OBITUARIES

Eugene Erhart Hofstedt
Nov. 18, 1924 – Feb. 8, 2010

Eugene Erhart Hofstedt, 85 years, of Point Roberts, Washington, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 8, at St. Francis Care Home in Bellingham.
Eugene was born on November 18, 1924, the son of Erhart and Alice Hofstedt, in Superior, Wisconsin. He is predeceased by his twin brother, Harris Leonard Hofstedt – separated at birth, and by his younger brother, Stanley Hofstedt, all of whom are now brothers together for eternity.
Growing up during the Depression of the 1930s with a widowed mother, Eugene learned the value of hard work. In April 1943, at the age of 18, Eugene joined the U.S. Army and served with Company I, 180th Thunderbird Infantry Division in Northern France, Germany and Central Europe during World War II.
After WWII, Eugene returned to Wisconsin where he attended university and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1951. He worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture for several years. As a Federal Grain Inspector, Eugene traveled throughout the United States and met and married his beautiful wife, Maureen in 1957.
Eugene held a strong interest in studying architecture and design. He was a collector of guitars and antique clocks. He enjoyed motorcycle riding and a good game of chess. He loved to work with wood and is remembered for building ‘the little red barns’ at every one of their family homes from the mid-west to the Pacific. Eugene started playing piano at age nine, becoming a gifted jazz musician who also played guitar, harmonica, accordion and just about any instrument.
In his early years, Eugene played jazz piano at local clubs in Wisconsin and he continued to play jazz piano or guitar in the living rooms of friends, to outdoor venues and some high-end restaurants wherever he lived or traveled. Until recent weeks before his passing, Eugene welcomed the opportunity to play jazz and blues, bringing much joy to those who knew him and didn’t know him, but who all loved the beautiful music he created. Some of Eugene’s favorite experiences were family get-togethers with his children and grandchildren. He had a wonderful sense of humour and will be remembered as “Always Loving and Always Loved.” He was “A Good Man” and has been a gift to all who knew him.
Eugene is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 51 years, Maureen. He is also survived by his four children: Teresa Hofstedt, Jim (Bronwynn) Hofstedt, Moira (Peter) Haagen, and Eric (Odette) Hofstedt and his seven grandchildren: Caleb, Sarah, Maeghan and Caiden Hofstedt, Myles and Alexandra Haagen and Mac Hofstedt.
A service to celebrate the life of Eugene Erhart Hofstedt will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at 11 a.m., followed by a potluck at the Trinity Community Lutheran Church in Point Roberts, Washington. A private family internment will be held in the near future in Poplar Cemetery, in Poplar, Wisconsin. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations can be made in Eugene’s name to the Point Roberts Food Bank at 360/945-5175 or 360/945-1711, or to any branch of the Salvation Army.

James Mike Bogyo
October 22, 1930 – January 25, 2010

Born October 22, 1930 in Penticton, B.C. and long-time resident of Delta and Point Roberts, Jim Boygo passed away peacefully on January 25, 2010. Jim is lovingly remembered by his sister Vera; his children, Terry Bogyo, Grant Bogyo, Valerie Bogyo, Frances Schweitzer, Connie Welch and their families.
He will be missed by his 21 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Jim is predeceased by his wife, Raymonde; daughter Gloria and brothers Les, Charlie and Bill. Dad had a varied career beginning work in film narration, sports and newscasting in radio and television. He helped start and run the Ocean Star newspaper that served Point Roberts for many years.
Jim leaves behind a legacy of love and curiosity as deep as the ocean, as high as the heavens and as broad as any vista on a clear day. Thanks, Dad.
Funeral Mass and reception was held Friday, February 12, 2010 in Saint John Vianney Church in Penticton with Father Pat Monette, Presidor. Condolences may be sent to the family through Parkview Chapel at providencefuneralhomes.com.

