church on Camano Island. She is survived by three daughters, Luella Rarick of Camano Island, Stella Allen and husband Russ of Camano Island and Shirley Tollefson and husband John of Mount Vernon; three step-daughters, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by four brothers; Lewis, Edgar, LeRoy and Oscar Forthun. Mrs. Post made many friends over the years while serving in various positions in sales and management and though in-home nursing care assignments. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Monday in the Chapel of Gillies Funeral Home, Lynden with Pastor Jim Kirkpatrick officiating. Burial followed in Lynden Cemetery. Services and arrangements were under the care of Gillies Funeral Home of Lynden.
RASCHICK, Steven John - Graveside services for Steven John Raschick, 21, 1123 Loraine St., Enumclaw, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Washington memorial Park, Enumclaw. Mr. Raschick died Aug. 3, (1986) in an avalanche on Mount Baker. He was born Nov. 13, 1964, in Washington. Local arrangements are by Jones Funeral Home.
RASEECIN, Randy Serge of Ferndale passed away July 31, 2001. He was 18, born June 22, 1983, in Kazakhstan to Kevin and Vera (Savchuk) Raseecin. Survivors include his parents; brothers John, Michael and Richard; and sister Karen. Visitation 4-7 p.m. Sun. Aug. 5 at Jones Moles Funeral Home. Funeral Service at 2 p.m. Mon. Aug. 6 at Bellingham Seventh Day Adventist Church.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 5 Aug 2001) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASEY, Myrtie E., age 83, passed away at her home, 2139 James Street, Saturday,, November 15, (1947). Mrs. Rasey had resided in this community for the past 47 years and was a member of the Church of Truth. Surviving relatives are eight nieces, Mrs. William Molzahn and Mrs. Van Baril, of Bellingham, Mrs. R. E. Gray, of Wickersham, Mrs. W. H. Mortimer, of Abilene, Kan., Mrs. L. E. Higgins, of Pala Verde, Ariz., Mrs. Luella Buchanan, of Sacramento, Calif., Mrs. P. Vasco, of Oakland, Calif., and Mrs. F. Dunkle of Pilot Hill, Calif.; and one nephew, W. A. Garland, of Oroville, Calif. The remains are at the funeral home of Harlow-Hollingsworth, where services will be conducted by the Rev. Margaret Kupfer Tuesday, November 18, at 1:30 p.m. Final resting place, Bay View.
RASKE, Thomas Kent, of 1217 Paradise Way in Ferndale, died suddenly in Bellingham on Monday, December 23, 1991 at the age of 50. Tom was born on July 23, 1941 in Portland, Oregon, a son of Manson and Astrid (Franson) Raske. He graduated from Beaverton Oregon High School in 1959. In Portland on October 6, 1967, he was married to Susan Whiteman and together they came to Whatcom County 14 years ago where Tom was employed by the National Food Corporation as a deliveryman. He was a member of Word of Life Family Church in Lynden and enjoyed fishing and spending time with his family. He will be missed by his loving family of wife Susan of the family home; sons, Thomas E. Raske and wife Heidi of Lynden; John and Timothy Raske of the family home; and daughter Rebekah, also of the family home; his mother Astrid Raske of Beaverton, Oregon; 1 brother, Manson Raske, Jr. of Carlton, Oregon; and numerous other relatives. Funeral services will be held on Saturday December 28 at Word of Life Family Church at 11 a.m. with Pastor Don Ross officiating. Burial will take place on Monday December 30 at 9 a.m. in Woodlawn Cemetery with Pastor Tracy Durham officiating. Services and arrangements are under the care of Gillies Funeral Home of Lynden.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 28 Dec 1991)Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASLER, Margaret Edna, age 62 of 930 Trosper Rd., Olympia, passed away Sunday Feb. 27, (1977) in a local hospital. Mrs. Rasler had been a resident of Olympia for 6 years and previously had resided in Whatcom & Skagit Counties for many years. She was an employee of the Bureau of Labor & Industries Audit Division in Olympia, had attended Everett & Sedro Woolley High Schools. Mt. Vernon Junior College, WWSC, was a member of The Washington State Employees Union and had been a member of the Sedro Woolley American Legion Auxiliary, OES and Rainbow. Survivors include 1 daughter, Barbara DePew of Ferndale, 1 sister, Jean Fellows of Menlo Park, Calif., 2 grandchildren, Daniel DePew and Susan DePew, both of Ferndale. Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. John Solberg, Wed. March 2 at 1:30 p.m. in Moles Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow in Greenacres Memorial Park.
RASMUSSEN, Agnes Clark - Funeral services for Agnes Rasmussen, will be at 1 p.m. on Wed. Nov. 22, (1989) at Westford Funeral Home. Mrs. Rasmussen died Thurs. at St. Joseph Hospital Main Campus. She was born in Seattle in 1906 to Charles & Ora Clark. They moved to Whatcom County in 1911, settling first in the Acme area and later in Geneva. She was a graduate of Whatcom High School, where she met her future husband, the late Dr. C. Wilbur Rasmussen, who she was married to for 60 years at the time of his death in 1984. She and her husband moved to Lummi Island in 1964. While living in Bellingham, Mrs. Rasmussen was active in leadership roles of numerous charitable & fund raiding efforts. In her later years she enthusiastically pursued gardening & fishing. She is survived by her brother, Dick Clark of Bellingham; a daughter, Gayle Taylor or Orinda, CA; a son Clark Rasmussen of San Diego, CA; 6 grandchildren, Ris Southworth of Lummi Island, Rian Taylor, Leigh Taylor, Clark Rasmussen Jr., James Rasmussen and Carl Rasmussen; 4 great grandchildren, Karl, Miya & Eden Southworth & Cayley Rasmussen.
RASMUSSEN, Alda, age 79 died Thurs., June 9, 1988 following a short illness. She was born Alida Gertrude LaValley of parents Irvan & Hellen LaValley in Lorain, Ohio, on June 17, 1908. She was the eldest with two other brothers; Albert LaValley, who has since died, and Eugene LaValley of Lorain, Ohio. Alda married Reider Rasmussen, March 3, 1930 in B'ham. Mr. Rasmussen preceded her in death, Sept. 27, 1962. She was a member of The Women's Music Club, Aftermath Club, Sons of Norway, Theater Organ Concert Society, B'ham Yacht Club, Unity Church, Thursday Study Club, Patron Charter member of the Mt. Baker Theatre Project & lifetime member of the National Health Federation. She is survived by three daughters; Lorella Losa of Oceanside, CA, Sally Bishop & husband Gale of B'ham & Karen Frederick & husband Bill also of B'ham; eight grandchildren & 13 great grandchildren. Memorial services will be held Wed., June 15, 1988 at 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church in B'ham.
RASMUSSEN, Andrew, age 75, a resident with Mr. and Mrs. Jack Scott at 1009 24th St., passed away in a local hospital Saturday, July 15, (1950). Mr. Rasmussen had been a resident of this community for the past 36 years and had been actively engaged in commercial fishing. Deceased introduced Otter Trawling to the Sound area many years ago and was a charter member of the Otter Trawlers Union. Surviving relatives are two step-sons, Leonard Matson of Bellingham and Roland Jacobsen of Pt. Blakely, Washington. The remains rest at the funeral home of Harlow-Hollingsworth, where services will be conducted by the Rev. Clarence Haugen Tuesday, July 18, at 1 p.m. Cremation.
