Jacqueline Jane Ledgerwood
Jacqueline Jane Ledgerwood of Sequim died of natural causes at the age of 92 on March 15, 2019.
Kathleen M King
January 22, 1947 – February 20, 2019
Kathy lost her courageous six month battle with stage IV non small cell lung cancer. Her next-to-the-last chemo-immune therapy treatment caused her to develop an infection that could not be overcome at the Port Townsend Hospital. They valiantly tried to save her for seven days to no avail. Kathy was a dear wife, daughter and sister who will be so sorely missed.
Kathy was a friend to so many people and after being a hostess at Seven Cedars Casino, for 16 years, seemed to know everyone in Jefferson and Clallam counties. She worked at the Port Townsend Elks Lodge as an event coordinator for the last year before her cancer diagnosis.
Kathy is survived by her husband of 15 years, Ron Klopfenstein; brother, Wayne (Peggy) King of Gardiner; nieces, a nephew and their children. Kathy had no children, but was adopted by Ron’s five children and became known as ‘GMA Kathy’ to a whole bevy of little ones that came and camped, at her beloved private park in Gardiner, over the 4th of July each year.
A Celebration of Kathy’s Life will be held at Port Townsend Elks Lodge at 555 Otto St. on March 30th, beginning at 1 PM. A pot luck will follow the service.
All that knew Kathy are welcome and encouraged to attend and celebrate the life of our dearest Kathy.
Jeffrey Jon Pearson
December 3, 1973 – March 12, 2019
With deepest sorrow we announce Jeff, our most beloved son, brother, family member, soulmate and friend, passed away suddenly while suffering complications of influenza.
Those who knew Jeff, even just a little, lost a shining light in their lives. Jeff will be missed every day by so many. Jeff loved the outdoors and the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
He is survived by his Mother, Marcie Wakefield and husband, Lee; his Father, Wayne Pearson and wife, Lisa; Soulmate and Love of his life, Nathalie Summers; his stepbrothers, Lee and Chad Wakefield; Uncles; Aunts; Cousins; and many great friends.
He will also be dearly missed by Michael and Candy McQuay and his Kokopelli/Coyote family.
An open house Celebration of Jeff’s Life will be Sunday, March 31, at Kokopelli Grill from 2-5 PM.
Jerri Diane Campbell
November 29, 1960 – February 11, 2019
Jerri Diane Campbell passed away, from cancer, at the Olympic Medical Center. She was born on November 29, 1960, to Joyce and John Russeff, in Longview.
She graduated from Denton High School and moved to the Olympic Peninsula in 1990, with her husband, Ron, for his work.
Jerri was an insulation installer, in Sequim, from 1990 to 2003. In 2003, she switched to roofing installer until 2013. She was a hard worker, never shying away from any job. She always put her family above everything. Gardening was a favorite activity and she always looked forward to spring flower planting. Jerri also loved all types of crafts.
Jerri is preceded in death by husband, Ron.
She is survived by husband, Rob Burwash; sons, Josh Campbell and Joe (Sara) Campbell, of Sequim; stepsons, Glade Campbell of Albany, Oregon, and Scotty Campbell of Rio Linda, California; parents, John and Joyce Russeff; sister, Marty (Rod), and Virginia; brothers, Mitch (Marzieh), Terry (Beth), Tim and Richard; and grandchildren, Makenzie Campbell and Ashton Campbell of Sequim.
The funeral is scheduled for May 4, 2019, at 2 PM, at the Sequim Valley Chapel, 108 W. Alder, Sequim, with a reception following at the Sequim Elks Lodge, 143 Port Williams Rd., Sequim, at about 3:30 PM.
Ray Gilbert
December 9, 1927 – February 28, 2019
Ray Gilbert became an SK (stands for Silent Key), in February 2019. He was 91 years old. He died of complications from Parkinson’s Disease.
Ray was passionate about amateur radio and held the FCC call sign K7VQF. He always said the VQF stood for Very Quiet Fellow, and he was. Ray was an avid Ham who used Morse code to communicate around the world. He was very active in the Clallam Counties Amateur Radio Emergency Services (ARES); an organization that is part of the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Unit. They provide backup communication during major emergency events. He donated many hours and equipment to that organization.
Ray had a long and enjoyable career at Boeing for forty years. He was hired in August, 1952, and retired November, 1992. He retired as Supervisor of the Tool-Design section.
Another activity was volunteering on rebuilding an antique Boeing 307. He commuted from Sequim to a hangar at Boeing during the rebuild. He specialized in the radio equipment portion. Ray liked to buy authentic parts on eBay and other locations and add them to the project.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Betty; and sister, Shirley Slupsky.
He is survived by his sister, Donna Holm.
Ray was a very private person and did not wish for a celebration of life.
Donald Keith Nielsen
Donald Keith Nielsen was born August 25, 1933, on the kitchen table of his family home in Seattle. It was the depression years; the doctor came to the home, was paid $5.00, given a drink of whisky and promised payment later as able.
Don grew up in Seattle, graduated from Roosevelt High, and served with the Marine Corps as Sergeant in the Korean War. Don received four medals and an honorable discharge after his service in the Marines. Using the GI Bill and working summers in the Alaska fishing industry, Don graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Accounting. Don worked in public accounting as a partner in the firm of Baumgartner, Nielsen & Hull, CPAs. Don completed his professional career as the financial controller of Proctor & Associates of Redmond.