Bjorn F. Hrutfiord
Jan. 31, 1932 – Feb. 16, 2010

Dr. Bjorn F. Hrutfiord, born in Blaine January 31, 1932 to parents Barney and Bella Johnson Hrutfiord, died Tuesday, February 16, 2010 in Bellingham, Washington.
Bjorn graduated from Blaine high school in 1950 where he was the athlete of the Year, Salutatorion, student body president, and State Farmer in FFA. He graduated from Washington State University with a B.S. in Chemistry in 1954, and went on to attain the Ph.D in Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1959. He then went to the University of Washington where he had a long teaching and research career teaching pulp and paper chemistry in the Forestry College, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1998.
He was a consultant for Monsanto Chemical Company and Rhone Poullenc Chemical Company for over 35 years. He married the love of his life, Janet Westman, on July 16, 1960. They had four sons, and later adopted her nephew Kurt Thomas after the death of Kurt’s mother, Yvonne Westman Thomas. 
Bjorn is survived by his wife of 49 years, Janet and sons, Bradley (fiance Dianna), Brian (wife Shannon), David (wife Kari) and Steven (wife Rachel) all of Blaine, and son Kurt Thomas of Woodinville, WA, and grandchildren Conner Bjorn, Bella Elizabeth, Bjorn William, Svenna Jayne and Resa Brynn Hrutfiord, and step grandchildren Casey and Jeffrey Burkholder and Melissa Younkins, and brother Don (wife Mary) Hrutfiord, and nephews Dan and Chris, all of Blaine.
Bjorn published more than 60 scientific research papers, and after retirement was on the Drayton Harbor Shellfish Advisory Committee and Bellingham Technical College Advisory Board for Oil Refinery operators training.
Bjorn was a collector of old farm tractors, Louis L’Amour westerns, and electric trains. He enjoyed pheasant hunting in eastern Washington, the “Liars Club” for coffee on Thurs. mornings at Cost Cutter in Blaine, and keeping up with the careers of his former graduate students. He had been active as a scoutmaster for his sons as they went through the ranks in Troop 327 in Seattle, and he loved ice cream.
Bjorn and Jan traveled around the world attending chemical society meetings where Bjorn gave many scientific papers including Paris, Stockholm, Melbourne Australia, and mainland China, where they both taught at Nanjing Forestry University in Nanjing China in 1984 and 1986, and Bjorn was a concurrent professor at Nanjing Forestry University.
They traveled extensively in the United States,  visiting pulp mills, former students, relatives and friends. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren, and his Icelandic heritage. In retirement Bjorn and Jan enjoyed their timeshare condo in Kauai, Hawaii, and their home in Blaine, living across the street from the farm where he grew up. He will be remembered and missed by his family and many friends.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Blaine, led by Pastor Dennis Wildermuth, at 11:30 a.m. on March 6. Instead of flowers, memorials can be given to the Jan and Bjorn Hrutfiord Scholarship Fund, c/o the Washington Pulp & Paper Foundation, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195 or a charity of your choice.

David Allan Richards
April 21, 1954 – Sept. 11, 2009

It is with profound sadness that we share news of the sudden death of David Allan Richards.

Dave was born in Vancouver and lived his childhood between Point Roberts and Boundary Bay. Dave worked as a pilot for Air Canada for 31 years.

Dave will be greatly missed by his loving family; wife Jackie and their daughters Carling, Dannie and Angela of Shawnigan Lake; mother Ruth; sister Kim (Mike) Fenner of Sooke; brothers Stephen (Mary), Allan (Denise), and Mark, all of Point Roberts. Dave was predeceased by his father, Allan Richards.

Dave’s family and friends will remember a man with beautiful eyes and long lashes, a man big-hearted, generous, caring and genuinely interested in everything. Observant and attentive to detail, he filled his home with beautiful photos of Jackie and the girls. He was proud of all his family’s activities, delighted in his home and loved to welcome people into his family’s lives.

After his family, Dave’s greatest joy was flying. It was a passion he loved to share with Jackie and their girls by flying on vacations all over North America. Being a pilot was more than his career, it was his way of life. Through flight, Dave gathered community. He loved treating friends to flights in his own plane.

He was in his element socializing at the Boundary Bay Airport and other small airport coffee shops all over southern BC. Weather statistics, patterns and conditions enthralled him, especially those he gathered at his own weather station which he installed at his house. His attention to detail showed in his professional ability to pilot an Airbus 330 around the world. In addition, he delighted in sharing his knowledge with anyone ready to listen. Dave played amateur hockey with enthusiasm and was an active member of the Shawnigan Lake Community.

A celebration of Dave’s life will be held at Shawnigan Lake School on Sunday, Sept. 27, from 1:30 to 4. The service will be in the chapel, followed by a reception in Marion Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations to the “David Richards Memorial Scholarship” to aid young aspiring pilots would be greatly appreciated, c/o Air Canada Flight Operations YVR 3232, 6001 Grant McConachie Way, Richmond, B.C., V7B 1K3. Please forward any thoughts, memories, anecdotes of Dave to Bryan at brj737@yahoo.com. Jackie would like to compile these in a memory book for the girls.