RASMUSSEN, Anita E. - Memorial services for Anita E. Rasmussen, age 70 of 3121 Squalicum Parway, will be Tues. Nov. 12 at 11:30 a.m. at Samish Way Baptist Church with Pastor Jerry Ferrnad officiating. Inurnment Washougal Memorial Cemetery. Mrs. Rasmussen passed away Nov. 8, 1985. She had been a resident of Whatcom Co. for 20 yrs. & was a Charter member of the Samish Way Baptist Church. She is survived by her daughters Patti & husband Tom Walton; & Linda & husband Frank Muench both of B'ham; her son Jerry & wife Linda Rasmussen of Milwaukie, OR; 10 grandchildren & 1 great grandson. Jones Funereal Home & Crematorium.
RASMUSSEN, Arvid L., age 85, of Bellingham, passed away Sun., Dec. 29, 2002, in Bellingham. He was born Oct. 5, 1917, in Whatcom County to Aage and Laura (Skogstrand) Rasmussen and had been a lifetime Whatcom County resident. Survived by his wife of 63 years, Laura daughter-in-law, Jerri Rasmussen three grandchildren, Beth Rasmussen, Renae Bluhm and John Rasmussen six great-grandchildren sister-in-law, Peggy Thon and husband Allan and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by son, Larry in (1993) and infant daughter, Lorene. At his request, no service will be held. Inurnment at Greenacres|Moles Cemetery. Greenacres|Moles Funeral Home Cemetery & Crematorium.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 31 Dec 2002) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASMUSSEN, August William - A service of remembrance for August William Rasmussen of Lynden will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Jerns Funeral Chapel. Private burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery. Mr. Rasmussen died Monday, June 21, 1999, at St. Francis Extended Health Care. He was 83. Born Aug 17, 1915 to Peter and Kjestina Thiessen Rasmussen in Wadena, Minn., the family moved to a farm on Van Buren Road the following year. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and in 1945 married Florence Payne while stationed in England. He worked at Elenbaas Feed Store in Everson, farmed on Lankhaar Road near Lynden and was self-employed as a carpenter. He retired in 1966. Mr. Rasmussen enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and spending time in the coffee shop. A son, Stephen, died in 1988. Survivors include his wife of the family home; son Aylon Rasmussen of Bellingham; daughters Jennifer Salazar and Debbie Brassfield, both of Bellingham, and Theresa Hickey of Lynden; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 23 Jun 1999) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASMUSSEN, Axel B., age 68, passed away Wednesday, June 13, (1951) at the family home in Blaine. Mr. Rasmussen had been a resident of the Blaine community for the past 20 years. Surviving relatives include his wife, Katherine; three sons, Chris, of Route 1, Custer; Hans, Bernard and Robert, all of Blaine and two grandchildren. Services were conducted within the chapel of the McKinney Funeral Home in Blaine Saturday, June 16, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Peter Stroem officiating. Interment in the Haynie Cemetery.
RASMUSSEN, Bernard S. - Retired auto mechanic Bernard S. Rasmussen, 67, of 7786 Portal Way, Custer, died Sunday, March 29, 1992, in a Bellingham nursing home. He was born Sept. 2, 1924 in Spokane to Axel and Catherine Rasmussen. He was a Whatcom County resident for 57 years. Mr. Rasmussen worked as a auto mechanic for many years at Manner Chevrolet and Gordon's Auto Wrecking. His survivors include his daughter Lisa of Montana; and brothers Chris Rasmussen and Hans Rasmussen both of Custer. At Mr. Rasmussen's request, there will be no services. Arrangements and cremation my Moles Funeral Home of Ferndale.
RASMUSSEN, C. Wilbur, Dr., age 77, of 3297 Sunrise Cove, Lummi Island passed away Tuesday, March 20th, (1984). Dr. Rasmussen had been a lifetime resident of Whatcom County & was a retired dentist. He was a life member of the Wash. State Dental Assoc. & a member of Federation Dentaire Internationale. He was a veteran of WWII, where he was a Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Dental Corps. He was deeply involved with Bellingham musical activities a majority of his adult life & was a flutist with the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra for many years. He leaves t survive his wife, Agnes C. of the family home; 1 daughter, Gail Taylor of Orinda, CA; 1 son, Clark of St. Charles, IL; 7 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; & 1 brother, Lloyd of San Gabriel, CA. Private graveside services will be held Fri. March 23 at 2 p.m. at Bay View Cemetery under the direction of the Westford Funeral Home.
RASMUSSEN, Charles William, age 82, of 2303 D Street, passed away in a local hospital, Saturday, November 16, (1946). Mr. Rasmussen had been a resident of this community for the past fifty-one years and was a member of the Garden Street Methodist Church. Surviving relatives are the widow, Christine K., at home; three sons, Dr. Theo J. and Dr. C. Wilbur, of Bellingham, and Lloyd W. of Los Angeles, Calif.; one daughter, Mrs. Edith Bentzen, of Bellingham; four grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Trina Alger, of Tacoma, and many nieces and nephews. The remains are at the funeral home of Harlow-Hollingsworth where funeral services will be conducted by the Revs. Roy L. Smith and O.T. Field, Thursday, November 21, at 1:30 p.m. Interment in Bay View Cemetery.
RASMUSSEN, Christian Bernard "Chris", of Custer, WA, passed away Wed., May 7, 2003 in Bellingham. He was 82, born May 8, 1920 in Stofield, B.C., Canada, to Axel and Catherine (McNeir) Rasmussen. Chris was a resident of Whatcom County for most of his life and served on submarines in the US Navy from 1941 to 1947. Following the service Chris worked for several companies as an auto mechanic, including Manner Chevrolet and in 1960 he opened and operated Chris's V 8 Auto Shop until he retired in 1999. He was a member of the American Legion post 86 and the VFW post 9474, and a charter member of Fire District 13, Custer Station. Chris was preceded in death by a son Danny Rasmussen and three brothers, Hans, Bernard and Robert. He is survived by his wife Ellen whom he married on July 3, 1946 son Ron and wife Jackie Rasmussen of Birch Bay daughter Cheryl and husband Steve Fisher of Custer three grandchildren, Tina, Todd, and Jason and three great grandchildren, Hailey, Sarah, and Haiden and numerous nieces and nephews. A committal service will be held at 1:15 p.m., Tuesday May 13, 2003 at Enterprise Cemetery with military honors by American Legion post 86. A memorial service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Ferndale Moles Funeral Home. Ferndale|Moles Funeral Home & Cremation Service.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 12 May 2003) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASMUSSEN, Christine, age 86, of 2303 S St., passed away in a local hospital, Monday, Dec. 10, (1956). Mrs. Rasmussen had resided in this community for the past 59 years, was a member of the Garden Street Methodist Church, the Mary Circle of Women's Society of Christian Servie, St. Luke's Assistance League, and the Bellingham Music Club. Surviving relatives include three sons, Dr. Theo J. and Dr. C. Wilbur Rasmussen of Bellingham, and Lloyd W. Rasmussen of San Gabriel, Calif., a daughter, Mrs. Edyth P. Bentzen of Bellingham; four grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. The remains rest at the Jones' Harlow-Hollingworth Funeral Home whee services will be conducted by the Rev. Clarence J. Forsbeg and the Rev. Mrs. C. Y. Field, Thursday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. Final resting place, Bay View.
