Glenna Rae Van Boxtel
April 1, 1934 – June 6, 2021
Glenna Rae (Durham, Speratos) Van Boxtel passed away on June 6, 2021 at the Ray Hickey Hospice House at the age of 87.
Glenna was born in Swain, Arkansas on April 1 of 1934. Her parents homesteaded 40 acres and built a log cabin. While living there with sons Hershel, Paul, and Ron, Glenna and Jimmie were born. Life was tough and a three-year drought devastated their attempts to grow any crops. When Jimmie was seven months old the family of seven, plus three other people decided to travel west. They rode in the back of an old pickup truck with only their bedding and camping gear heading for Washington State. Carol was born later after they settled in Port Angeles, WA.
Glenna married George Speratos and settled in Vancouver, WA in 1961 with her daughter and son. She was employed with First Independent Bank for 19 years. She loved the banking profession and was supervisor of a large number of teller staff at the Hazel Dell branch for many years. In 1976 Glenna became the first female to be promoted to a bank manager position. She was assigned the Sifton branch. The following year she opened the brand-new Brush Prairie branch managing both until her retirement in 1980. Glenna raised her children, attended night courses to achieve her bachelor’s degree and served on various committees and business associations throughout those years.
Glenna married Vernon (Van) Van Boxtel in 1974, so upon retirement it was the high seas for them. They loved to cruise and made many trips throughout the Caribbean and Bahamian islands going through the Panama Canal twice and a couple of trips to Alaska. They also were able to visit Japan and spent many winters in Kona, Hawaii.
Glenna is survived by her daughter Roni Stephens (Mark), Van’s children John Van Boxtel (Carol), Ardis Nelson (Curt), Glen Van Boxtel (Betty), Gary Leroy (Rita), and Lynn Reichmann. Glenna had 18 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her first husband George Speratos, second husband Vernon Van Boxtel, son Lee Speratos, parents Pearl and Lee Durham, and brothers Hershel, Paul and Ron.
Her memorial will be held at 1 p.m. July 17, 2021 at The Gathering Place church in Vancouver, WA. The family of Glenna wishes to thank the medical professionals at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center and the Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver, WA.