Doris Mae Clark Barnes

Doris Mae Clark Barnes, our loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 31, 2009, surrounded by her family. She was born December 4, 1929 at home in Bellingham, WA to John and Randi Sandness.

Doris graduated in 1947 from Bellingham High School and worked as a bookkeeper for Yorkston Oil, The Golden Rule, and was owner and operator of Clark’s Store in Pt. Roberts, WA where she spent summers with her family. Doris was very proud of her Norwegian ancestry and hosted numerous family reunions at her summer beach house. Doris enjoyed traveling the world with dear friends. Doris spent her winters in Hawaii where she met and married her husband Johnny Barnes in 1989. She developed a love for the islands and the friendships she made there. Doris also enjoyed downhill skiing, swimming and reading.

Doris was a member of her beloved bridge club for 55 years, a member of the Bellingham Yacht Club, and the Bellingham Golf and Country Club.

Doris was preceded in death by son Keith Newton, her brother Adolf Sandness and sisters June Metzner and Ruth Roy.

She is survived by her husband Johnny Barnes, constant companion and fulltime caregiver.
Children; Kristina (Ken) Peterson, Mark (Kerri) Newton, and Nancy Krommer.
Grandchildren; Taryn (Josh) Bailey, Natalie Peterson, Lauren Peterson, Skye Luke, Ryan Brown and Tyler Newton.
Two great granddaughters; Kate and Sydney Bailey.
Her brother, Arnold Sandness and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mother we thank you for your generous heart, your integrity and your strong work ethic.
We love you Grandi!

Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army. In Memory of Doris, please do something kind for someone else.

A memorial service will be held 2 pm, Friday, September 11, at Moles-Bayview Chapel on Lakeway Dr. in Bellingham.

You may share your thoughts and memories of Doris in the online memorial guestbook at www.molesfuneralhomes.com
 
Moles Family Funeral Homes & Crematory
Bayview Chapel-Bellingham

Robert Magnus Thorstenson
December 31, 1931- July 28, 2009

Robert Magnus Thorstenson passed away peacefully with his entire family by his side. He had survived Parkinson’s disease for over three decades but succumbed to side effects of a fall related to his long-term illness.

The grandson of Icelandic immigrants, he was born to Ella and Laugi Thorstenson on December 23, 1931, in Vancouver, B.C., which was the closest hospital to their home in Point Roberts. He was extremely proud of his Icelandic heritage.

He graduated from Blaine high school in 1949 and after two years of service in the Navy attended the University of Washington, where he was co-captain of the Husky Crew team and graduated in 1956. Upon graduation he was employed as a commercial purse seine deckhand as well as a tender operator before embarking upon a career in the commercial fish processing business. From 1959-1964 he rose from assistant cannery superintendent in Petersburg to general superintendent of all Alaskan operations of Pacific American Fisheries.

In 1963 he married the love of his life, Pamela (Martens) Thorstenson. Once Pacific American Fisheries decided to sell its operations in 1965, he formed a group of fishermen to purchase the Petersburg Alaska plant, naming it Petersburg Fisheries, which was later to become Icicle Seafoods. This was the first truly all-Alaskan seafood processing company.

He was once referred to by a prominent Alaskan politician as a “legend before his time” and Bob certainly lived up to that billing. He never boasted about his accomplishments, instead choosing to share his successes, both the credit and the wealth with his business associates, fishermen and employees. He once said that he was only good at choosing talented people and allowing them to do their jobs.

Bob enjoyed listening to classical music, singing, puttering in his garden, and maintaining relationships with old friends and making new ones. Mr. Thorstenson is survived by his wife of 46 years, Pamela, his children Bob Jr. (Gina), Tani (Leif) Stenfjord; all of Shoreline, Washington, Peder (Kathleen) Thorstenson of Stafford, Oregon, and his twin sister Sylvia Thorstenson Schonberg, Point Roberts. He was also blessed by 10 grandchildren: Sylvi, Magnus, Ingrid, and Robert Gunnar Thorstenson; Thor, Annika and Anders Stenfjord; and Connor, Margaret and Elizabeth Thorstenson.

Mr. Thorstenson was a quiet doer of good deeds and he lived his life to the fullest, helping thousands of people in the commercial fishing community of Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. He was a living example of the axiom that “actions speak louder than words.”