RASMUSSEN, Donald L., 25, 5864 Birch Drive, Ferndale, died Monday (Sept. 14, 1987) in Ferndale. He was born March 31, 1962, in Bellingham and was a lifetime resident of Whatcom County. Mr. Rasmussen had been employed at Moore's Berry Farm for more than 10 years. Survivors include his mother, Mona Rasmussen of Ferndale; a sister, Kathy Lindsay of Bellingham; two brothers, Doug Rasmussen of Ferndale and Bruce A. Rasmussen of Blaine; and a grandmother, Irene McElroy of Blaine. Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Friday in the Moles Funeral Home chapel, with the Rev. Donald E. Walter officiating. Burial will follow at Enterprise Cemetery in Ferndale. Arrangements by Moles Funeral Home.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 17 Sep 1987) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASMUSSEN, Ellen L. passed away peacefully at her home March 30, 2009. Ellen was born on February 6, 1923, in Tacoma, WA. Ellen married Chris Rasmussen on July 3, 1946, in Ferndale. She was a homemaker, and Chris owned Chris's V8 shop, where she helped by doing the bookkeeping for 40 years. They had 3 children, 2 boys and 1 girl. Ellen enjoyed cooking and taking care of her plants inside and out. She was a member of Post 86 Auxiliary in Blaine, VFW Auxiliary, and Fireman Women Auxiliary in Custer. She is preceded in death by her husband, Chris, who passed away in 2003, and her son, Daniel who passed away in 1968. Ellen is survived by her son, Ron, and his wife, Jackie Rasmussen; daughter, Cheryl, and her husband, Steve Fisher; granddaughter, Tina; grandsons, Todd and wife Steffanie, Jason and wife Tiffany; great grandchildren, Sarah, Hailey, Haiden, and Draden; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends. Ellen was a special lady and will be greatly missed. A funeral service will be held on Friday, April 3, at 2:00 p.m. at Moles Funeral Home, 2039 Main St., Ferndale with burial to follow at Enterprise Cemetery. A reception will be held downstairs at the American Legion, 8151 Blaine Road following the graveside service. Moles Family Funeral Home & Crematory – Ferndale.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 2 Apr 2009) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASMUSSEN, Everil, age 85, went to be with her Savior and Lord July 15, 2007. A resident of Christian Health Care Center, she was surrounded by her loving family as she entered her eternal rest. Born in Buffalo, OK on June 17, 1922 to Bryan (L.B.) and Emma (Sumpter) Dickinson she moved with her family to Yakima, WA in June 1935. In 1937, they moved to Lynden where she was a 1940 Lynden High School graduate. She was married to Merl Rasmussen April 14, 1944. Everil was an active member of Word of Life Church; where she served as treasury secretary of the Sunday School and belonged to ladies Alpha Missionary Circle. Musically gifted she also sang in the church choir, the Ladies Trio and played in the church orchestra. Employed at the Lynden Washington Coop; she also was a waitress at Lynden Fairway Café and later baked pies for the café. Everil was preceded in death by her parents, Bryan and Emma Dickinson; sister, Audene Holleman and sister-in-law, Eva Dickinson. She is survived by her loving husband, Merl; daughter, Linda (Dwayne) Rogers; grandchildren, Mackenzie, Hillary and Alexandra all of Lynden and Desiree Roosma and Zack DePoppe; sister, Doris (David) Crabtree; brothers Eryl (Mona) Dickinson, Roland (Caroline) Dickinson all of Lynden and Hersel Dickinson of Mt. Vernon and a host of nieces and nephews. [Burial Greenacres]
RASMUSSEN, Florence J. - A vigil service for Florence J. Rasmussen of Lynden will be held at 7 tonight at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lynden. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Woody McCallister officiating. Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery in Sumas. Mr. Rasmussen died Monday, Nov. 15, 1999, at St. Francis Extended Health Care. She was 83. Mrs. Rasmussen was born July 4, 1916 in London. On June 9, 1945, she married August Rasmussen in England. He died earlier this year. Mrs. Rasmussen was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church of Lynden and Daughters of the British Empire. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting. Her son Stephen Rasmussen preceded her in death. Survivors include daughters Jennifer Salazar and Debbie Brassfield, both of Bellingham, and Theresa Hickey of Lynden; son Gaylon Rasmussen of Bellingham; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many other relatives. Memorials may be made to either the Whatcom county Hospice or St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lynden. Arrangements are by Greenacres Funeral Home.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 18 Nov 1999) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASMUSSEN, Franklin E., age 74, of 2442 Birch Bay Lynden Road, Lynden, died Sunday, October 17, 1993 at his residence. He was born August 31, 1918 in Tekamah, Nebraska. Survived by a son, Bruce Rasmussen of Omaha, Nebraska; three daughters, Rebecca J. Finn, Mary Log, Valorie Jensen, all of Blair, Nebraska; a brother, Leonard Rasmussen of Los Melenos, CA; 12 grandchildren. Services will be held at Westford Funeral Home, 3:30 p.m. Thursday, October 21, 1993 with Chaplin Otto Zylstra officiating. Arrangements by Westford Funeral Home.
RASMUSSEN, Freda C., age 54 years, of 2514 Huron Street, passed away at her home Wednesday, September 14, (1955). Mrs. Rasmussen had resided in Bellingham for the past three years and was a former resident of Lynden. She was a life member of the Baptist Church ad is survived by her husband, Leslie D.; three daughters, Mrs. Carolyn VanderYacht of Lynden, Mrs. Winifred Cooney, Pineville, Ore., Mrs. Pauline High of Condon, Ore.; four grandchildren; three sisters, Mrs. Winifred Vrooman of Riverside, Calif., Hazel Burns of Ogden, Utah, and Myrtle Lemke of Bowman, N.D.; three brothers, Eddie Thrope of Heppner, Ore., William Thorpe in California and Fred Pabst of Riverside Calif. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, Sept. 19 at 2 p.m. from the Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden, with the Rev. Arliss Johnson officiating. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.
RASMUSSEN, Gary Dean, 1 year old, of Bellingham, passed away at home on Saturday, October 3, (1964). He leaves to survive his Mother, Mona R.; 3 brothers, Bruce, Douglas and Donald; 2 sisters, Kathy and Vicky all of the family home; his granparents, Mr. and Mrs. J. D. McElovry, Custer; his great grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. F. Mullikin, also of Custer. Funeral services were held Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Bingham & Jerns Funeral Home, Rev. Willard Buckner officiating. Interment Haynie Cemetery.
