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Home - Archives - 2003 Memorials
Memorials For Lodge Year 2003
(second saturday in December 2002 to the Second Saturday in December 2003)
Solemn strikes the fun'ral chime!
Notes of our departing time,
As we journey here below,
On a pilgrimage of woe.
Brothers, now indulge a tear,
For Mortality is here!
See how wide her trophies wave,
O'er the slumbers of the grave. |
Here another guest we bring,
Seraphs of celestial wing,
To our fun'ral altar come,
Waft a Friend and Brother home.
Lord of all, below, above,
Fill our hearts with Truth and Love.
As dissolves our earthly tie,
Take us to Thy Lodge on High.
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Arthur F. Prentice --- 9/10/12 - 12/12/02
Arthur "Art" F. Prentice of Port Orchard, died peacefully at home on Dec. 12, 2002. He was born September 10, 1912 in Seattle, WA to Frank and Mary Prentice. He graduated from Broadway High School and Edison Vocational School in Seattle. His career in the Electrical Industry began at Snoqualmie Falls and Shuffleton Power Plants. A long time resident of the Wenatchee Washington area, he worked for Chelan County Public Utility District for 37 years, which included Superintendent of Rock Island Hydro Dam from 1959 to 1977.
Bro. Prentice was a past president of the East Wenatchee Rotary Club, member of William H. Jett Lodge No. 285 and St. John's Lodge No. 9. He was initiated as an Entered Apprentice Mason in Ionic Lodge No. 90 on December 6, 1943, passed to a Fellowcraft on February 9, 1944, and raised a Master Mason, March 8, 1944.
He was a volunteer firefighter for the Lowell fire department and Douglas County fire department. His passions included his job, classic automobiles, and big band music.
Bro. Prentice suffered with slight dementia. He never fully recovered following a fall which broke his hip, and died at home 2-3 days following his release from the hospital.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Lorraine Prentice and one son Frank Prentice, both of Port Orchard, WA. He also leaves two grandsons, Jeff Prentice of Olympia and Brett Prentice of Valdosta, GA, (two sisters, Margurette Charleson of Redmond, and Geraldine Rooney of Seattle. His best friend of 62 years, Norman C. Kirk. Arrangements are under the direction of Rill Chapel, Port Orchard, WA. Graveside Service were held at Sunset Lane Cemetery in Port Orchard, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2002, 1 p.m.)
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Wm. Arthur "Art" Smith - 12/19/12 - 11/1/02
William Arthur Smith was born December 19, 1912, in Belleville, Ontario, half way between Ottawa and Toronto, Canada. Bro. Art, as he preferred to be called, married Eileen Mary Weich, and they raised three sons and a daughter.
Art began his career as an accountant and bookkeeper for the Canadian Pacific Railroad. He moved to Seattle in September 1952 to perform the same kind of work for the Milwaukee Railroad. There, he and his wife went their separate ways, and following her death, Art married Alvina, who survives him.
Art was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason in Ravenna Lodge No. 275, April 7, 1959. He passed to a Fellowcraft Mason, November 3. 1959, and was raised a Master Mason, December 8, 1959. He affiliated with St. John's Lodge No. 9, January 30, 1982, when his son-in-law, WBro. Jerry Schuh joined the craft. WBro. Schuh later became a Master of St. John's.
Our brother enjoyed life to its fullest. He was an avid golfer, and until his later years, swam daily. He was an outstanding Bridge player.
Bro. Smith was a victim of Parkinson's Disease, and died November 1, 2002. He is survived by three sons, Gary, Terrence and Richard, and his second child Delores Smith Schuh.
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Gordon L. Moe - 2/25/10 - 2/20/03
A Mason and member of St. John's Lodge for 52 years, Gordon L. Moe passed away on the eve of his 93rd birthday, February 20, 2003. Bro. Moe was born February 25, 1910, in Vashon, WA. He married Eleanor Moe, and they raised one daughter, Marilyn.
Bro. Moe was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason, March 18, 1950. He was passed to a Fellowcraft, May 13, 1950, and raised a Master Mason, June 10, 1950. He was a member of the Scottish Rite and the Nile Shrine.
Bro. Moe was employed by the Boeing Co. for 31 years prior to his retirement.
In his final years, Bro. Moe was a resident of the Arden Rehabilitation Center in Shoreline, where he struggled with dementia. His wife Eleanor visited with him daily. His death was hastened by malfunction of his esophagus, and he literally died of starvation.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor, daughter Marilyn Molinari, two grand children and two great grandchildren.
