Linda Ardelle Dailidenas

Linda Ardelle Dailidenas, 66, died on March 7, 2018, of natural causes in Clallam County.

There are no services planned at this time.

She was born Nov. 20, 1951.

Roderic Rockwell Grubb

Roderic Rockwell Grubb, 83, of Sequim, passed away, Wednesday, February 21, 2018. Roderic is survived by his wife Linda, of 38 years, daughter Lisa (Vernon) Van Dyne and many loving grandchildren and extended family.

Roderic was raised in Wichita, Kansas, graduating from Wichita High School East in 1952 and Wichita State University in 1956, where he attended on a basketball scholarship. He also served as the Phi Upsilon Sigma president (now recognized as Phi Delta Theta) during his last year. Following graduation, he entered the USAF where he served as a pilot and earned a master degree in education, until retiring in 1978. Later, as a professor of aerospace studies at Michigan State University, he received a Ph.D. in higher education administration.

During his careers, Roderic enjoyed living and teaching in 75 foreign countries including Scotland, England, Germany, Italy, the Azores, Turkey, Korea and Japan. Upon retirement, he and his wife built a home facing the Strait of Juan de Fuca in Sequim.

A special thank you to Roderic’s medical teams for their loving care and to friends and family for their continued support and prayers.

Linda K. Neal

June 13, 1943 – February 14, 2018

Registered Nurse and Certified Diabetes Educator was born on June 13, 1943, daughter of Lucas and Inette Wetsch, in Thief River Falls Minnesota and passed away on February 14, 2018 from natural causes.

She grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota and graduated from Cathedral High School in Rapid City. She attended Holy Cross Hospital School of Nursing in Salt Lake City and Regis College and St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing in Denver as well as Mesa College in San Diego.

A long time member of the American Diabetes Assoc., she served on the National Education and Research Committees. During her nursing career, Linda worked as Charge Nurse in Pediatrics in Neonatal Intensive Care and High Risk Obstetrical Units. She said her best job was as Clinical Research Coordinator, San Diego Endocrine and Medical Clinics where she participated in Clinical trials and was a named contributor on several endocrine research publications.

Linda married Richard Neal on January 21, 1989 and they both retired in Sequim in 1999. Linda was an intelligent, warm, courageous, wonderful wife and mother who fought various health issues over many years.

She was a long time member of St. Luke’s Episcopal church in Sequim and her faith in her Lord and Savior was very strong. She touched the lives of many in such a positive way and will be greatly missed.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Tom and her sister Patricia. She is survived by her husband Richard, son and daughter-in law Steven and Betsy Spittell, Columbus, Ohio; son Anthony Spittell, Orlando, Florida; grand children Katy Spittell, Aaron Spittell, and Andrew Spittell; stepdaughter Jennifer Neal, Davie, Florida; and Step Son Lance and Denise Neal, Bullhead City, Arizona.

There will be a celebration of Linda’s life at St. Luke’s Church at 540 N 5th St. in Sequim at 11 am on April 3, 2018 followed by a reception in the parish hall. Please no flowers, consider a donation to the American Diabetes Association.

Docia Rosa Barber

January 28, 1927 – February 13, 2018

Docia (Dot) Haidek Gaine Barber was born in Prince Rupert Canada. Her parents came to Canada from the Ukraine during the period of the Russian Revolution. During the Second World War she fell in love with an American Merchant Marine, ‘Bud’ Lloyd Cyrill Gaine. They married and she moved with her husband to Arlington, Washington and then eventually to Mike Horse, Montana, where Bud worked in the mines. Dot had two sons, Kenneth Lloyd Gaine born in Everett, 1945 and Mitchell Lee Gaine born in Montana, 1950.

After relocating back to Washington State, Dot worked for Kress’s and Woolworths in downtown Seattle. In 1959 she became a widow, as her husband passed away suddenly from an apparent heart attack. During this period, she started working for Lindy’s Shoe Store as a clerk and head book keeper. She stayed with them until the store closed in 1989/1990 and she retired.

In 1961 Docia married again to Woodrow Duncan Barber, a machinist for Kenworth Trucks. She was widowed again in 1977.

Docia had what others would call a ‘Green Thumb’. She could make anything grow; a pinched leaf, a rose bouquet… Within no time, new roots would show up and she would welcome another plant to the world.

Photography and painting were both loves she took up in the 1970’s and she had quite the talent for them both. She painted mostly land or seascapes, which she either kept or gave away to friends and relatives. During this time, she also discovered her love of traveling. With a small group of friends, she traveled around the world: England, Ireland, France, Spain, Russia, China, Greece, Australia, New Zealand and even Santa’s Hideaway, The North Pole.

Docia is survived by her two sons and their families: Son Ken, daughter in-law Trish and grandchildren Ken, Amy and Matthew. Son Mitch, daughter in-law Anne and grandchildren Andy and Ryan. She also leaves behind 9 beautiful great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held on March 18th at the Puyallup home of her son Mitch. For additional information about the celebration, please call 360-683-2409.