RASMUSSEN, Hans A. - Custer resident Hans A. Rasmussen, 71, died after a long illness of Tuesday, Oct. 20, 1992, in Bellingham. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Moles Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Ralph Poulson officiating. Cremation was by Greenacres Crematorium. He was born May 8, 1921, in Canada to Axel and Katherine Rasmussen. They moved to the Blaine-Custer area while he was a young boy. He remained for most of his life. Mr. Rasmussen worked as a "powder man" in the construction industry, setting off explosives. He was known for his love of life and generous nature. Mr. Rasmussen enjoyed the company of his dog,"Friskie." During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific. Mr. Rasmussen was a longtime member of VFW Custer Post No. 9474, Northwest Laborers Local No. 276, and Alaska Loggers Association. Survivors include his wife, Mary Rasmussen of Custer; daughter Carleen Haber of Tulsa, Okla.; son Lonny Jensen of Bellingham; brother Chris Rasmussen of Custer; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Arrangements are by Moles Funeral Home of Ferndale.
RASMUSSEN, Henry F. – A memorial service for Henry "Hank" F. Rasmussen of 4212 Ankar Park Drive will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Greenacres Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Greta Jensen officiating. Mr. Rasmussen died Friday, May 5, 1995 at Alderwood Park Convalescent Center. He was 84. He was born Sept. 1, 1910 in Wadena, Minn., one of four children of Peter and Kjestine Rasmussen. Seven years later, the family moved to a farm on Van Buren Road, north of Everson. A 1929 graduate of Nooksack Valley High School, Mr. Rasmussen married Rena Heathers in Nooksack on June 21 1935. They lived in Nooksack briefly before moving to Lynden, where Mr. Rasmussen worked at the Darigold Inc. plant. In 1943, the family moved to a large dairy farm north of Ferndale. While on the farm, Mr. Rasmussen drove a bus for Ferndale School District for five years and joined several farm organizations. He also was a member of Custer United Methodist Church for 40 years. In 1968, the family moved into a Ferndale home built by Mr. Rasmussen. He then joined the Carpenters union and worked in construction for 11 years. They moved to Cedar Grove Mobile Park near Bellingham in 1978, and moved to Ankar Retirement Park in 1989. They spent much time traveling, mostly by car. Mr. Rasmussen also enjoyed golfing and gardening. Survivors include his wife of Bellingham; sons Myron Rasmussen of Manhattan Beach, Calif., Keith Rasmussen of Plano, Texas, and Wayne Rasmussen of Bellingham; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; brother August Rasmussen of Lynden; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and special friends Cam and Margaret Cocks of Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 7 May 1995) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASMUSSEN, Henry L. - Bellingham resident Henry L. "Hank" Rasmussen died Friday, Jan. 15, 1993. He was 97. Graveside services will be held 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Greenacres Memorial Park with the Rev. Alan Shore officiating. He was born Oct. 14, 1895, in Hazard, Neb., to Creston and Mikklena Rasmussen. A resident of Whatcom County since 1936, Mr. Rasmussen was a member of Lynden Post No. 9301 V.F.W. Mr. Rasmussen was preceded in death by a son, Richard Rasmussen, in 1965. His wife, Ethel, survives at the family home. Arrangements by Greenacres Funeral Home.
RASMUSSEN, Larry A., 52, former Bellingham resident died at his home in LaConner on Monday April 12th, (1993). He was born in 1940 in Bellingham where he was raised and attended school, graduating from B'ham High School in 1958. He moved to Sedro Woolley, working at Skagit Steel for 22 years. Married Jerri Thompson in Oct. 1992 and they lived in LaConner. Survived by wife Jerri, LaConner; 1 son; 2 dau.; 1 step-son; 2 step-daus; his parents, Arvid and Laura Rasmussen of Bellingham and 7 grandchildren. Memorial Services to be held Saturday April 17, 1993 at 1 p.m. at Lemley Chapel, Sedro Woolley.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 15 Apr 1993) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASMUSSEN, Laura S., age 70 years, of 1856 Smith Road, passed away in a local hospital Thursday, Nov. 8, (1956). She had resided in this community for many years. Surviving relatives include two sons, Arvid and Reidar Rasmussen, both of Bellingham; one brother, Ellis Skogstrand of Portland, Ore. The remains rest at the Jones' Harlow-Hollingsworth Funeral Home, where services will be conducted by Dr. Margaret Whitney Kupfer at 1 p.m. Cremation.
RASMUSSEN, Leslie D., age 56 years of 2514 Huron St., Bellingham, passed away suddenly Friday, March 28, (1958), in a Bellingham Hospital. Mr. Rasmussen was an employee of the Puget Sound Power & Light Co. He worked for the Pacific Power & Light Co., and the Puget Sound Power & Light Co. for the past 30 years. He was a member of the BPOE No. 194. He had resided in Bellingham for the past 5 years and was a former resident of Lynden. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Winifred Cooney of San Mateo, California; Mrs. Pauline High of Condon, Oregon; Mrs. Carolyn Vander Yacht of Lynden; 4 grandchildren, Marilyn and Leslie Cooney, Lyle and Lynn Vander Yacht. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, April 1 at 2 p.m. from the Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden with Rev. Floyd Wells officiating. Interment Woodlawn Cemetery.
RASMUSSEN, Leslie Keith, age 9 years, of Lynden, passed away Monday, March 15, (1948) at a Bellingham hospital following a lingering illness. Surviving are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie D. Rasmussen; three sisters, Mrs. Pauline High, Mrs. Winifred G. Cooney, both of Conden, Oregon, and Mrs. Carolyn VanderYacht, of Lynden; one niece and two nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, March 18, at 2 p.m. from the Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden. Interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.
RASMUSSEN, Lulu May "Mazie", formerly of 1423 Hannegan Road, died Wednesday (March 17, 1982) in a Bellingham nursing home at the age of 100. She was born May 1, 1881, in Tiffany, Wisc. She moved to Whatcom County from North Dakota in 1926. She is survived by two sons, four granddaughters, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Her husband, John, died in 1970. Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at Greenacres Memorial Park. Visitation will be until noon Friday at Gillies Funeral Home, Lynden.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 18 Mar 1982) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASMUSSEN, Marius "Mike" formerly of Everson, died Saturday, July 5, (1986) in Seattle. Funeral services were held at the Bonney-Watson Funeral Home in Seattle Thursday, July 10, with burial following Lakeside Cemetery on Pangbborn Road with Rev. Miles Jackson of the Lynden Methodist Church officiating. Mr. Rasmussen was born April 3, 1917, in Wadena, Minn., and moved with his family to a dairy farm north of Everson on the Van Buren Road the following year. He attended the local schools and lived on the family farm until World War II, when he served in the U.S. Army. He married his wife, Annella, on Dec. 26, 1944, in Texas shortly after leaving the service. After the war he and his wife moved to Seattle, where Mr. Rasmussen worked as a longshoreman. He eventually became foreman at the Jones Washington Stevedoring Co., retiring about four years ago. He was an avid hunter. He is survived by his wife Annella; two brothers, Henry of Bellingham and August of Lynden; one sister, Emma sharp of Lynden; and several nieces and nephews.