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Maurice "Nick" Field - 8/31/14 - 4/18/03
A Mason and member of St. John's Lodge for 18 years, Maurice "Nick" Fields passed away April 18, 2003, at his home in Shelton, WA. Bro. Field was born the youngest of thirteen brothers and sisters on August 31, 1914, in Tacoma. As a young boy, Maurice accompanied his mother to relocate in Minnesota.
As the Great Depression touched all lives, Bro. Field turned to the fishing trade at an early age, where he found work in the Territory of Alaska. There he later married and raised seven children and worked for the Territory and the State of Alaska in its Department of Fish and Game. In a major career change, he become an agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Bro. Field loved to travel and enjoyed "puttering" with cars. He enjoyed short trips in the car and on two occasions returned to visit his family roots in Norway. Here in the States, family gatherings were popular with the Fields, and it wasn't unusual to find 80-100 at a family re-union.
Following his retirement from the Bureau, Bro. Field was initiated into St. John's Lodge No. 9 as an Entered Apprentice Mason, April 28, 1984. He was passed to a Fellowcraft, July 28, 1984, and raised a Master Mason, August 25, 1984.
Our brother is survived by his children, Sylvia Field, Maurice Field, Jr., Darlene Stendland, Carol Graham, Terrence Field, Sally Chapman, and Otto Field; twenty-two grand children and two great grandchildren. He was buried at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery in Seattle. A private memorial and Masonic services celebrating his life was held June 15, 2003
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George P. Palady - 12/9/10 - 5/3/03
Bro. George P. Palady was born December 9, 1910, in Lansford, ND. He and his wife Nellie raised three daughters, who blessed them with nine grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Bro. Palady was an operating engineer when, at the age of forty-one, he was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason into Elliot Bay Lodge No. 257, February 8, 1952. He passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft on March 14, 1952,m and was raised a Master Mason, April 11, 1952. He wasted no time attaining his proficiency, doing so the following month. He was a Master Mason for 51 years.
Bro. Palady passed away in Spokane, WA, May 3, 2003. In addition to his wife Nellie, Bro. Palady leaves his daughters Arlene Kelley (Joe), Bonnie Berube (Harvey), Georgia Hughes (Bill), grandchildren, great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Services were held at Forest Lawn Cemetery Chapel, Seattle, Saturday, May 17th, 2003
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Einar William Brastad - 9/27/11 - 7/5/00
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there, I do not sleep
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on the ripened grain.
I am the gentle Autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
- HOPI PRAYER
Bother Einar William Brastad was born in Seattle, WA, September 27, 1911. At the age of 48, he petitioned Theodore Roosevelt Lodge No. 229 for the degrees, and on January 12, 1950, he became an Entered Apprentice Mason. Brother Brastad was passed to the degree of a Fellowcraft Mason, February 9, 1950, and raised a Master Mason, March 9, 1950. The following month, Bro. Brastad proved his proficiency and signed the bylaws of Roosevelt Lodge. He was a Mason for 50 years.
When Theodore Roosevelt Lodge consolidated with St. John's Lodge No. 9 in 1998, Bro. Brastad seemed to be our Santa Claus, receiving communications from our Lodge at the North Pole, Alaska.
In recent years we lost touch with Bro. Brastad. Last week we learned of his death and that he passed away July 5, 2000. He was 88 years old.
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David N. Carlsen - 8/25/46 - 5/24/03
WBro. David Norman Carlsen was born in Tacoma, WA, August 25, 1946. He lived his daily life in a way that everyone he met left feeling they had encountered a most positive force in their life.
Bro. Carlsen married Helena, and they raised three children: Danny, Matt, and Ingrid. Our WBro. Carklsen enriched his family's life, and enjoyed a career as a driver for Metro bus of Seattle.
He was initiated an Entered Apprentice as a courtesy candidate by South Australia Lodge of Research No. 216 on January 16, 1968. He was passed to a Fellowcraft, February 21, 1968, and raised a Master Mason, August 16, 1968. His Mother Lodge was West Seattle-Service Lodge No. 287, where he served as that Lodge's Master in 1984, 1994, 1995 and lastly 2003. Our brother affiliated with St. John's Lodge No. 9, March 7, 2001.
WBro. Carlsen's closing words to us were, "I love you all for being an important part of my life. In some way or another each one of you have all contributed to the quality and joys of my time here on earth. If I don't survive, God bless you all - I'll see you in heaven. With much love. Dave"
WBro. Carlsen lost his struggle with cancer and died peacefully May 24, 2003, knowing that he was loved by all those who knew him in this world. He leaves his wife and three children, his mother, two brothers and many friends. A Masonic Service to his memory will be held at Alki Masonic Temple, Saturday, June 8, at 3pm.
