Elaine Margaret Leptich

March 29, 1922 ~ January 3, 2018

Elaine Leptich passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 3, 2018 from natural causes.

She was born March 29, 1922 in Kankakee, Illinois to Mack and Margaret Kneadler in their family home. She was the oldest of three children.

In May of 1930, Elaine and her family relocated to Washington State after her father was offered a job at her aunt and uncles Dairy farm in Enumclaw. She Graduated from Ballard High School in 1939 with the nickname “Frenchie” and would later marry her high school sweetheart, Harold Toft Sr. Together Elaine and Harold Sr. had three children, Priscilla, Harold Jr and Daniel. They divorced and she would later marry Joseph Leptich in 1954 and had five children, Mary, Gina, John, Kim and Chris. They divorced in 1986.

Elaine worked hard and supported her family being a Machinist at Sunstrand Data Control for 23 years. She retired from there and later moved to Sequim, Washington in 1988 to enjoy her retirement and help raise her granddaughters.

Elaine was very active and known for her volunteer work. She was heavily involved in the Sequim Senior Center and Catholic Community Services. Her favorite thing to do was drive fellow seniors to their medical appoints and accompany them on their daily errands once they were unable to go by themselves. She created long lasting friendships and of course was the center of much appreciation during her time volunteering. She was even awarded Volunteer of the Year by Catholic Community Services.

She was also known for the love she had for all her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She was very proud of each and every one of them and somehow always found the time to make sure she attended sporting events, school functions, graduations, weddings, etc. Her house was decorated in their pictures, newspaper articles, and awards.

If you couldn’t find Elaine volunteering or visiting with any of her family, she would be watching her beloved Seattle Mariners, Seattle Seahawks and Gonzaga Bulldogs. She was a diehard Seattle sports fan up until her death and one of her greatest joys was going to Mariners Training Camp in Arizona. You could spot her in the stands hanging out with her friends and their matching lime green hats.

Elaine was an incredible woman, who was loved by many. She will be greatly missed by all that had the opportunity to know her and spend time with her.

She is survived by Sons Harold Toft Jr, Daniel Toft, John Leptich (Julie), and Christopher Leptich; Daughters Mary Wheeler, Gina Zent (Ron), and Kimberly Tomajko (Frank); Her 19 Grandchildren; Her 22 Great Grand Children; and Her First Great Great Granddaughter.

Elaine was preceded in death by her parents Mack and Margaret Kneadler; Her Brothers William R and Jackie L Kneadler; Her Beloved Daughter Priscilla Elaine Toft Roesler; Her Daughter in Law Laree Toft; Her Son in Law Jeffrey Wheeler; Her Great Grandson Dominic Reed Kennedy

Services were held Friday, January 12, 2018, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Sequim. .

“Love me Tender/Love me Sweet/Never let me go

You have made my life complete/ and I love you so” – Elvis Presley

Jacob Savage

May 3, 2004 – December 17, 2017

It is with the greatest sorrow we announce the passing of our son Jacob Savage. Jacob lost his 18 month battle with cancer on December. 17, 2017 at Seattle Children’s Hospital at age 13. The cancer took him from us way too soon.

Jacob was born May 3, 2004 in Port Angeles. He loved playing with his sisters, dogs and video games. Jacob was in the 7th grade at Sequim Middle School.

He is survived by his parents Dawn and Bill, sisters Megan and Katie and his grandparents Duane (Butch) and Mary Jensen

The family would like to thank all of our friends and the staff at the Sequim Boys and Girls club for all the love and support they have given Jacob and our family as we went through this difficult time. We would also like to thank the medical professionals at Seattle Children’s Hospital for the outstanding care they gave Jacob over the last 18 months.

In Jacob’s memory, The Sequim Boys and Girls Club are managing a memorial scholarship for teens with Special Needs. Donations can be sent to The Boys and Girls Club 400 W. Fir St, Sequim, WA 98382. No memorial is scheduled at this time.

Jerilyn Lorraine Smith

September 23, 1949 – January 7, 2018

Jerilyn Lorraine Smith, age 68, died unexpectedly on January 7, 2018. Though we grieve her loss, we rejoice that she is at rest with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Jeri is survived by Ronald Neil Smith, her husband of 50 years and their four children: Sheri Huisman, “Der” Smith, Joshua Smith, and Matt Smith. She leaves 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren and has been reunited with one grandson in heaven.

Jeri was born in Port Angeles Hospital on September 23, 1949, daughter of Clair Lee and Pearl Ester Gilchrist. She has 2 brothers and 1 sister: Ken Gilchrist, Roger Gilchrist, and Leah Bartle.

Jeri was the property manager/bookkeeper for Smith Family Enterprises for 40 years. From 1986 to 1992, Jeri worked as a receptionist/secretary for several businesses; from 1993 to 1996 as a customer rep at Interwest Bank; then as an office manager/bookkeeper at Lynden Chamber of Commerce. She was the office administrator for the Sequim Chamber of Commerce for 17 years. She loved her community so much that she continued volunteering at the Chamber of Serenity House after retirement. Jeri was honored as the Grand Marshal of the Sequim Irrigation Festival.

She grew up a farm girl and loved running, climbing, and exploring the great outdoors. She loved animals and helping her dad around the farm. She enjoyed old movies, playing board games, drawing, writing and playing picklebll with her husband and friends. She deeply loved her family and the Lord God Almighty. Jeri’s precious caring spirit won the hearts of everyone.

Her memorial service is January 20 at 2:00 p.m. at Dungeness Community Church and will be led by her brother and pastor Ken Gilchrist.

Larue I. Born

107, Now in Heaven

Larue I. Born passed away on January 10, 2018. She had 107 productive, adventuresome years on this earth.

She was born in 1910 in Wenatchee to Levi and Effie Miller. She had two older sisters, Mary and Violet. She moved to Deer Park, Washington and later to Yakima, Washington.

She attended Northwest Nazarene College in 1929-30 where she majored in music, especially piano and became quite proficient and later taught.

In 2013 at age 103 she returned to the same college, now a university, for its centennial celebration, being the oldest alumna there. She enjoyed a women’s basketball game and later partook of a cupcake or two, and a concert.

She married Eugene W. Born in 1931, lived in Yakima and had two children, Glenn who currently lives in Sequim, and Kenneth who resides in Olympia.

Larue and Eugene later moved to a fruit farm in Sunnyside, Washington, in 1951. They retired in 1968 and moved to Sequim where they enjoyed traveling and entertaining musically at churches, nursing homes and various community organizations.

Larue played organ and piano and Eugene, the harmonica. When they both were in their 90’s they still enjoyed playing for the “Old Folks.”

Larue and Gene were married for 73 years.

Larue was an adventuresome spirit. At 100 and 103 she took a lengthy ride on a motorcycle and loved it! She also was an avid writer and started painting in her 100’s.

What was Larue’s philosophy of life? “Love the Lord, don’t live too much in the past, enjoy the present, and constantly make new memories.” Oh, and drink your vinegar, eat home made sauerkraut and pickles and take your vitamins. “Stay away from doctors, they’ll kill you.”

Thank you Dear Lord for blessing us with Larue’s presence for 107 years!

Thank you Dear Larue for the fun, laughter, music and your loving influence in our lives.

A Celebration of Life will take place at the Olympic View Church of God on January 20, at 2:00 p.m.