Lois A. ‘Sanny’ Lee
In her beloved home on Whidbey Island, Lois Ann “Sanny” Lee’s last request was granted.
Surrounded by her loving husband, children, nieces and nephews, she left this world in peace, hearing her favorite hymns, to be with her Lord.
Born April 30, 1930, in Seattle, Sanny was raised in Seattle, graduated from Holy Names Academy, attended the University of Washington, and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega. Whidbey Island was always in her heart and she settled permanently on Mutiny Bay in 1973.
Being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend were always her priorities and she was indeed at her best giving and sharing unselfishly. Everyone was always welcomed in her home — she cared, she listened, she laughed, she comforted, and she loved. Truly this wonderful lady will be sorely missed. The lessons and legacy she leaves us to emulate are unconditional love, the importance of God in our lives, and always family first.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Charlie; children Leslie Mathews of Edmonds, Susie Aumell of Federal Way, John Elf of Vancouver, Steve Elf of Bothell, Andy Elf of Whidbey Island, and Kristy Smart of North Bend; a sister, Ginny McKay, and family; 47 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Chester (Cotton) and Mary Wilcox.
Memorial services will be held at 11 a.m. March 1 at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church, Langley. Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be 7 p.m. Feb. 28 at Visser Funeral Home, Langley.
The family suggests remembrances be made to Medical Ambulatory Care at Whidbey General or Hospice Care.
Phyllis M. Turner
Phyllis Martha Turner died Feb. 24, 2002, in Coupeville. She was born April 30, 1915, in Seattle to Ira and Eleanor Hawley.
She bought recreational property on Whidbey Island in 1963 and moved here permanently in 1972.
She is survived by four children, DeVere Peltzer, Philip Turner, Terry Hammond and Tim Turner; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren.
She dabbled in ceramics and painted, loved gardening, and was an avid and devoted Bible student. She attended the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Langley. She was actively involved in local politics.
A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Feb. 28 at Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Langley.
Inurnment is by Visser Funeral Home, Langley.
Stanley Roy Carter
Stanley Roy Carter, 69, died Feb. 7, 2002, at his son’s home in Seattle. He had been a resident of the Sandy Hook community on South Whidbey for 12 years.
Stan was born in Okanogan, Wash., Dec. 1, 1932, to E. B. Carter and Vera L. (Stevens) Carter. He attended schools in Bremerton, Mukilteo and Everett. Following high school he spent two years in the Navy on the USS Thomas Jefferson traveling between San Diego and Alaska. Upon discharge, he returned to Mukilteo to his parents’ home and attended Everett Community College.
On July 3, 1958, he married Lorraine F. Hitt in Seattle. At the time of their meeting, Stan worked for Western Electric installing the direct dialing system in Northwestern Bell’s main office in Seattle. In 1959 he went to work for Signal Equipment Co. installing the nurse call system in the newly built University of Washington Hospital. Upon completion of the hospital work, he accepted a position at the University of Washington, where he worked for the next 17 years in the department maintaining the system that he had installed while at Signal. The final 15 years was spent working on the Upper Campus testing and maintaining the extensive fire alarm system.
Stan retired in May of 1990, shortly after moving to Whidbey Island.
Over the years, Stan has been interested in Hobie Cat sailing (active in racing, race committee and fleet activities), snow skiing (which he took up when he was 40 years old), and fishing, with a particular fondness for steelhead. Upon moving to Sandy Hook, he became very involved with the community, serving as harbormaster for more than five years. His sailing interest lead to his involvement with committee work in the Corinthian Yacht Club at many of their sailing regattas, including Whidbey Island Race Week. After many years of activities on the water, the view from his home of Cultus Bay and surrounding Puget Sound was a continual enjoyment for him. In his last years, he enjoyed traveling and seeing the United States.
Stan is survived by his wife of 43 years, Lorraine Carter of Clinton; two sons, Steve Carter and wife, Brenna Jones, of Woodinville, and Paul Carter and partner Bob Combie of Seattle; a sister, Phyllis Peterson, and husband Winn of Poulsbo; as well as nephews, nieces and other relatives.
A celebration of Stan’s life will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Freeland at 2 p.m. March 10. A reception will follow. His family will spread Stan’s ashes on his beloved Cultus Bay later in the spring. Any donations may be made in his name to Trinity Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, Good Cheer in Langley, or a charity of your choice.
Harry G. Welch Sr.
Harry G. Welch Sr., Clinton, beloved husband of Oleta and father of eight, died Feb. 20, 2002, in Coupeville.
Harry and Oleta were married Jan. 9, 1941, in Edinburgh, Texas. They lived for a year in Panama, where their eldest son was born. They moved to the Seattle area in 1942.
Harry served in the Merchant Marine during World War II as an engineer, and after the war he opened Highline Plumbing and Heating in Burien.
Harry was a respected businessman in the state plumbing and heating industry. He was president of the Mechanical Contractors Association and the Burien Chamber of Commerce.
He is survived by his wife, Oleta; three sons, Harry Jr., Dwayne and Michael; three daughters, Sandra Fairchild, Colleen Gagley and Linda Pearson; 18 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two children, John and Carol.
Services will be at 11 a.m. March 2 at St. Hubert’s Catholic Church, Langley.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations may be made to the American Cancer Society in Harry’s name.
Arrangements are under the direction of Visser Funeral Home, Langley.
Walter E. Sproule
Walter Eugene Sproule, 81, a 17-year resident of Greenbank, died at his home Feb. 23, 2002, following a lengthy illness.
Mr. Sproule was born in Riverton, Wyo., Oct. 11, 1920, to John Harper Sproule and Kiva Leeta (Seaman) Sproule. He was raised in Riverton, where he graduated from high school. He attended the University of Wyoming. In February 1945 he entered the Army. He spent part of his service time in the Philippines.
He married Alice Irma Dierks on July 14, 1945, in Evanston, Wyo. They lived in Riverton until July 1956, when they moved to Hot Springs, S.D. Walter was a beekeeper from age 17 until he moved with his family to Pullman in 1968. While in Pullman, he was a maintenance mechanic at Washington State University for 17 years. Walter and Alice retired to Greenbank in 1985. He was most recently a member of Oak Harbor Lutheran Church where he served as eucharistic minister, usher and greeter. He faithfully served his Lord as financial secretary, Sunday school superintendent, elder and trustee in various churches throughout his church life.
His hobbies included woodworking, gardening, fishing and feeding quail.
Walter is survived by Alice, his wife of 56 years, in Greenbank; three daughters, Marie Hokanson and husband Jim of Dickinson, Texas, Jocelyn Carson and husband Dave of Shoreline, and Rebecca Thomas and husband David of Moses Lake; two sons, Leon Sproule and wife Virginia Carter of Chattaroy, and Stephen Sproule and wife Kay of Roseburg, Ore.; eight grandchildren, Walter Hokanson of Dickinson, Texas, Chris Carter of Spokane, Terry Sproule of Chattaroy, Mary and Andrew Carson of Shoreline, Wendy Dougherty and husband Frank IV of Sutherlin, Ore., Jason Thomas of Moses Lake and James Stamper, with the Navy in New Orleans; two great-grandchildren; a nephew, Michael Sproule and wife Betty of Bowling Green, Ohio; and two great-nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, John Sproule, in July 1997.
A memorial service will be held at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church today, Feb. 27, at 10 a.m. with Rev. Jerry Buss officiating.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made to Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, the MAC Clinic at Whidbey General Hospital, or the Friends of Home Health and Hospice. Arrangements and cremation are under direction of Burley Funeral Chapel.