RASMUSSEN, Martin, age 84 of 1509 E. Victor St., passed away in a local nursing home, Saturday March 7, (1964) following an extended illness. Mr. Rasmussen was a retired miner. He leaves to survive 2 nephews, Christ Christensen of Kent, Wash., Charles Anderson of Seattle. Funeral services will be held Tuesday March 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Chapel of the Westford Funeral Home with Pastor Raymond E. Pflueger officiating. Interment Bay View Cemetery.
RASMUSSEN, Matthew P., age 9 mo., 7603 Kendall Rd., Maple Falls, passed away Thurs. Feb. 28, (1980). Matthew leaves to survive his parents Mr. & Mrs. Peter d. Rasmussen and a sister Molly, all of the family hone; maternal grandmother, Catherine Imperio of City and paternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rasmussen of Coupeville. Services will be conducted Monday, March 3 at 2 o'clock p.m. at Bayview Cemetery with Father Jack Jennings of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Lynden officiating. Under the direction of Westford Funeral Home.
RASMUSSEN, Mona Gayle - A funeral for Mona Gayle Rasmussen of Ferndale will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 28, (1999) at Moles Funeral Home Chapel, 2039 Main St., Ferndale. The Rev. Donald E. Walter will officiate. Burial will follow at Haynie Cemetery. Mrs. Rasmussen died Saturday, Sept. 25, 1999, at St. Francis Convalescence Center. She was 66. Born June 5, 1933, to J.D. and Irene (Mullkin) McElory in Dayton, Texas, she was a waitress in Ferndale for more than 20 years. A member of American Legion Post No. 86, she enjoyed traveling, long car rides and being with family. She was preceded in death by daughter Vicki Unick in 1981, son Don Rasmussen in 1987, grandson Rocky Rasmussen in 1987, and 25-year companion Rick Wilson in 1989. Survivors include daughter Kathy Lindsay of Bellingham sons Bruce Rasmussen and Doug Rasmussen, both of Ferndale sisters Renee Gilbert of Custer and Sharon Pollinger of San Juan Capistrano, Calif. brother Jim McElory of Fullerton, Calif. five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
RASMUSSEN, Reidar Chris, 74, of 222 N. Commercial St., died Monday in Carlsbad, Calif., following a short illness. A lifetime resident of Whatcom County, he was born July 25, 1908, in Bellingham. He had been a diesel representative for Fairbanks-Morse Co. of Beloit, Wisc. He had owned and operated the cannery tender Ajax for Pacific American Fisheries in Alaska. He was a retired member of the machinists union and a member of Metropolitan Club, Bellingham Yacht Club, Sons of Norway and National Health Federation. Survivors include is wife, Alda, three daughters, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a brother, Arvid, of Bellingham. Memorial services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Unity Church of Truth, with the Rev. Eddy Edwards officiating. Arrangements are by Humphrey Mortuary, Chula Vista, Calif.
RASMUSSEN, Rena B. - A memorial service for Rena B. Rasmussen of 4212 Ankar Park Drive will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Greenacres Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Greta Jensen officiating. Mrs. Rasmussen died Tuesday, Jan. 9, 1996, at St. Joseph Hospital. She was 81. Born Jan. 13, 1914 to Sherman and Cora Morgan Heathers in Nooksack, she was a lifelong county resident. She married Henry Rasmussen on June 21, 1935 in Nooksack. They operated a large dairy farm north of Ferndale for many years. In later years, they enjoyed traveling through Canada and the United States. Mrs. Rasmussen was a member of Custer United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1995. Survivors include sons Wayne Rasmussen of Bellingham, Myron Rasmussen of Manhattan Beach, Calif., and Keith Rasmussen of Plano, Texas; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 10 Jan 1996)Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASMUSSEN, Robert, age 54 who resided at 7786 Portal Way, Custer, passed away Thursday, July 15, 1982. He was employed by the city of Blaine; was a commercial fisherman; belonged to the Eagles, Arie 3029; and leaves to survive 3 sons; Bruce Rasmussen, Doug Rasmussen & Don Rasmussen, all of Custer; 1 daughter, Kathryn Lindsay of Bellingham; 3 brothers, Chris Rasmussen; Hans Rasmussen, Barney Rasmussen, all of Custer; 5 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Monday, July 19 at 10:30 a.m. in Jerns McKinney Funeral Chapel, followed by cremation. Visitation hours will be from 4 -6 p.m. Sunday at the chapel.
RASMUSSEN, Rocky Lee, age 4 yrs., of 7969 Lynnwood Dr., Ferndale, passed away in Seattle, July 24, 1987. Born in Bellingham, October 12, 1982, a lifetime resident of Whatcom County. Survivors include his parents, Donald Rasmussen and Cindy and Dale White, all of Ferndale; sister, Roseanna White of Lynden; paternal grandparents, Mona Rasmussen and Rick Wilson, both of Ferndale and Gaylen and Liz White of Williams Lake, B.C.; maternal grandmothers, Louise Boschof Lynden and Carol Butler of Ferndale; paternal great-grandmother, Irene McElroy of Blaine; maternal great-grandmothers, Dorothy Gould of Silverton, Oregon; maternal great-grandparents, Willis and Myrtle White of Custer; aunt, Kathy Lindsay of Bellingham; uncles, Doug Rasmussen of Ferndale, Bruce Rasmussen of Seattle, Keith and Bruce Bosch, both of Custer; numerous other loving aunts, uncles and cousins; a close friend, Cynde Ewing of Custer. Graveside services were held Tuesday, July 28 at 2 p.m. at the Enterprise Cemetery. Memorial services wee held Tuesday, July 28, 3 p.m. at the New Life Fellowship Church, Pole Rd., Lynden with Rev. Ronald Slater officiating. Under the direction of Moles Funeral Home.
(From The Westside Record Journal, July 29, 1987)RASMUSSEN, Stephen G. - A rosary will be recited for former Lynden resident Stephen G. Rasmussen, at 7 p.m. today at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 205 12th St., Lynden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at 11 a.m. Friday at the church, with the Rev. Tim McKenna as celebrant. Burial will be in Lakeside Cemetery. Mr. Rasmussen, 32, of 219 Belmont Ave. E., Seattle, died Tuesday (Jan. 5, 1988) in Seattle of AIDS. He was born Dec. 31, 1951 in Bellingham. He graduated from Lynden High School in 1974 and attended Skagit Valley College before attending Cornish Institute of Fine Arts in Seattle for two years. He was employed as a lab technician at Seattle's Swedish Hospital before moving to New York City about 1983, where he was employed primarily as a character actor. He returned to Seattle in 1987. Mr. Rasmussen was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lynden and previously had been active in the Bellingham Theatre Guild. Survivors include his wife Kala, of Seattle; his parents August and Florence Rasmussen of Lynden; his brother Gaylon of Lynden; three sisters Theresa Hickey of Lynden and Jennifer Salazar and Debbie Rasmussen, both of Bellingham and numerous other relatives. Arrangements are by Gillies Funeral Home.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 7 Jan 1988) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASMUSSEN, Thad Ralph, 2 1/2 year-old son of Mr. nd Mrs. Jack J. Rasmussen of 1110 W. Oregon St., passed away in a local hospital Sunday, April 21, (1957). Thad was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and leaves to survive besides the parents, one sister, Teresa Elaine, at home; grandparents, Mrs. Joseph T. Johnson of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Mrs. P. W. Tuttle of Manti, Utah; numerous uncles, aunts and cousins. The remains rest at the Jones' Harlow-Hollingsworth Funeral Home, where private services will be conducted by Bishop Henry Linde, Thursday, April 25, at 1 p.m. Final resting place, Babyland, Greenacres.
