Archive for September, 2009
Mae Evelyn Johnson
Mae Evelyn (Klubberud) Johnson
Mae Evelyn (Klubberud) Johnson, 88, died on Saturday, 9/26/2009, at her residence in Redmond, WA under the care of her family, caregivers and Group Health Hospice. A gathering of relatives and friends will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, 10/11/2009 at 16304 NE 81st Street, Redmond, WA, following a graveside service for immediate family at the Kirkland City Cemetery, Pastor Diana Bottin presiding.
Arrangements are entrusted to Barton’s Funeral Home, Kirkland, WA.
Mae is preceded in death by her siblings, Oddman, Orville, Geneva (Flaa), Walter, Kenny, and Bea (Johnson); and grandson, Michael Johnson.
Mae is survived by: her four children, Jim (Kay) Johnson (Butte, MT), Steve (Stephanie) Johnson (Kirkland, WA), Vicki Potter (Woodinville, WA), and Diane (Chris Leen) Johnson (Woodinville, WA); seven grandchildren, Christi Daniels, Kim Johnson and Debbie Rafferty (Jim); Eric Johnson and Amy Johnson (Steve); Dan Potter and Nick Potter (Vicki); six great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, and close friends.
Mae was born on May 21, 1921 in Galchutt, ND, to Ole Anders Klubberud and Emma (Flaa) Klubberud. She attended the Galchutt public school system and graduated high school from Abercrombie School, at the age of 16. Mae completed courses in the Business College of the Science School in Breckenridge, MN. She married Harry Johnson on 1/11/1941, helped manage the Johnsons’ farm in Abercrombie, began raising the three oldest children there, and moved to Washington State in 1953, where the fourth child was born; all were raised in Kirkland, WA.
Mae’s favorite vacation destination was the ocean. She loved to crochet, read, and do crossword puzzles, but most of all she loved spending time with her family, all of whom love her dearly. Mae made the best lefse, scramble, Swedish meatballs, and rice mush. She crocheted beautiful afghans, sweaters and booties for every grandchild and great-grandchild, a beautiful bedspread and blouse for her youngest daughter, and afghans for many friends and family members. She has been a loving and special grandmother, role model and mentor, especially to her grandchildren, Dan and Nick.
Mae was an inspiration to all, living her life with grace, and never lost her sense of humor. She had a daily relationship and influence on her family and will be deeply missed. Despite her significant vision and hearing problems over the past few years, Mae consistently remained positive and enjoyed life. Even in her last weeks on earth, she remained calm and at peace, valuing the time spent with her children to the very end.
PSALM 23
A Psalm of David
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.
Romans 8:31-35, 37-39
Life Through the Spirit
What, then, shall we say in reponse to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all — how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died — more than that, who was raised to life — is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all Creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 14: 1-6
Jesus Comforts His Disciples
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going. Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we don’t know where You are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
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John Wozencraft
John M. “Jack” Wozencraft died peacefully on August 31st 2009 at his home in Redmond WA. He was born in Dallas TX on September 30th 1925. Jack was an accomplished scientist, a loving husband, and a dedicated father. He is survived by his wife Fran, their three children John, Colin, and Katie, and two grandchildren.
Jack graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1946 and served in the Army Signal Corps for fourteen years. He later pursued graduate studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he earned his doctoral degree in electrical engineering before joining the faculty. In addition to teaching and research, he authored numerous articles, consulted for the MIT Lincoln Laboratories and the Defense Communications Agency, and was appointed to the President’s Science Advisory Council. He is most recognized for his work in sequential decoding, which enabled the development of modern strategies used by the Internet, cellular phones, and deep-space transmissions. His 1967 book co-authored with Irwin Jacobs, “Principles of Communication Engineering,” was regarded as the definitive text in communications theory for more than twenty years and remains widely used today.
In 1977 Jack joined the faculty at the Naval Post-Graduate School in Monterey CA to found an interdisciplinary program in Command, Control & Communications. He retired fully in 1987. He was awarded emeritus professorships at both MIT and NPS, and in 2006, he was honored with the Alexander Graham Bell Medal by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in recognition of his pioneering work.
Despite these many accomplishments, Jack invariably claimed that the high point of his life was marrying Frances Trask in 1963 during an eclipse of the sun. “We entered the church in the dark,” he wrote, “and came out into sparkling sunlight which has stayed with us ever since.” After his retirement, Jack and Fran moved to Sunriver OR and finally to Redmond WA, where they have enjoyed a warm, welcoming community and the opportunity to be closer to family and grandchildren.
If Jack had a singular passion beyond family and work, it was certainly sailing. He owned several sailboats over the years, and no doubt his thoughts would take him often to the deep blue ocean.
We know that Jack is now sailing steadily and peacefully on calm waters.
Contributions in memory of Jack may be made either to the Sunriver Christian Fellowship (PMB 18160 Cottonwood Rd, Sunriver, OR 97707) or the Redmond Presbyterian Church (10020 166th Ave NE, Redmond, WA 98052.)