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Richard Alva Reeve - 4/5/19 - 6/8/03
Richard Alva Reeve was born April 5, 1919, in Bellingham, WA, the son of Richard Augustus and Idalene Reeve. He was raised in Everson, WA, and graduated from Mt. Baker Union High School in 1938. He married Patricia Gillespie in 1941, and they raised seven children.
Bro. Reeve was initiated an Entered Apprentice Mason, May 28, 1960, in St. John's Lodge No. 9. He was passed to a Fellowcraft, June 25, and raised a Master Mason, September 24, 1960. He and his brother Clayton Reeve took their degrees in St. John's together.
Bro. Reeve was an independent insurance adjuster and material damage appraiser for forty-five years in Seattle before settling in Ferndale, WA, where he owned his own adjusting firm until his retirement in 1981. He was a District Training Officer in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for many years, and a member of the Milton Freewater Elks.
In 1981, Bro. Reeve lost his wife Patricia, and in 1982, he married Patricia Gehrig, where three stepchildren joined the family, bringing his total children to ten.
Dick loved boating, traveling, golf and his music. He had his own 4-piece band (the Sunbeams) for ten years in Yuma, AZ, where he and his second wife Pat spent many winters before retiring to Milton-Freewater, OR. He loved playing his sax at the Stateline Grange, Elks Club, Western Senior Center and the Pendleton Senior Center in Oregon.
He enjoyed his family and is survived by his wife Pat, his sons James M., Brian R., Kevin S., daughter Erin (Myers), son Gary F.; stepchildren Jeff Gehrig, Rachelle Gehrig-Parker, Shirley Gehrig Foxe; twenty grandchildren, and eleven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife Patricia, his daughter, Ida Marie, son John Kelly and brother Clayton.
Graveside memorial services were held at the Green Acres Memorial Park (Masonic section) in Ferndale, WA, Friday, June 13, 2003
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Melvern J. Nyhagen - 9/8/18 - 8/15/01
Our Brother Melvern J. Nyhagen was born September 8, 1918, in Dunn Center, ND. We have not had the privilege to know our brother, but have his record that he joined our Lodge as an Entered Apprentice Mason, March 10, 1951. He was passed to a Fellowcraft of January 26, 1952 and raised a Master Mason, March 23, 1952.
Records show that Bro. Nyhagen was a Specialist second class petty officer on the USS Oakland in World War II. Following a shakedown and training cruise off San Diego in the summer of 1943, OAKLAND sailed for Pearl Harbor arriving 3 November 1943. She engaged in many battles in the Pacific throughout the duration of the war.
He volunteered to go and fight,
Along with many others.
They bade goodbye to loved ones dear,
To fathers and to mothers.
Thousands died on foreign soil
And many died at sea,
That freedom's flag might ever wave
O'er the land of liberty.
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Edward J. Miller - 2/14/14 - 8/3/03
Brother Edward J. Miller was born February 14, 1914, in Maspeth, New York. This European community, settled in 1643, is today within the borough of Queens on Long Island.
Brother Miller was initiated into St. John's Lodge as an Entered Apprentice Mason, April 30, 1966, passed to a Fellowcraft, May 28, 1966, and raised a Master Mason, June 25, 1966. He was a sewing machine mechanic at the time of his entry into Freemasonry.
Our brother was a resident in a West Seattle nursing home the past two years, and enjoyed his time with his fellow residents, especially the ladies. In early July of this year he broke his hip in a fall, which required surgery. He never fully recovered from that operation and passed away August 3, 2003.
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Marco DeFunis - 12/16/19 - 10/27/02
Once again a Brother Mason, having completed the designs laid down upon Life's Trestleboard, has answered the last summons of the Grand Warden of Heaven and entered that Celestial Lodge above over which the Supreme Architect of the Universe presides.
Our Brother Marco DeFunis arrived on this earth, December 16, 1919, in Seattle, Washington. After living here for 82 years, he passed to that Celestial Lodge to join his son and Brother Masons, October 27, 2002.
Brother DeFunis was initiated into Ionic Lodge No. 90, June 11, 1952; passed to a Fellowcraft, September 24, 1952, and raised a Master Mason, October 22, 1952. At the time of his initiation, he worked as a salesman. He became a fifty year Mason in 2002.
