Philip Kliavkoff

Philip G.
Kliavkoff

Born: July 12, 1924
Died: March 21, 2010

It is with great sadness that we must inform you of the passing of Philip G. Kliavkoff on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Briarwood Health Center in Issaquah, WA.  We are happy to inform you that his final days were peaceful, he suffered no pain. Over the last number of years he has battled Alzheimer’s. All of us, his wife Susan, daughter Maria, son George, daughter-in-law Ellen, and grandchildren Delaney and Henry wish to thank you for your friendship and support.

Philip was born on July 12, 1924 in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. He was the youngest of three brothers. He attended military academy and was sent directly into battle during World War II. He performed with distinction fighting the Nazis on the Hungarian front. He fought bravely, was twice wounded and was a highly decorated officer of the Bulgarian Army. He refused to support the Soviet dominated new regime and escaped in 1950 to Greece. He lived eight years in Brazil, a country he loved, before joining his brother Dimiter in New York. There he met and married Susan, his wife of more than 48 years. Together they had two children, Maria and George. In 2003 he moved with his wife to Seattle, WA where he spent the remainder of his years.

Philip was a highly principled, loyal man of ideals. Family, friends and duty were his driving force. He loved tennis, soccer, history, nature, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.  He was well informed and politically astute before the reality of Alzheimer’s claimed his ability to concentrate and follow his passions.  Above all he loved playing chess and backgammon; he was an accomplished player winning many trophies.  He played long into his time in the nursing home.  He was not religious, believing instead that a man must rely on his own inner strength and character.

There will be a Celebration of His Life held on Saturday, April 10 at 11:00 AM in the Clubhouse of Providence Point, 4265 224th Court SE, Issaquah, WA 98029.  His ashes will be returned to Bulgaria where they will be received by his nephew, Georgi Klyavkov. We are planning a burial in his home town of Plovdiv on Friday, May 21st.

In lieu of flowers we ask that you make donations to the International Rescue Committee at www.theirc.org.

Verna Roberts

Verna Olga Bosse Roberts, born March 8, 1914 in Gardena, North Dakota, the eleventh child, to Carl and Emma Bosse, passed on March 22, 2010.  Verna’s family moved to Snohomish County in 1920.  She attended Zion Lutheran School, in Snohomish and was confirmed at Zion Lutheran in 1929.  She graduated from Snohomish High School in 1934.  Verna married Ernest M. Roberts on February 11th, 1949, with brother Bill and sister in law Hattie as witnesses.  She had two stepsons: Bill and Don.  She worked for Pacific Northwest Bell, retiring in the late sixties after 33 years of service.  She was preceded in death by her husband Ernie, brothers William, Bernard, Robert, Amos, Fred, Herman and Walt and sisters, Lenora, Martha, Gertrude, Florence and Myrtle.  She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.  Family graveside services will be at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Snohomish, WA, with a reception following at Zion Lutheran Church, date and time to be announced.  Donations in memory of Verna can be made to Zion Lutheran Church, 4th & Avenue A, Snohomish, WA 98290, (360) 568-2700 or the charity of your choice.
Verna will be remembered mostly by her kind nature, independent and feisty spirit exhibited by driving well into her 95th year.  Verna, like the rest of her family, loved a good game of pinochle, a hearty breakfast and a cup of coffee any time of day.  Verna’s 96th birthday was recently celebrated at her favorite breakfast spot, Strickers Café in Lynnwood, Washington, with family and friends.  Thank you to the Strickers staff for having her breakfast on the table before she could sit down and pouring a bottomless cup of coffee.  Special thanks to the staff of Richmond Beach Rehab in Shoreline, Washington where Verna resided the last few months of her life.