Winona Loretta Grant
December 3, 1955 – September 13, 2017
Winona Loretta Grant went home to be with her Lord September 13, 2017 following a battle with cancer. She passed away at her home in Sequim, surrounded by her family.
Loretta was born December 3, 1955 to Richard and Winona Bekkevar in Port Angeles, WA. She grew up on the family farm in Blyn, where she met her true love, Fred Grant. Fred knew from the moment he saw her that she was the one and they married October 28, 1972 in a small celebration at her sister’s home in Sequim. They spent their nearly 45 years of marriage at the farm they purchased from Fred’s grandmother, where they raised their three daughters Deana, Joy and Allison and enjoyed the little things in life.
Loretta began her career as a paraeducator for Sequim School District after realizing how much she enjoyed her time volunteering in the girls’ classrooms. She was a member of the WEA and worked in all 5 buildings of the district during her 34 years of employment, touching the lives of so many students and employees. Loretta was a life member of the Washington State Grange and loved being able to help her community through their activities. Loretta served on the Sequim Pioneer Association board, including a term as President through 2016. Her community was important to her and she said she was blessed to live here, be close to her family and wouldn’t change anything.
Loretta is survived by husband Fred Grant; children Deana and John McIntyre of Port Angeles, Joy and Jim Headley of Sequim, Allison and Will Sukert of Maple Valley; grandchildren Torrie McIntyre, Jayme McIntyre, Braven Headley and Peyton Sukert; Parents Richard Bekkevar and Winona Lotzgesell Bekkevar of Sequim; Sisters Chris Baker, Aleta and Mark Smith, and Dorinda and Jeff Becker, all of Sequim; Brothers Dave and Trish Bekkevar and Jim and Andrea Bekkevar of Sequim; Brother-in-law Bill and Melvina Grant of Boise, ID; and numerous nieces, nephews and relatives.
Memorial service will be October 7, 2017 at 2:00 pm at her church, King’s Way Foursquare, located at 1023 Kitchen Dick Rd in Sequim. The family wants to thank everyone for all the help during this difficult time and thank those that were able to visit Loretta before she passed. For those wishing to honor Loretta, please consider donating to Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County. At her request, Sequim Prairie Grange will donate proceeds from their pancake breakfast October 1st to Hospice.
John Ero Jarvis
March 18, 1931 – September 16, 2017
John Ero Jarvis passed away at the age of 86 on September 16th 2017 in Port Angeles, Washington.
He was born March 18,1931 to Olga and Ero Jarvis in Sequim, Washington. He primarily lived and worked his entire life on the farm he grew up on in Agnew on Finn Hall Rd. His sister Nancy was born in 1939 and his cousin Roy Harding came to live with them during their high school years.
After graduating from Sequim High School in 1949, John went to Washington State University in Pullman, WA for a year. Next he enlisted in the Navy with a buddy and became a radioman for the USS Weiss. He was stationed off the waters of Korea and Japan during the Korean War. Four years later he came back home and married his sister’s best friend Carmen Stence (Schmuck) in 1956.
They moved to Pullman again so John could continue with his studies of animal husbandry. With more education under his belt the couple moved back to Agnew to take over the dairy farm from his parents.
In 1957 their only daughter Suzie was born. Years later, John’s nephew Duane Schmuck came to live and work on the farm adding a “brother” to the family.
John and Carmen continued dairy farming for a number of years providing jobs for several men and women in the community. Many wonderful memories were had by all who worked on the farm or came by to visit. It was often heard said the FARM with Uncle John and Auntie Carmen was a place to come home, to get grounded, and to always feel love and support.
The dairy cows were sold in the 80’s and replaced with beef cows and hay production. John got a job on a mail route delivering mail until he “retired” to tend to his garden, the cows, and the hay.
In 2005 he traveled to Finland for a family reunion reconnecting with relatives he had only seen once or twice and meeting many more. Great memories were made and new relationships established.
Another highlight was becoming a Grand Pioneer in 2009 and riding a float pulled by a team of horses in the Irrigation Parade.
In 2011 the North Olympic Land Trust bought the development rights to the 60 acres of Finn Hall Farm. This enabled John and Carmen to really retire without having to sell off part of the land for income. The land will forever remain a farm!
Though John was always busy farming he managed to serve in a several organizations over the years: The Clallam County Conservation Board, Korean Veterans Association, and the Sequim Museum and Art Center to name a few.
John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Carmen Jarvis, daughter Suzie Bliven (Peter), granddaughter Jonel Lyons (Justin Pollak), special nephew Duane Schmuck (Marsha), sister Nancy Hagar (Larry) and gobs of adoring nieces and nephews, grand and great as well (you know who you are!)
He was preceded in death by his parents Ero and Olga Jarvis.
A graveside service will be held at Mount Angeles Memorial Park in Port Angeles at 11 a.m. on September 30. A Celebration of Life potluck will be held afterward at 1:00 at Finn Hall Farm in Agnew. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to any Veterans associations of your choice.