RASMUSSEN, Walter, age 86 of 348 W. Wiser Lake Rd., Ferndale, passed away on Mon. March 10, (1980). A retired farmer, Mr. Rasmussen was born in Denmark and had farmed in Gary, So. Dakota for many years before moving to Canby, Minn. where he had resided for 7 years and then moved to the Lynden area in 1978. A member of St. Josephs Catholic Church in Lynden, he was married to Nellie Brown in Ivanhoe, Minn. on Jan. 2, 1935. He is survived by his wife Nellie; 3 sons, Robert of Ferndale, Eugene of Garland, Utah and Raymond of St. Paul, Minn.; 11 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Christian Prayer services will be conducted on Tues. 7 p.m. in the Chapel of the Gillies Funeral Home. Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Wed. 11 a,n, at St. Josephs Catholic Church in Lynden. Burial will follow in Monumenta Cemetery. Services are under the direction of the Gillies Funeral Home.
RASSAT, Alfred J., age 86 years, passed away at a local hospital, Monday, December 29, (1947) following a brief illness. Mr. Rassat had been a resident of Bellingham for the past eighteen years, and was a member of the Church of the Assumption and the Holy Names Society. He had been living with his daughter, Mrs. Gertrude Fallon, Route 3, Bellingham. Surviving relatives include, besides Mrs. Fallon, a daughter, Mrs. Jean Horst, Bellingham; one son, J. A. Rassat, Seattle; eight grandchildren; three sisters in California; one sister in New Jersey; one brother in Minnesota. The remains rest at the Bingham-Dahlquist & Jerns Funeral Home. Rosary will be said at the Church of the Assumption, Tuesday, December 30, at 7:30 p.m. Requiem high mass will be celebrated for the repose of the soul, Wednesday, December 31, at the church at 9 a.m. with the Rt. Rev. Msgr. J. G. Stafford, celebrant, followed by interment in Greenacres Memorial Park.
RASSET, Kevin -- April 7, 1981 - August 12, 2003 -- Kevin was taken unexpectedly in a traffic accident, early Tuesday morning. Kevin's greatest joy was spending time with his son and best friend, Tommy. Kevin had a very open and loving heart, and was fiercely loyal to those he cared for. He is loved and missed by countless family and friends. he is preceded in death by his favorite Aunt Laura, Uncle Tim, and his cousin Andrew. He is survived by his parents, Kevin and Tresa Rasset and brother John of Custer; his beloved friend Nicolle Keel and their son Tommy of Ferndale; Charles and Carol Jenkins of Birch Bay, Charlie and Mary Jenkins of Lynden, Darrell and Roxana Jenkins of Custer, Terry and Kyung Rasset of California, Kelly and Anita Rasset of Bellingham, Glen and Robin Taketa of Bellingham, Danny Rasset of Edmonds, Diane Rasset of Bismarck, ND, Kathy Rasset of North Dakota and numerous other family members and friends. A memorial service will be held Friday, August 15, 2003 at 2 p.m. in Greenacres|Moles Funeral Home chapel in Ferndale.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 14 Aug 2003) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RASTALL, Morton, age 79, of Johnson City, Tenn., identical twin brother of Thornton Rastall, 902 Judson St., Lynden, died Saturday, July 27, (1985) of a heart attack. Mr. Rastall had been ill for several months. Survivors include: his wife, Ruby; two sons, Ted and wife Emma of Johnson city, and Randy and wife Rita of Spokane; one sister, Florence Rastall of Toledo, Ohio; Thornton of Lynden; and four grandchildren. His parents and one brother preceded him in death. Funeral services were conducted in Johnson City, Tenn.
(From The Lynden Tribune, August 7, 1985)RASTALL, Thornton H., age 81, of 902 Judson St., Lynden, passed away Wed., June 10th, (1987) in Bellingham. Born Dec. 17, 1905 in Bellevue, Ohio, Mr. Rastall had been a resident of Lynden since 1972, was a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lynden, was a retired haberdasher and was recognized for his original store & window displays and several publications. He is survived by his wife, Mildred of the family home; 1 daughter, Marilyn & husband Lon Osmon of Vancouver, B.C.; 5 grandchildren, Dan & wife Linda of Oregon, Michael, Scott, James & wife Susan, all of Vancouver, B.C., Becky of Michigan; 6 great-grandchildren; sister, Florence Rastall & sister-in-law Ruth Parlow, both of Ohio. Mass of Christian burial will be held Sat., June 13th, 10 a.m., St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lynden with the Father Timothy McKinna as celebrant. Interment will be at the Lynden Cemetery. Under the direction of Jerns & LeVeck Funeral Chapel.
RATAYCZAK, Eugene J., age 68 of Bellingham, WA, died May 9, 1998, at his residence. He was born August 7, 1929 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to William and Helen (MacDonald) Ratayczak. He is a graduate of WCC with his AA degree. Eugene married Patricia LaForest January 28, 1967 in Grand Falls, New Brunswick, Canada. Mr. Ratayczak served in the U.S. Air Force where he was Inventory Management Specialist retiring in 1973. He was owner of Ratayczak Day Care, managed a motor route dealership for the Bellingham Herald and worked at Starvin' Sam's in Ferndale. He was an avid bowler, card player, enjoyed Bingo and Cribbage and was member of the American Bowling Assoc. Mr. Ratayczak is survived by his loving wife, Patricia Ratayczak of the family home; sons, Michael Ratayczak, George Ratayczak and wife Angie, Daniel Ratayczak all of Bellingham; daughters, Robin and husband Michael Harris of Spokane, Janice Hurner of Salem, OR; brothers, Bill Ratayczak, Lawrence Ratayczak, Arthur Ratayczak, all of Milwaukee, WI; sisters, Marie Reimer, Delores O'Brien, Sara O'Brien, Rose Knapp, Elise Rapp, all of Milwaukee, WI; six grandchildren. Funeral Mass will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, May 14, 1998 at Church of the Assumption. Arrangements by Westford Funeral Home.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 13 May 1998) Submitted by Merrily Lawson,RATCLIFF, Ethel Lee, age 70, of Chestertown, Maryland, passed away Friday, July 23, 1977. Survivors are her husband, Herbert Ratcliff Sr.; 3 sons, Artemis Ward of Bellingham, Herbert Jr. a Chesterown, MD & James of Pasadena, MD; 4 daughters, Arbutus Burgess, Glen Burnie of MD., Edith Sneak of Churchill, MD. & Darline Deets of Ferndale, MD.; 23 grandchildren & 16 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wed., July 27 at McCullah Funeral Home in Pasadena, Maryland.