Word of his passing was received on September 30, 2003.
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William H. Couch, Sr. - 10/21/19 - 9/18/03
William H. Couch passed away September 18, 2003. He was born in San Jose, California, and had lived in Des Moines at the Masonic Retirement Center for the past three years, coming from Medford, Oregon. Brother Couch was a Navy veteran, serving in the Seabees' 5th Naval Construction Battalion for almost 4 years during WWII as a ship fitter 1st Class. He attended San Jose State College. Bill was a 50 year Journeyman Plumber in both Washington and Oregon and was a member of Washington Local 328 and Portland Local 290, retiring in 1982. He was business manager for his union in Medford for a number of years.
Brother Couch was initiated into St. John's Lodge No. 9 as an Entered Apprentice Mason, February 23, 1957, passed to a Fellowcraft Mason March 30, 1957, and raised a Master Mason, April 27, 1957. Bill was a Mason for 46 years, a Past Master in Central Point Lodge No. 135, Central Point, Oregon, and a member of Frank S. Land Lodge No. 313, Des Moines. He was the organist for St. John's Lodge from 1959 to 1963. Bro. Couch served for several years as an advisor to University Chapter, Order of DeMolay and was Associate Guardian of five Bethels of Job's Daughters in Rogue Valley, Oregon. He was a member of the Amaranth and the Shrine.
Bill was a member of the Free Methodist Church in Seattle and First Baptist Church in Medford, Oregon, and helped new churches with the plumbing and general construction needs. Bill is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marie Louise (Marie Lou); children, William H. Couch, III, David H. Couch, Dennis S. Couch, and predeceased by a daughter, Marie Lou Couch. He has two sisters, Wilma Sharp Fox . and Geraldine Gerbrandt. Interment will be in Central Point, Oregon, October 18th. Memorial services will be held the following week on October 25 at the Masonic Retirement Center. Contributions may be made to the Building Fund of Central Point Lodge No. 135.
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Paul Robert Kruse - 2/26/12 - 10/6/03
Paul Robert Kruse died peacefully at age 91 on Oct. 6, 2003. Dr. Kruse was born on Feb. 26, 1912 in What Cheer, Iowa and attended local schools there, receiving a Bachelor's degree from John Fletcher College in Iowa, a Master's in Library Science at University of Illinois and his Doctorate from University of Chicago in 1958. His distinguished career as a teacher and librarian in many states spanned nearly 40 years, including two year stints in Sri Lanka and Iran, where he helped establish library systems. It included work at the Library of Congress, at the Library for UN Conference in San Francisco in 1945, and his final post as Assoc. Prof. of Librarianship at the University of Texas, Denton, from 1965-1977.
Bro. Kruse was initiated into Doric Lodge No. 732. Nashville Tennessee, August 13, 1951, passed to a Fellowcraft, November 13, 1951, and raised a Master Mason February 26, 1952. Bro. Kruse was a plural member of Santa Cruz Lodge No. 37 in California and Revelation Lodge No. 180 of Colorado. He demitted from those Lodges and affiliated with St. John's Lodge No. 9, November 24, 1990. He was a life member of the Scottish Rite. He was presented his 60-year pin by VWBro. David Campbell at his home in March of 2002.
Upon retirement, he and his wife Carolyn Kruse lived in Santa Cruz, CA. and then moved to Seattle in 1990, where Carolyn preceded him in death in 1995. He resided at the Foss Nursing Home in the Greenwood area of Seattle for the past year. Paul is survived by his son Robert of Halifax, Nova Scotia, as well as his stepson, Dale Rector of Seattle.
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Vance S. Tjossem - 7/4/04 - 11/24/99
Bro. Vance S. Tjossem was born July 4, 1904 in Paullino, Iowa. His death, not unlike his life, was pretty much unknown to us, for the announcement came from an unfamiliar source, marked "deceased" and "no longer living at this address."
Bro. Tjossem was initiated into St. John's Lodge No. 9, June 28, 1944, passed to a Fellowcraft, July 25, 1944, and raised a Master Mason September 16, 1944. Bro. Tjossem was a member of the Nile. On November 2, 1994, he was presented his 50-year pin in open Lodge by WBro. Doug Knight, master of our Lodge.
Our brother was employed by Pioneer Sand and Gravel upon his entrance into Masonry. His last years were spent in the City of Snohomish.
As the waters fail from the sea, and the flood decayeth and drieth up; so man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed by the name of the Lord.