Don married Patricia. They had three sons, Daniel Eric, Dean Christian and Mark Anders. In 1975, Don married Frances Burhart and her sons, Scot Dean Burhart and Jeffrey Allen Burhart. They later had daughter, Laura Jane, who married Carleton McHenry.
Don had faith in his Savior Jesus Christ and knew heaven with Jesus would be his eternal home. Don’s faith and giving heart was always available to help another when he knew the need. Don served as a volunteer fireman with the Woodinville Fire Department for sixteen years, working up to the Battalion Chief position. He gave his accounting skills to his local church, Sequim Bible, as well as in Woodinville. He volunteered for Tax Aid several years, plus helping numerous ones over the years who needed his accounting skills. Don enjoyed giving out bibles with his fellow Gideon’s, and being a prayer partner for church Gideon presentations. Don’s heart always reached out to those standing on the corners needing a hand out, even to the point to drive around the block to hand out the $5 bill he always had ready on his visor.
Don had a lifelong passion for fishing. He loved catching fish, but his soul was rejuvenated and at peace being out with family and friends, enjoying the calm and beauty of God’s Creation.
Don leaves his wife, Fran; their five sons and wives; daughter, Laura and her husband, Carleton McHenry, and the baby Laura and Carleton are expecting in June. Don also leaves twelve grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren; his sister, Millie Myers; brother, Norman Nielsen; and his nieces and nephews.
Don is so missed by those who knew him, but we are grateful for our Savior who has welcomed him home.
A Memorial service will be held for Don on March 30, 1 PM, at Sequim Bible Church, 847 N. Sequim Avenue.
In honor of Don, contributions may be made to the Salvation Army.
Leo Leonard Bidne
June 20, 1954 – March 6, 2019
Leo Leonard Bidne, surrounded by his wife and children, passed away peacefully at home on March 6, 2019, after an extended battle with cancer. Not only was he a beloved husband, father, and Papa, he was also a talented, hardworking, gentle man who was a well-known, much-loved figure on the Olympic Peninsula.
He was born June 20, 1954, in Tacoma, to Oliver Leonard Bidne, Jr. and Ruby Evelyn (Hyde) Bidne. He grew up in Tacoma, graduating from Franklin Pierce High School in 1972, eventually relocating to Port Angeles, in 1979, at the urging of Russell May, one of his best friends.
Aside from an eight-year stint as a TV/VCR repairman, his career mostly revolved around the music world. From singing at bar mitzvahs as a teenager to performing in various local bands, eventually writing and singing songs of his own music flowed out of him as naturally as breathing. But his musical skills weren’t limited to singing. He knew how to play countless musical instruments, as well as being an accomplished audio-video producer, sound-system installer, musical instrument repairman, and musical instrument maker (luthier). He could be found at Strait Music, in Port Angeles, for the past 23 years, eventually deciding to officially open Leo’s Repair and Recording business at the same location.
Leo’s interests and abilities knew no bounds. At the age of 19, the first guitar he ever built was created from a wooden orange crate. He was one of the founding members of the Guild of American Luthiers, a guild for musical instrument makers. In 2016, he submitted “Time,” a memorial video honoring William M. Clarke, to the Port Townsend Film Festival. It was chosen as one of ten films in the Reviewer’s Choice Narrative Shorts category. It was an example of how Leo masterfully crafted memorial videos, trying to carefully portray the heart and soul of people he had often never met. And when the neighbor children wanted to make a Star Wars fan film, Leo went all-out. From sewing costumes to using a green-screen, from filming and editing to producing and special effects… he did it all. Any skill he set his mind to learn, he learned… never truly understanding why others couldn’t always do the same.
The loss of Leo’s talent, knowledge, and generous heart is incalculable … both to his family and the community at large. Each year he recorded the songs the Irrigation Festival royalty sang. In recent years he had been creating commercials for the Clallam County Fair, including custom animations. He took many people “under his wing” as he tried to help them reach their potential. Be it neighbor children who wanted to make a Star Wars fan film, local musicians (some with more talent than money), grandchildren that loved to hang around their Papa, or his author-wife as she dove into self-publishing, he tried to help each of them reach their dreams. No dream was too small …or too big.
His marriage to Kristine Bear in 1973 ended in divorce. He later married Kristine Rains on June 8th, 1986, one year from the day of their first date.
Leo is survived by his wife, Kristine (Rains) Bidne; sons, Kyle Bidne of Federal Way and David Bidne of Port Angeles; daughter, Sarah Bidne of Bellevue; grandchildren, Annella, Benjamin and Gabriella of Bellevue; granddaughter, Hannah of Port Angeles; mother, Ruby (Hyde) Bidne of Tacoma; sister and brother-in-law, Sherrie and Bruce Johnston of Puyallup; sister and brother-in-law, Sheryl and Gary Kirkham of Puyallup; brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Maurice Bidne of Puyallup, and sister, Patricia Bidne of Lakewood. He was preceded in death by his father, Oliver Leonard Bidne, Jr.; his son-in-law, Jeremiah Wayne Smith; and his granddaughter, Jasmine Kristine Smith.
Live long and prosper, Leo… and may the sidewalk always be with you.
There will be a memorial service at 9 AM at Dungeness Community Church (42 Eberle Lane, Sequim, WA, 98382) on March 30, 2019, with a reception following. Immediately following the reception, there will be a graveside service at 1 PM at Ocean View Cemetery (3127 West 18th St., Port Angeles, WA, 98363).
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to Leo Bidne’s Memorial Fund at any First Federal Savings & Loan location. Also, please feel free to write out any special “Leo stories” to give to the family as they are compiling a notebook full of such memories.