RATE, John E., aged 87, of 2424 Pacific St., passed away at the family home Saturday, November 1, (1958) following a short illness. Mr. Rate had resided in Bellingham for the past 40 years and was retired from the Great Northern Railroad. He leaves to survive one daughter, Mrs. Emogene Blakesley of Palm Springs, California; three stepsons, Ray Olin, city; Oscar Olin of Lynden, and Vernon Olin of Blaine; three step-daughters, Mrs. Fay Duling of Deming, Mrs. Ruth Sutherland of Seattle and Mrs. Melba Crock of Juneau, Alaska, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; two brothers, Frank Rate of Lost Cabin, Wyoming and Charles Rate of Schoshone, Wyoming. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, November 4 at 3:00 p.m. from the Chapel of the Westford Funeral Home with the Rev. W. Robert Webb officiating. Interment in Greenacres Memorial Park.
RATE, Sarah Edith, age 85 years, of 1026 21st Street, passed away in a local hospital Friday, November 30, (1951) following a short illness. Mrs. Rate had been a resident of this county for the past 41 year and was a member of the Rebekah Bellingham Lodge No. 43. She is survived by her husband, John E.; three sons, Ray Olin, of Bellingham, Oscar Olin, of Lynden, and Vernon R. Olin, of Blaine; three daughters, Mrs. Fay Duling, of Deming, Mrs. Ruth Sutherland of Seattle, and Mrs. Melba Goodwin, of Juneau, Alaska; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; one brother and two sisters in Iowa; many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, December 3, at 1 p.m. within the Cathedral Chapel of the Westford-Beck Funeral Home with the Rev. A. O. Quall, of Arlington, officiating. Interment, Greenacres Memorial Park.
RATH, Edith Eileen, age 85, of 700 32nd Street, Bellingham, passed away Wednesday, April 22, 1992. Born September 24, 1906 to R.S. and Johanna Egbert, she was a lifetime resident of Bellingham; retired Registered Nurse, married Caster "Don" Rath, November 16, 1941 in Bellingham; member of Immanuel Bible Church. Survived by her husband, Caster "Don" Rath; three sisters-in-law, Opal Egbert of Washington, D.C., Wiona (sic) Rath of Bellingham, Faith Ness of Renton, WA; many nieces and nephews. Memorial service Saturday April 25, 1992, 11:00 a.m. Immanuel Bible Church, 2000 West North, Bellingham. Private burial in Bayview Cemetery Jones-Moles Funeral Home.
RATH, Elizabeth K., age 90 of 218 N. Forest passed away Friday, March 26, (1976). A resident of this community for the past 86 years, Mrs. Rath had been a former treasurer of Sehome Chapter No. 17, OES and a member of the Order of Amaranth, Zenobia Club and Daughters of Nile. She is survived by 1 sister, Mrs. Emma Koenig of Seattle; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Gene Spenger of Bellingham; numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held by Rev. Jim Hardenbrook, Tuesday, March 30, 1 p.m. at the Jones Funeral Home. Cremation.
RATH, Winona Edmear Adoline, formerly of Bellingham, WA passed Friday, June 28, 2002, in Arlington, WA. She was 93. Born February 11, 1909, to Jacob C. and Agnes Smith Rath in Winlock, WA, she attended public school in Winlock and graduated from Northwest Training School in Seattle. Miss Rath worked as a cook in a Christian children's home in Bethany, KY for two years. She moved to Cedar Court Assisted Living in Warm Beach, WA in September 2000. She was a member of Light & Life Christian Fellowship, the Northwest Washington Holiness Association and the Washington State Auxiliary of World Gospel Mission. Survivors include nephews Philip H. Ness and Stephen James Ness, nieces Elisabeth A. Weeks and Edith N. Hilliard. A memorial service for Miss Winona will be at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2002 at Light & Life Christian Fellowship Church. Jones|Moles Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 7 Jul 2002) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RATHBONE, Elizabeth Jane, age 83 years of Route 1, Ferndale, passed away in a local hospital Sunday, July 10, (1955) following a lingering illness. She had resided in the Lynden District for the past 49 years and is survived by two sons, Floyd W., and Clyde P., both of Route 1, Ferndale; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, July 13 at 2 p.m. from the Gillies Home in Lynden, with the Rev. Floyd Wells officiating. Interment in Lynden Cemetery.
RATHBONE, Floyd W., age 85, of 134 E. Grover St., died on Tuesday, Dec. 10, (1985). A lifetime resident of Whatcom County, Mr. Rathbone was a member of the Lynden United Methodist Church. After retiring from his dairy farm he was active in the Harness Racing Association. He is survived by two sons, David and wife Libbie Ann of Salem, Ore. and Bill and wife Joyce of Moses Lake; two daughters, Adele Rathbone of Seattle and Elaine and husband Les Knudsen of Lynden; 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margery, and brother Clyde of Ferndale. Graveside services were held on Saturday, Dec. 14 at Lynden Cemetery. Memorial services were held at 2 p.m. at the United Methodist Church. Services under the direction of Greenacres.
(From The Lynden Tribune, Dec. 18, 1985)RATHBONE, George, age 77 years, of Ferndale, Route No. 1, passed away at his home Monday, May 31, (1948) following a lingering illness. He had resided in the Lynden district for the past 42 years and is survived by his wife Elizabeth; 2 sons, Floyd and Clyde, both of Ferndale, Route 1; also 4 grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, June 5, at 2 p.m. from the Gillies Funeral Home in Lynden with the Rev. Paul R. Campbell officiating. Interment, Lynden cemetery.
RATHBONE, Libby Ann, age 60, Salem, Ore., passed away Sunday, Jan. 31, 1988 in Salem, Ore. She was born in Bellingham and graduated from Bellingham High School. She married David Rathbone in 1947 and went to Salem in 1962, where she was teaching at the Kennedy Elementary school at the time of her death. Memorial services were Friday, Feb. 5, in the Virgil T. Golden Chapel in Salem, Ore. She is survived by her husband, David; one daughter, Pamela MacRae of Reedsport, Ore.; three sons, David W. and Jay K. of Salem, Ore., and Scott of Portland, Ore.; and four grandchildren.
(From The Lynden Tribune, Feb. 2, 1988)RATHBONE, Margery A. - Funeral services for Mrs. Margery A. Rathbone age 80, formerly of 8341 Double Ditch Rd., Lynden, were conducted on Tuesday, April 16, at 10 a.m. in the Lynden United Methodist Church with Rev. Thomas Carlson officiating. Burial followed in Lynden Cemetery. Mrs. Rathbone, who died in a Bellingham hospital on Saturday, April 13, (1985) was born in Ellsworth, Mich., on Sept. 5, 1904, and came to the Lynden area in 1909. She was a member of the Lynden United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women and the Cardinal Rebecca Lodge in Custer. On August 19, 1924, she was married to her husband, Floyd, in New Westminster, B.C. She is survived by her husband, Floyd; two daughters, Mrs. Elaine and husband Les Knudsen of Bellingham and Adele Rathbone of Seattle; two sons, David and wife Libbie of Salem, Ore., and Bill and wife Joyce of Moses Lake; ten grand- and six great-grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. Jessica and husband Tom Young of Lynden; a brother, Don deLine and wife Josie of Lynden; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were under the direction of Gillies Funeral Home, Lynden.