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Carl T. Carlson - 11/18/18 - 3/13/02
Born November 18, 1918, Bro. Carl T. Carlson passed away on March 13, 2002, in Henderson, NV. He was 83 years of age. Bro. Carlson served as a transit operator at the time of his degrees in Masonry.
Our brother was initiated into Elliot Bay Lodge No. 257 on November 16, 1946, passed to a Fellowcraft on February 20, 1947, and raised a Master mason, April 26, 1947. He was a Mason for 55 years.
Bro. Carlson leaves three children, Rusty, Sandy, and Candy. His wife Rose Mary preceded him in death.
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John D. McGregor - 1/22/10 - 11/20/03
Bro. John D. McGregor was born in Washington, D.C., on January 22, 1910, the son of James and Nella McGregor. After graduating from Nebraska's Chadron State College and teaching for two years, he signed on as a worker in the Civilian Conservation Corps. At 29, he met and married his beloved wife, Bernice. In 1940 he was called to active duty in the Army. He had a distinguished military career that included four years in the Pacific during WWII and a year of service in Korea.
During his life, John was an Army Lt. Colonel, an administrative postal employee, and a retired recreational golfer, but never retired from being a character with leprechaun smile and raised eyebrow. He was a rodeo fan for years.
Bro. McGregor was initiated into Pioneer Lodge No. 219 of Martin, SD, on March 3, 1938, passed to a Fellowcraft, April 14, 1938, and raised a Master Mason, May 12, 1938. Following a move to Seattle, Bro. McGregor dimited from Pioneer Lodge and affiliated with St. John's Lodge No. 9 on March 27, 1971. He was a member of the Scottish Rite, the York Rite, and the Shrine. In June, 1988 he was presented his 50-year pin., and on Herb's Night, July 11, 2001 he was presented his 60 year pin by WBro. Jeff Lane. In a ceremony commemorating his entry into the Fraternity, then Senior Warden Skip Albertson delivered the Apron Lecture of an Entered Apprentice Mason.
On October 17, 1997, Bro. McGregor lost his wife of 58 years, Bernice. His health began to fail, and his niece Virginia watched over him from her home in Arizona. She visited him frequently, up to the end. Our brother's final year was spent at the Foss Rehabilitation Center, where he was visited by members of the Lodge on several occasions.
Bro. McGregor passed away peacefully with family at his side, November 20, 2003. At his request, contributions to his memory may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children. It was his desire that no memorial services be held. He is interred at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery.
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John W. Houck - 1/6/15 - 11/26/03
VWBro. John W. Houck was born in Bedford, Iowa, on January 6, 1915, the first son of Walter and Sue Houck. He married Lila Louise Longfellow on May 5th, 1944, while they were both in the army stationed at Fort Lawton. They raised one daughter, Catherine Caroline. Bro. John was a sales manager before his retirement.
John was initiated into St. John's Lodge No. 9 as an Entered Apprentice, March 28, 1959, passed to a Fellowcraft, May 30, 1959, and raised a Master Mason, June 27, 1959. He immediately became an active member of the lodge, and occupied all the progressive stations through his advancement to Master in 1968.
VWBro. Houck was so well regarded that at his installation more than two dozen presiding Masters or Masters-elect honored him by their presence. He was the second Master since the 1870s to hold an open Installation of Officers with the ladies invited. He honored St. John's Lodge by serving as Deputy of the Grand Master, District No. 5, from 1970 to 1972. In the 1970s he organized wood cutting parties and participated in other activities at the Masonic Park. He has been "Mr. Masonry" to the Masonic Community because of his actions and his visibility. He visited lodges every week when he was an officer and was warmly received by them.
VWBro. Houck and Lila were active in the Order of Eastern Star, and as Worthy Patron and Matron of the Rainbow for Girls. He was a member of the Scottish Rite and a member of Walter F. Meier Lodge No. 281. He was a leader in the First United Methodist Church in downtown Seattle.
Bro. John's wife Lila preceded him in death on May 14, 1999. In recent years, John's health began to slip, and following battles with cancer and several falls, his final months were spent at the Masonic Retirement Center. He died there on November 26, 2003, one day before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving and Christmas were two of the family's special days, and his daughter Cathy remarks that mother and dad can once again share those days together.
John leaves a sister Jean Bark, brother Allan Houck, daughter Catherine Houck-Clemente, and two granddaughters, Maria Louise Clemente and Melody Lynn Kaufman.
A memorial service for John was held at the Scottish Rite, Sunday, December 7, members of the St. John's funeral team participating in the celebration of his life.
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