Esther Heuhslein Nelson

May 14, 1928 – March 1, 2018

Happy “almost 90” birthday, Mom. All you wanted was to leave behind lots of love, and you certainly did that.

Esther Heuhslein Nelson, much loved mother, “gramma” and friend, passed away on March 1, 2018.

Esther Heuhslein Nelson was born in Port Angeles May 14, 1928 to Nick and Esther Chambers Heushlein, pioneers of Agnew and Fairview. She grew up at the family farm, “The Agnew Dairy and Poultry Farm,” with brother Russ and sisters, Dorothy and Barbara. She was expert in milking cows and putting in hay, not only on her family farms (the big white barn on the hill on Heuhslein Road in Agnew and the big red barn on the highway in Fairview where the winery is) but, during World War ll, when most of the young men were serving their country, she helped neighboring farmers. She was active in the 4-H Club raising a large garden, rabbits, canning, baking and sewing, for which she won a trip to Chicago in 1946.

Esther graduated from Sequim High School in 1946. She attended WSU and took business classes in Bellingham, returning to Port Angeles in 1949. After raising her children, while still working full time, she earned her associate of arts degree from Peninsula College. For 32 years, she was employed as a counselor for the Washington State Employment Office in Port Angeles. The day after retiring, she married Ray Nelson of Sequim. They spent many years traveling and dancing until he passed away in 2015.

Esther’s first marriage blessed her with two children that she raised almost independently in Port Angeles, WA. Daughter Vickie Crane is a retired teacher in Lynden, WA. Son Nick Larson and his wife Sandy reside in Port Angeles. She has two grandchildren, Pam Schmidt (Jeff) of Othello, WA and Bill Schroepfer, Jr (Tammy) of Sequim, WA. Her six great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren brought her many smiles.

Esther planned to spend her later life as a “volunteer” and she did it in style, filling her calendar with organization and club events like Sequim Chamber of Commerce, Sequim Valley Lions Club, Sequim Prairie Grange Auxiliary, Agnew Helpful Neighbors Club, Sequim Senior Center, Sequim Museum and Arts, Veterans of Foreign War Ladies Auxiliary, Clallam County Transit, Lady Elks Club, Sequim All School Class Reunion, IAWP, Retired Public Employees, and others.

As part of a pioneer family on both her mother’s and father’s sides, she knew the history of the area well and used that knowledge to help with the publication of both editions of Sequim-Pioneer Family Histories and to create a notebook about old school houses in the Sequim area and give presentations about them through the Sequim Museum of Arts Center and Clallam County Historical Society.

Esther’s family is proud of her work in the community and glad to know of the special recognitions she earned, including: Sequim Citizen of the Year, Clallam County Fair Senior Royalty Princess, WA St. Visitor Information Center Volunteer of the Year, Sequim Lady of Elks Woman of Year, Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Marshall, Rotary International Paul Harris Fellows Award, Lions Club Melvin Jones Fellows Award, Sequim Irrigation Festival Grand Pioneer.

Sherwood Assisted Living was Esther’s “home” for the last two years. We cannot thank them enough for the love and attention they gave her. The staff and residents became part of her “family” and enjoyed her daily offerings of hugs, smiles, and chocolate bars.

A celebration of Esther Heushlein Nelson’s life will be held later. The time and place will be announced in the Peninsula Daily News and Sequim Gazette. We hope you will attend and share your memories of Esther with other friends and family. Memorials may be made to charities of choice.

Flavia Elizabeth Roach

December 28, 1932 – March 3, 2018

Flavia Elizabeth Roach passed away on Saturday, March 3, 2018 at her home in DuPont, Washington with family members by her side. She was 85.

Mrs. Roach was born on December 28, 1932 in Seattle, Washington to Elsa Christensen and Russell Gierin. She grew up in Seattle and Sequim, Washington and graduated from Annie Wright Schools in Tacoma. She attended Whitman College and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Francisco.

She met her husband, Francis L. Roach, in San Francisco in 1954. She was working at the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company and he was a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy. They married in 1955 and had five children.

A Roman Catholic with a deep interest in her faith and helping others, Mrs. Roach was an active member of every parish in which she and her husband lived. She also volunteered for the Navy Relief Society during her husband’s naval career, devoting thousands of hours to assisting Navy families.

After her husband’s retirement, the couple moved to Sequim, where they were active in church ministries and local civic, charity and youth organizations, including the Sequim-Yamasaki Sister City Association and the Boys and Girls Club of Clallam County.

While pursuing a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Seattle University, which she earned in 1997, Mrs. Roach became a volunteer chaplain for several Seattle hospitals, including Harborview Medical Center. She learned Spanish and Japanese to more effectively offer grace, compassion and spiritual support to the patients she visited.

A survivor of breast, skin and thyroid cancers, she served as a facilitator for several cancer support groups. She was known for her insight, sense of humor, empathy and her abiding example of grace, faith and tenacity.

Mrs. Roach was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years. She is survived by her children: Cathy Grimes; Russell Roach and his wife Jo; Richard Roach and his wife Diane; Eric Roach and his wife Leane; and John Roach and his wife Gail. She also is survived by eight grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Her family is comforted by knowing the Lord greeted her with open arms.

