Obituaries

Albert H. Kassens was born Aug. 11, 1915, in Wendall, Ohio, the son of David W. Kassens and Grace Thompson Kassens. He died Oct. 31, 2005, Tacoma, Wash.

Mr. Kassens married Kathleen McDonough on Dec. 7, 1940, who preceded him in death in 1990. He was employed as an engineer by a Seattle-area shipyard during and after World War II, then for the Boeing Company for 24 years and Seattle City Light until his retirement. During retirement, he enjoyed playing pool, dancing and socializing at the Burien Senior Center and the White Center Eagles.

Mr.

Ida Wozny was born March 4, 1906 in O'Brien, Washington and died October 30, 2005. She grew up in Ballard, attended elementary school for seven years and Ballard High School for one year.

February 18, 1919 - November 1, 2005

A great and blessed man gently slipped the bonds of earth and soared aloft on Nov. 1, 2005. He was known variously as "Phil," "dad," "pa-pa," "daddy-o" and "grampa" to the nine people he loved most.

Dolores Dorn was born June 3, 1924 in Watertown, South Dakota to Nicholas and Theresa Hurkes, She passed away October 25, 2005 in Federal Way, Washington. She moved to Washington in 1943 where she met and married Nathan W. Dorn Sr. in 1946. She will be fondly remembered for her lovingly prepared home cooked meals, bread and pastries and always open arms and heart. When not busy tending to their seven children, she was helping her husband in his accounting business. She was not only a loving wife and mother but also took great pride in her many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Theresa Virginia (Groves) Longley passed away in Kent at home on Oct. 5, 2005. She was 68. Born to Ira and Katherine Groves on Sept. 29, 1937 in Burien, Theresa lived in Burien and Kent all her life. She graduated from Highline High School, Class of 1956. Theresa, also known by nick name as Gina, worked as a key-punch operator at the Boeing Co. and Tradewell. She drove school buses for the Kent School District. She was active in Scouting and loved children. Her hobbies included helping others, cooking, baking, ceramics, and gardening.

Maurine A. McCormick, born June 30, 1930, at Bremerton, and passed away Oct. 15, at her home in Seattle surrounded by her family.

Maurine was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She attended Star of the Sea School and graduated from Bremerton High School in 1948. Maurine worked in the escrow industry for over 41 years. She retired in 2000 as a Vice President and Commercial Escrow Officer of Pacific Northwest Title in Seattle. She provided support and fellowship for 26 years to the recovery community.

Merle A. Duncan, age 74, was born March 17, 1931, and passed away in Tukwila on Oct. 13, 2005.

Merle was a much loved, compassionate husband, father, and grandfather. He had a bachelor's degree from Seattle University and he was a teacher and coach in the Highline School District for 32 years. He inspired many youths.

Merle is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lydia Duncan; his seven children, Steve, Dan, Ed, Lydia, Pat, Margie and Tim; 15 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Jay and Terry.

Our dear father and Opa passed away peacefully on Oct. 1, 2005, to join our beloved mother and Oma in heaven.

Opa was born Feb. 27, 1920 in Soerabaja on the island of Java, Indonesia. He lived a happy and prosperous life growing up in Indonesia with three sisters and as the son of many generations of Dutch East Indies Army officers. He traveled to Breda, Holland, in 1938 for Dutch Army officer training.

Patricia Anne Sullivan was born Oct. 10, 1924.

Early life in Roslyn, Wash., was Irish-Welsh family oriented and centered around their pub business, "the Brick." Her miner father died too young, forcing her mother, brother and Pat to move to northeast Seattle. Operating a boarding house afforded Pat and her small family opportunities to meet a wide cross-section of interesting people, and she truly loved people!

Pat graduated from Roosevelt High School, Class of 1943, at the height of World War II. Then she went on to UW for a Journalism/Education major.

Also known as "Tractor Jack" to his many friends and acquaintances, Jack D. Bertschy peacefully passed away at home at the age of 72 on Sept. 20, 2005, surrounded by family.

Jack was born on Feb. 26, 1933, in Bentonville, Ark., the second son to Elsie and Carson Bertschy. He grew up in Bentonville and spent most of his youth on his "Ma & Pa's" farm. He went to school in Bentonville, Ark. In 1953 Jack heeded Uncle Sam's call to the Army and stayed until 1955. After leaving the army he spent several years driving long-haul trucks across the country with his friend Don Adams.