(From The Lynden Tribune, April 17, 1985)RATHBUN, Grace May - Retired homemaker Grace May Rathbun, 95, formerly of Everson, died April 30, 1991, at an Auburn nursing home. Graveside services wee held May 4 at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, Seattle. She was born Grace May Little on Aug. 20, 1895 in Seattle. She and her late husband, Ford Rathbun lived at 6190 Lawrence Road from 1941 to 1975. After that she lived in the Auburn-Federal way area. She was a member of the Everson Senior Activity Center. Survivors include two daughters, Ileene Harvey of Auburn and Jean Kartman of Arizona; a brother, Leonard Little of Seattle; a sister, Mernie Johnson of Seattle; 13 grandchildren 26 great-grandchildren and a great-great-granddaughter.
(From The Lynden Tribune, may 15, 1991)RATHJEN, Chris, 19, 4796 Noon Road, Bellingham,, died Sunday (Aug. 3, 1986). He was born March 13, 1967, in Bellingham, and worked as a flagger in road construction. Survivors include his mother Diane and step-father Glenn Knittel of the family home; his father, Dennis C. Rathjen of Petersburg, Alaska; two grandmothers, Wilma Hoyer of the family home, and Christy Rathjen of Bellingham; two brothers, Dennis Rathjen of Forks and Troy Lee Rathjen of the family home; two sisters, Eyvonne Williamson of Fairbanks, Alaska, and Dixie Rathjen of Bellingham; step-grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Knittel of Nooksack; and numerous aunts and uncles. Arrangements are by Jones Funeral Home.
RATHJEN, John A., age 49, of Route 3, Box 301, Bellingham, lost his life as the result of an accident Tuesday, December 29, (1953). Mr. Rathjen had resided in this community for the past 12 years, and was employed in the Bellingham Coal Mines. He was a member of the Immanuel Lutheran Church. Surviving relatives include his wife, Mrs. Katherine Rathjen; two sons, Richard and Phillip; two daughters, Misses Irene and Barbara, all at the family home; six brothers, William, Henry, Eugene and Edwin, all of Yakima, Carl of Darrington and Rudolph of Bremerton; five sisters, Mrs. Bertha Kruger and Mrs. Ida Vetsch, both of Yakima, Mrs. Emma Bernier of Benton City, Mrs. Jeannie French of Tacoma, and Mrs. Rosella Ronk of Bellingham, and his mother, Mrs. John Werre of Yakima. The remains rest at the funeral Home of Harlow-Hollingsworth where services will be conducted Thursday, December 31, at 10:30 a.m. Final resting place, Woodlawn Cemetery.
RATHJEN, Trevor R., 23, 4796 Noon Road, died Monday (Oct. 19, 1987) in Bellingham. He was born Sept. 3, 1964, in Bellingham and was a lifetime resident of Whatcom County. Survivors include his parents, Rodney A. Rathjen of Bellingham and Linda M. Martin of Brewster; one brother, Tim Rathjen of Lynden; one sister, Aleceia Rathjen of Seattle; two grandfathers, Jesse Martin and Einar Tomtan of Bellingham; a grandmother, Christy Rathjen of Bellingham; and numerous other relatives. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. today at Greenacres Memorial Park, with the Rev. Harold Minkler, St. Lukes General Hospital chaplain, officiating. Arrangements are by Jones Funeral Home.
(From The Bellingham Herald, 22 Oct 1987) Submitted by Merrily Lawson.RATHMAN, Charlotte M. - At her request graveside service in Greenacres Mausoleum for Charlotte M. Rathman, age 83 formerly of 409 York St., will be Mon. Feb. 1, 1 p.m. with Rev. Richard D. Talley officiating. Cremation. Mrs. Rathman passed away wed. Jan. 27, 1982. A resident of this community since 1901 she was a member of First Christian Church; widow of Arno E. Rathman and survived by 2 daughters, Beverly & husband Tom Bell of Bellingham, and Miss A. I. Rathman of Bellingham; 2 grandchildren, Victor Touriel and Sheri Davis; 1 great-granddaughter Stacey Touriel, all of Los Angeles; 1 brother, Glenn Hubbard of Antioch, Calif.; 1 sister, Barbara Liming of City; numerous nieces & nephews. Jones Funeral Home.
RATHMAN, Ervin Leonard "Sam" 84, former owner of Rathman's Shoe Store, died Nov. 30, (1982) in Felton, Calif. He was born Jan. 18, 1898 in Lynden. He lived in Whatcom County until his retirement, when he moved to California. He started his shoe business in Bellingham in 1926. He also was an accomplished violinist and was well known as the leader of a local dance orchestra. He was a veteran of World War I and a member of the VFW. He was a charter member of Bellingham Golf and Country Club, and a member of the Bellingham Elks and Masonic lodges. He also belonged to the local businessmen's association. Survivors include his wife, Ellen, a daughter, two grandchildren, a great-grandchild, a sister and numerous nieces and nephews. Cremation was held in California under the direction of Chapel of Seaside, Seaside, Calif.
RATHVON, Rosie, age 79, longtime Concrete area resident, died Feb. 14, 1980. Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Mon. at the Lemley Chapel, Sedro Woolley. Followed by interment at the Hamilton Cemetery. Survived by 3 daughters, Ethel West of Redmond, Violet Aiken of Sedro Woolley, and Dorothy Hughes of Ferndale, 6 sons, Mark Rathvon of Sedro Woolley, John and Glen of Burlington, Roy of Arlington, Howard of Dallas, Texas and Richard of Port Angeles. 4 sisters, 4 brothers, 10 grandchildren.
RATKO, Anna, age 90, of Glacier Star Route, passed away at the family home, Tuesday, Sept. 26, following an extended illness. Mrs. Ratko had been a resident of Whatcom County for the past nine years and was a former resident of Tacoma. She was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church of Columbia Valley. She leaves to survive four daughters, Mrs. Anna Brennan, and Mrs. Lucille Spuck, both of Chicago, Mrs. Julia Eres of Butte, Mont., Mrs. Vernon Weber of Glacier Star Route; 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren. Rosary will be said Thursday, Sept. 28, at 8 p.m. in the Chapel of the Westford Funeral Home. Requiem mass will be offered Friday, Sept. 29, at 9 a.m. at St. Peter's Catholic Church. Interment Columbia valley Catholic Cemetery.
RATZLOFF, Clifford Wayne, age 17, of Route 1, Custer, passed away suddenly Sunday, August 16, (1964). Clifford was a high school student. He had resided here for a period of 5 weeks after moving from Kansas, and was a member Warden Mennonite Church, Warden, Wash. Surviving are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Ratzloff; 1 sister, Mrs. George Salisbury of Indiana, his grandfather, William Ratzloff in Kansas; also, many other relatives. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, August 20 at the Mennonite Church in rural Ferndale. Rev. John P. Suderman officiating. Burial will follow at Enterprise Cemetery under the direction of Bingham & Jerns Funeral Home.
Back to Whatcom GenWeb Home Page