Donations may be made to the Nordic Heritage Museum building fund (www.nordicmuseum.org/), Salvation Army, (www.salvationarmy usa.org/) or Mayo Clinic, Parkinson’s Disease, 13400 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, Arizona, 85259.

Beverley Loraine Chester
April 12, 1933 - July 8, 2009

Beverley Chester (née Stewart) passed away peacefully after a brief battle with cancer. She is survived by her loving husband Roy to whom she was married for 59 years, son Bruce of Reno, Nevada and son Brian of New Westminster, B.C., 4 nieces,2 nephews and several grand and great grandnieces and nephews.
Bev was born in Vancouver, B.C., later moving to Point Roberts with her young family. Bev worked at The Breakers and The Reef before moving to Milpitas and San Jose where she became a successful real estate agent. Bev and her husband relocated back to Point Roberts 12 years ago when they retired. No service by request.

Marjorie Ellen Horan (nee McKeen)
October 27, 1921 – June 19, 2009

Midge left us peacefully, surrounded by family after a long and interesting life traveling the world in the diplomatic corps with her husband John. They spent their retirement years enjoying family and friends in Tsawwassen and Point Roberts. She will be sorely missed. Her humor and endless patience were always a source of strength and solace to all she knew.
Midge is survived by three children, Elizabeth, Philip (Karen) and Kathleen. She also leaves behind eight grandchildren, Sean, Jessica, Richard, Lisa, Timothy, Ryan, Christopher and Nicholas, and one great grandson, Christian. Midge was predeceased by her husband John and two children, Richard and Margaret.
Our heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff and administration at the Waterford.
Memorial services will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church on APA Road at 11 a.m., Thursday, July 2. In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make a donation to the Parkinson’s Society of British Columbia (check to Suite 600 – 890 West Pender St., Vancouver, B.C. V6C 1J9) in Midge’s memory.

Sigrid Vopnford
1922-2009

Sigrid died June 6, 2009, wrapped in the love of her caregivers at Custer Adult Family Home. She was born in Sudavik, Iceland and soon after emigrated with her parents to Canada and then to Point Roberts. She attended her first 10 years of school at Point Roberts, finishing in Blaine. In 1941 she met her beloved Wally in the basement of the Blaine Free Church Unitarian. They bought their first house for $500 in Bellingham. In 1946 they moved to South Beach. The home was a gathering place for family and friends.
In 1954, with three children, they moved to Bellingham to begin their college careers. They kept their home in Point Roberts and spent summers and holidays there. After college they both taught at Conway school until retirement.
Wally and Sigrid loved to sing and made music an integral part of all the many gatherings at their home. In the 1960s they bought their first travel trailer and enjoyed many trips throughout the western U.S. and Canada. The love Wally and Sigrid shared was so very special, when he died in 1991 she said that he had taken a large part of her soul with him. Now their souls can be rejoined.
Sigrid was preceded in death by her beloved Wally and by her son Dan. She is survived by son David and his wife Jackie, daughter Linda and her husband Stephen Riley, many loving grandchildren, even more great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, numerous nephews and nieces and special friends. All of us have wonderful memories to keep her with us.
A memorial service was held at the Free Church Unitarian in Blaine June13. Sigrid will be interned at Point Roberts cemetery, next to Wally, at a later date.
The family suggests that in lieu of flowers, funds be sent to Custer Adult Family Home to assist them in providing their special care to other residents.

Robert Day Thompson
March 7, 1926 -May 9, 2009
Dorothy Anne (Baker) Thompson
November 11, 1927 - April 1, 2009

