Obituaries

John Clarence Brownson Jr., 84, of Federal Way died Saturday, April 8, 2006. He was born in Idaho Falls, Idaho on Nov. 23, 1921 and has been a resident of Federal Way for nine years.

John retired as a U.S. Marine Corps Captain after 20 and a half years, worked for the Boeing Company as an electrical engineer for ten years and also worked as an Emergency Services Director for Snohomish County. He enjoyed golf, fishing and hunting.

Mary Gillmore, 78, died April 7, 2006 at Franciscan Hospice House in Tacoma. She was born April 4, 1928 in Poplar, Mont.

Mary has been a resident of Federal Way since 1966. An avid Seahawks Fan, she loved to watch TV, especially "CNN", play chess, and work crossword puzzles. She was a great cook and a fantastic mother and grandmother.

Her sons, Thomas J. Gillmore III of Arlington, James M. Gillmore and Christopher Gillmore; daughter, Kimberly A.

Lifelong Ballard resident, Lorraine T. Hansen died April 11, 2006 at the age of 94. Born December 17, 1911 to Anna and Carl Bjork of Ballard, Lorraine was preceded in death by her parents, husband Henry, sister Dode Bjork, and brother Will Bjork. She graduated from Ballard High School and was a proud graduate of the Swedish Hospital Nursing Program in 1935. She was a U.S. Navy Nurse during World War II. Lorraine worked for many years at Swedish Hospital, and after retirement for the Columbia Lutheran Home. There will be no services at her request.

Passed away April 12, 2006 after a long illness. He was born Dec. 5, 1925 at the family home in Ballard and resided there his entire life. He was the youngest of five children born to Norwegian parents, Magnus J. and Mary (Skjolsvold) Nelsen. His parents and his siblings, Thelma Oversvee, Ralph, Fred and Morris all preceded him in death.

Don attended West Woodland Grade School and Ballard High.

Born April 30, 1966 in Seattle, Washington. He passed away unexpectedly in a motorcycle accident on April 4, 2006 in Seattle. James was raised in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. He earned his living as a commercial fisherman in Alaska. He was a hard working fisherman and will be dearly missed by those who knew him. James in preceded in death by his father, James Gary Fulton and is survived by his mother, Judy Hiett, aunt Joan Bodwell, son Jack Fulton, sister Jill Greenwood, nephew Devon, niece Lauren, cousin Lori Woods as well as many fishing brothers and friends.

Bob was born in Grand Island, Nebraska on February 28, 1917. He passed away peacefully on April 5, 2006 at the age of 89 at Providence Hospital, Everett, WA. He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Agnes Cunningham; Baby brother Earl Cunningham and his loving wife Catherine Elizabeth (Beth) Cunningham. Bob and Beth were devoted to each other for over 53 years of marriage.

Bob graduated from Grand Island Senior High School in 1934. He was Master Councilor of DeMoleys during his senior year.

Kris Prestrud passed April 6, 2006 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Son of Ken and Lois Prestrud. He is survived by wife Becky and two children Peter and Alise and sister Suzanne Anderson of Boulder, Colorado. Kris grew up in West Seattle, graduated Sealth High School 1973, WSU 1978 and lived in Jackson Hole over 25 years.

5/12/27-3/21/06

Maye Kempski, 78, of West Seattle died peacefully at home on March 21 after a long struggle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Her tenacious spirit and iron will served her well throughout her life. During WWII at age 18 she was a true "Rosie the Riveter" at the naval shipyard in Bremerton. She had various jobs in Bremerton until she moved to West Seattle in 1983. She volunteered in the soup kitchen at Holy Rosary Parish until being hired as a medical receptionist.

She overcame many medical challenges and triumphed over several cancers.

The "Lady known as Lou" peacefully fell asleep April 3. She came to Seattle at the tender age of 19, hitchhiking with a girlfriend from her hometown of Mayville, Wisconsin. The youngest of eleven children, she was the last of her siblings to leave this earthly realm. Her nearest and dearest sister, Marge Lewis, had joined her in Seattle and they remained close until Marge's death in 2003. Her relationship with Marge's daughter, her niece, Shirly Miller, gave her great solace.

Norma Carlsen was born on August 30, 1914 in Kalispell, Montana and passed away on April 11, 2006 in Seattle, Washington. She was preceded in death by her husband George B. and son David. She is survived by Bernie, Russell and families including eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. She was a retired teacher from Alki and Lafayette schools. Funeral services will be at 1 p.m., Wednesday, April 19, 2006 at forest Lawn Funeral Home with graveside service and reception to follow. Donations to Seattle Milk Fund or Alki Congregational Church.