Mountain View Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements. At her request, services will be private. Burial will at Dungeness Cemetery in Sequim.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people make donations to their local Boys and Girls Clubs or food bank.

Kenneth Ellsworth Miller

Kenneth Ellsworth Miller was born February 25, 1944. His life was full and rich with experiences and family. His father was in the military for all of Ken’s youth and they traveled the world. His most vivid childhood memories were of Japan and High School in Killeen, Texas. Travel and military service were in his blood. He went to college to prepare for joining the Army and getting into flight school, in the hopes of becoming a helicopter pilot. Never one to be deterred, when he wasn’t accepted into flight school he applied to the Special Forces. He completed the necessary training, including jump school and proudly served as a Staff Sergeant for three years as a Demolitionist cross-trained in Small Arms within a Green Beret A Team in Germany.

Upon returning to the States, Ken completed the Warrant Officer program and was accepted into flight school. He flew in Vietnam with the 281st AHC. He was proud to be part of the Wolfpack, a support helicopter gunship unit for the 5th Special Forces. He was a decorated officer who was awarded numerous military campaign and service medals. Most notably and the one he was the most proud of was the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was also awarded two Bronze Stars and the Air Medal, as well as several other service and campaign medals.

After Vietnam he met his future wife, 2nd Lt. Sharyn Boody, Army Nurse Corps. They were married May 22, 1970, and had four beautiful children of whom they could not be more proud. Ken retired from the military in May of 1983 as a Major and moved to the Port Angeles area to raise his family. He went from decorated military officer to setting up shop as a Farrier, enjoying his retirement making horses feel better and raising his family. After six years he began a third career, Author. He wrote one book which he self-published and sold nationally and internationally, Have you Kicked Your Horseshoer Today. He also wrote seventeen screen plays. One, Missing in America, made it to production, starring Danny Glover, Linda Hamilton, Ron Perlman, David Strathairn and Zoe Weizenbaum.

Shortly after this production Ken suffered a stroke and he stopped writing. But nothing stopped him from having an active relationship with his children and grandchildren and his many grandchildren adopted into his heart. Ken lived a full and wonderful life surrounded by those that loved him. He loved racquetball, paintball, scuba, water and snow skiing, and collecting cars. In his later years he discovered his love for golf and spent many happy times on the green. Ken is survived by his sisters, JeanAnn Lynch, Debbie Duffy (Jeff), his devoted wife Sharyn, his children Shane (Coral), Jody, Scott (Katheena), and Clint. His grandchildren, Curtis, Brynn, Brianna, Sophia, Allyson, Kaylena, Emma and Aubri. Ken died March 1, 2018, with his wife at his side. His tee-shirts, sense of adventure, and infectious laugh will be missed by all that knew him. He was not only a decorated military hero, but a hero to his family. A celebration of life will be held March 17th from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm at the Dungeness Meadows club house, at 461 Dungeness Meadows (off of River Road) in Sequim. Dress is casual. The family requests contributions to the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle.

Carl Q. Rice

September 25, 1926 – March 8, 2018

Carl Q. Rice of Sequim passed away March 8, 2018. He was born September 25th, 1926 in Centralia Washington to Carl and Lulu Rice.

He grew up in Castle Rock, Morton and Toutle Washington. He enlisted in the Army the middle of his high school senior year, serving in the Luzon campaign 103rd battalion. After the war ended he went to Japan assigned to the Army Air Corps and served as a P-51 engine mechanic. His troop ship coming home docked in Seattle Washington on his birthday, September 25, 1946.

Carl took advantage of the G.I. Bill attending Montana School of Mines in Butte, Montana, graduating in 1953 with a Mining Engineer Degree. He then worked for US Gypsum in Lewistown, Montana where he met his love, Helen. They had 3 children, Warren, Lori and Charles. They were married for 57 years. Carl loved his years in Montana, the hunting and fishing and his many friends.

His work for USG took Carl and Helen to live in many places. In Empire, Nevada, Plaster City, California, Union City, Tennessee, and Westminster, California. While living in Nevada, Carl bought one of the first campers on the market and the family traveled! One year driving the camper all the way to Mexico City, and another special trip was to Washington D.C.

Retiring in 1987 Carl and Helen moved to Sequim. His joy was fishing, crabbing and clamming. He was very active in the Masonic Lodge and Shriners, Methodist Church and Sequim Valley Car Club. For many summers they had the four grandsons, taking them camping and fishing, and all working in the yard. Many special memories.

In September, 2016 Helen had a surprise 90th birthday party in his honor. Two weeks later he went on a Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in recognition of his service during World War II. He was very proud of his family, country and the Flag.

Survived by wife Helen, sister Frances, sons Warren and wife Vickie, Charles and wife Carlyn and daughter Lori. Grandson’s Jon, Alan and wife Paige, Shane, Kevin and wife Amanda. Three great grandsons, Hunter, Hudson and Luke.

Services Thursday, March 15, 2018 at 2 p.m., at the Masonic Lodge,

Memorials to Trinity United Methodist Church, Shine Hospital.