Obituaries

Frederika (Schlanbusch) Packard, 88, passed away Jan. 16, 2006, at Wesley Homes in Des Moines.

Frederika (Fritzie) was born in Bradish, Nebraska, on March 26, 1917, to Annetta (Sanderson) and Iver Schlanbusch. She was named after her grandfather, Frederik Schlanbusch, a Norwegian immigrant and a Civil War veteran. After her father, Iver, died in the 1918 flu epidemic she, her mother and her brother relocated to Parkland, Wash. Her mother then married Gustav Schlanbusch, brother of Iver. Fritzie graduated from Pacific Lutheran College High School and studied nursing at PLC.

Ron Shoemaker died peacefully January 13, 2006.

Ron was born in Seattle on May 3, 1944, and was a long-time resident of West Seattle. He graduated from Santa Ana High School in Orange County, California, and later attended Highline Community College and the University of Washington.

Ron was a Lieutenant in the Seattle Fire Department and served 15 years until his retirement in 1986.

BJ Stokes was born Dec. 31, 1928. She was the last baby born in the city of Spokane in that year. She passed away quietly at her home Jan. 11, 2006.

The family moved to Des Moines where she lived her life watching the town progress from the early years to the present growth. She loved and was so proud of her flowers and plants. She was so proud of her garden and doing the canning and freezing of the produce and giving neighbors and friends ample supply. Her animals were very special to her, especially her collie dogs.

7-17-23 to 12-28-05

Fred was a long time resident of Burien and an avid outdoorsman. He retired from King County Public Works.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Doris, of 53 years, eight daughters, and their extended families. He was preceded in death by his daughter Carol and son Daryl.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of your choice.

Happy Trails, big bear, we miss you. Peace.

Golda was born Oct. 26, 1910, in Hillsboro, Wis. She died following a long illness Jan. 18, 2006, in Burien.

She was a multi-talented woman, an extraordinary good cook, a great vegetable gardener and she grew many beautiful flowers which were entered in competitions and won many blue ribbons for her arrangements. Golda was in a quilting club and worked on many beautiful quilts through the years.

She met her husband, Clarence Bitzan, at a barn dance in 1936. He asked her to marry him on their first date but she wanted to wait a while. They later married Feb.

Born May 28, 1930 in Seattle, passed away January 4, 2006 in Seattle at age 75. Helen graduated from West Seattle High School (1948) and Multnoma Bible School, Portland (1950). She was a loving, thoughtful and giving wife, mother and grandmother. Helen loved books, and was instrumental in establishing the library at West Side Presbyterian. She served as president of the Pacific Northwest Church Librarians Association and also volunteered faithfully at University Presbyterian Church (UPC) in the library, audiotape ministry, memorial committee and as wedding coordinator.

Age 87 born March 17, 1918, died December 21,2005. She is survived by her son, John Gasparach, daughter Judy Gasparach and grandchildren Yohan and Julia Gasparach. Marie retired as a financial officer with People's Bank and spent her remaining years active in a variety of causes close to her heart. She was loved by her family and many friends and will be sorely missed. A service was held on January 12th at the Alki Congregational Church.

Teresa Ann McSharry was born March 10, 1933, to Walter Ignatius John McSharry and Mary Vincent (Sargent) McSharry, the fourth of eight children, in Greeley, Nebraska. She died December 29, 2005 at Olympia, Washington.

Surviving siblings: Anna Mae Livingston, Olympia, WA; Dr.

David Brent Gailey died Dec. 27, 2005, at the age of 46 and employed with Boeing in Renton. He was a life long resident of Boulevard Park.

Brent, as he was known to his family and friends, is survived by his parents, Duane D. and M. Jean Gailey, of Boulevard Park; half brothers Michael Hunting (Lisa), Puyallup, Milton James Gailey, Fairfield, and Donald Scott Gailey (Magali), Auburn; one sister, Jacqueline Simpson (Bill), Federal Way; numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.

Rest in peace, free at last.

A memorial service is being planned.

Glen Grazier’s e-mail signature read, “Old pilots never die -- they just fly away.” Glen departed this earth, surrounded by family and friends, on Jan. 7, 2006.

Glen was born June 2, 1914, in a tarpaper shack in Clear Lake, Mont., and grew up in Dixon, Mont. His lifelong passion for flying was sparked when he and his classmates watched with excitement as a large biplane landed in a field outside their elementary school.

Glen received his transport pilot license at the tender age of 22.