Walter Higgins
Walter M. Higgins Jr. passed away September 3, 2009 of Pancreatic cancer. He was born June 27, 1918 in Washington D.C. to Major 
Walter M and Frances Merydith Higgins. Grew up in Rockville, MD and graduated from Columbia Tech Institute in Architectural Design & Drafting. He joined the U. S. Navy December 8, 1941 and served 4 years at the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington D.C. In 1949 he moved to the west coast and through the United Methodist Church was involved in the opening and administration of a new retirement facility, Willamette View Manor, in Portland, Oregon. In 1955 he became the Executive Director of the visionary project to build a retirement community in Southern Oregon. Rogue Valley Manor, Medford, Oregon opened in 1961. In 1970 he joined the staff of Wesley Homes, Des Moines, Washington and retired as their Executive Director in 1986. He and his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Jane Cruickshank, who survives him, have lived in Wesley Homes since 1989.
Walt kept the Des Moines librarians active as a passionate reader, was an avid handyman, boater, Eagle Scout, Rotarian, and member of the American Clan Gregor Society.
His loving and proud family also includes Walter M Higgins III (Jacqueline) Reno NV; Susan Nicol (Scott) Portland OR; Alison Bryant (Stuart Ono) Woodinville WA; Jane Fredricksen (Jim) Mercer Island WA; 9 grandchildren, 9 gr grandchildren. A celebration of his life will be held, Thursday, Sept 10, 2 p.m. at Logan Hall, Wesley Gardens, 815 S. 216th, Des Moines, WA. Memorials may be made to Circle of Concern, Wesley Homes, 815 S. 216th, Des Moines, WA or Hospice Services, Group Health Foundation, 320 Westlake Av N., Suite100, Seattle, WA 98109. Visit an online guestbook at www.bartonfuneral.com.
Pamela Klatt
Pamela E. Klatt passed away at her home in Kenmore, WA on August 31, 2009, after an eighteen month battle with lung cancer.
Pam was born on March 6, 1946 to Robert and Dorothy Klatt, and was goddaughter of Senator Henry M. Jackson. Spending her childhood in Everett WA, Tillamook OR, and Seattle, she attended Cascade and Shoreline High Schools; Shoreline Community College; and University of Washington, majoring in English literature/sociology.
She married Ron Ehlenberger on March 16, 1995 in the Waipio Valley of Hawaii.
Pam had a diverse professional career. In her 20’s she booked rock and roll bands and was a co-owner of Far West Entertainment. Later she was a product manager for the development of communication equipment for the handicapped and other electronic products. In her late 30’s Pam changed direction and began working in the field of environmental planning, by 1991 was the head of the Environmental Sciences Division of Harza Northwest. In 1999, Pam opened the Washington State office of Meridian Management Inc. of Anchorage, AK. In 2001—she founded Meridian Environmental with her friends and colleagues Eileen McLanahan, and George Gilmore. She remained as President of the company until taking leave at the end of June. She was a past Northwest Hydroelectric Association board member.
Pam is survived by her husband, Ron Ehlenberger of Kenmore. Her daughter Kandice Kelly of Seattle. Her brother Rob Klatt and wife Michelle of Renton and her two sisters, Debra Klatt and Erin Klatt and niece Kayla of Perth, Australia; stepmother Anne Griffiths, also of Perth; son-in-law Mark Enebrad and wife Lynn, grandsons Colby and Conner (who always brought joy to her life) of Buckley. Goddaughter Stacey Stanford of Everett.
There are many nephews, nieces, and cousins across the country, including Beverly Lasecki of Waukasha WI, Kathleen Hockmuth of Reno NV, Gary Anderson of Arroyo Grande CA, and Jim Klatt of St. Louis MN.
Pam is preceded in death by her brother Ricky Klatt and her mother and father.
A private celebration of her life with friends and family will be held in early October.
Special thanks to Virginia Mason Clinic for the superior and dignified medical care that helped extend her life and to Providence Hospice of Seattle for the care, support and guidance given to both Pam and her family.
Contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society in her name.
Nobuko Ferree
Nobuko (Ann) Ferree passed away on August 25th after an 8 month battle with cancer at the age of 77.
Born and raised in Yokohama Japan, Ann immigrated to the US when she married MSGT George Ferree in 1957. As the wife of a military man, she had to learn quickly how to stand on her own two feet because he was often deployed elsewhere. It was with her strength, stubbornness and pure determination that made it possible for her to succeed in accomplishing anything she put her mind to.
Ann was known as a spunky old lady who found the joy of “working out” in her retirement years. She even learned how to “swim” at the young age of 74!
There wasn’t a day that she wasn’t attending some sort of exercise class and enjoying the company of her friends at the Columbia Athletic Club. Her one regret was that she never learned to snow ski. However, she did enjoy the Mariners even when they were losing.
A bright spot during her illness, was to know that President Obama was elected as our 43rd president. A change in our history that she felt lucky enough to witness!
She is survived by her three children; Larry Ferree, Cammy Budd and Linda Jones as well as three grandchildren; Bailey Metz, Jaclyn Porad and Jacob Porad.