He loved God, his family, friends, his pipe, coffee, ball games, and a good book… She loved God, her family (especially her grandkids), birds, gardening, and baking… They loved each other dearly!
Robert Day Thompson was born on March 7, 1926 in Sioux City, Iowa to Paul Thompson an immigration officer, and Esther Day a homemaker. He had one sister, Elaine (Thompson) Patterson. The love of his life was Dorothy who he met when he was 13 and she was 12 on the steps of Blaine middle school.
Dorothy Anne Baker was born on November 11, 1927 at Sunrise Farm in Point Roberts to John Conrad Baker, a commercial fisherman, and Anna, a homemaker who spent countless hours combing the beach for agates and tending to her beautiful gardens.
Dorothy had one brother, John Conrad Baker II, and one sister, Virginia Lee (Baker) Wampler.
Robert always said it was love at first sight when he met Dorothy. On the weekends he would walk all the way from Blaine where he lived to Point Roberts where she lived to spend time with her.
He joined the Navy in July 1943, served in WWII, then was stationed in Key West, Florida where he called Dorothy to propose.
Their love story continued as they were married in June of 1946 in Point Roberts. Robert went on to serve our country in the Korean War where he was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan as a signalman.
Two months after his return he became a firefighter for the Bellingham Fire Department where he served from 1951 to 1977.
Robert and Dorothy had three children, Kathy, Rick and Bob. They were blessed with eight granddaughters, two grandsons, one great-granddaughter, and one great-grandson (on the way). Dorothy helped care for many elderly neighbors while living at their Eldridge home.
She always looked out for the well-being of others, often cooking delicious meals for them. She truly enjoyed caring for others.
Robert and Dorothy touched everyone they encountered. Services were held at Veteran’s of Foreign Wars (VFW) on Wednesday, May 20, 2009.
Donations may be made to the Bellingham Fire Department/Whatcom Medic One or Whatcom Hospice.

Dorothy Anne Thompson (Baker)
November 11, 1927 – April 1, 2009
Dorothy Anne Baker, second child of John and Anne Baker, of Point Roberts WA. The third granddaughter of pioneers Jeppe and Anna Thompson from the Isle of Fano, Denmark.
She was welcomed by her big sister Virginia Lee (2) and later her little brother Johnny arrived. Our family neighborhood of aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. A very close loving family.
Dorothy was a beautiful little round-faced baby and said to have had a disposition of an angel, which carried on throughout her life.
We had it all living on a farm run by her grandparents and school at Point Roberts until her junior high years. She was always on the honor roll and held many offices in her high school days, as well as being Blaine High School Sweetheart. She had many friends including the Canadian summer campers of Boundary Bay who were lifetime friends.
Dorothy grew up to be a very beautiful girl and her smile could light up a room. Her sincere friendship was a great attribute. Though she had many serious illnesses in her lifetime, throughout it all her smile was steady and if asked how are you she would answer I’m just fine thank you!
She married her junior high and high school sweetheart Robert Day Thompson. They had 63 years of marriage. To this union three children were born: Katherine Anne Thompson, Richard Day Thompson, and Robert Paul Thompson. No parents could ask for better children, good, intelligent loving kids. They in turn gave them 10 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and one coming.
Dorothy was a Christian girl, belonging to the Lutheran Church. This may all sound superfluous, but truly could not say enough good about my sister and now she is whole again in heaven with our God Almighty and her precious mom, daddy, brother Johnny and Blanche, granddaughter Chantel Thompson, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins all waiting with open arms.
Rest in peace, Dorothy – my sister.
We love you.
Virginia Lee

Jean Burger Daniels
September 20, 1946 – December 21, 2008
 Jean loved living in Point Roberts and working at the library. She was so happy with all the new friends she had made. Jean passed away in her home here on the Point on the morning of the winter solstice (her favorite day of the year) with her husband and son at her side following a brief illness with cancer.
So very loved by your husband, son, family and friends, we will miss you so, yet always remember you as you rest in peace in the hands of a loving God. Memorials should be sent to the “Friends of the Library” Point Roberts Library.

Margaret Ellen (Peggy) Viner
January 19, 1924 – January 2, 2009
It is with great sadness and much love that the family announces the passing of our wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother Margaret Ellen (Peggy) Viner (nee Rance). Mom was born and grew up in Victoria, B.C. and upon meeting and marrying Dad, Bill, they moved to Vancouver where they raised their three children.
Upon Dad’s retirement they moved to Tsawwassen to be close to their much loved grandchildren. Survived by her son Gary (Carole), daughters Donna (Brian) Brackman and Gayle (Bruce) Moir. Grandchildren, Jaimie (Sherrilyn), Judi (Darren), Cathy (Mike), Stephen, Sarah and Alex. Great-grandchildren Tyler, Elyse, Justin, Robbie, Ryan, Braeden, Annika and Gavin.
Mom spent many happy years at her summer home in Point Roberts with friends and family. She will be remembered by those as Granny and for all her baking and famous “Goodie Trays.” She loved playing bridge, golfing, baking, knitting, and swimming in her pool. We were blessed as a family to have such a loving and caring Mom, time will take away the pain of her not being with us but we will always have our wonderful memories.
A celebration of Peggy’s life was held on Saturday, January 10, 2009 in the Benediction Lutheran Church, Tsawwassen. Donations can be made to Delta Hospital.