Ann Elizabeth Fisher
May 12, 1943 – March 3, 2023
Ann Elizabeth passed away peacefully in her sleep after a long battle with Alzheimer’s on the morning of Friday, March 3.
Ann Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband, Jim and is survived by her stepdaughters Karen and Tracy, granddaughter Megan, honorary brother Michael Gordon and dozens of loving, lifelong friendships.
Ann and Jim moved from Torrance, CA to Sequim, WA as they both “semi-retired.” Ann then continued to work for several years in Real Estate.
She was known for her warm heart, kind nature, creative jewelry making and stunning photography.
There will be a Celebration of Life event at a later date.
Submitted photo / Dolores “Dee” (Barbour) Olbu
Dolores ‘Dee’ (Barbour) Olbu
January 28, 1931-October 16, 2022
Dolores “Dee” (Barbour) Olbu lived a life beyond her wildest dreams as a child of the Great Depression. She got a fake ID as a girl — not to get into bars, but to get a job. She spent her teenage years working as a soda jerk at Bartell’s Drug Store and giving pony rides at the Woodland Park Zoo.
Dee enjoyed baton twirling and dancing as a girl. She performed in parades and in nursing homes, often for soldiers returning home. She went on to teach baton, Hawaiian Dancing and Tap Dancing to adults and children for many years.
In 1964, she led a group of 20 young baton twirlers to compete in the New York World’s Fair. The girls and chaperones all enjoyed that memorable trip and Dee discovered the excitement of organizing such adventures.
Dee was “Greenwood Queen of Lights” the year the Greenwood District was getting electric street lights. Queen Dolores had the honor of throwing the switch to illuminate the streets for the very first time.
As Queen of Lights, she also represented the Greenwood District as a Seafair Princess. The U.S. Navy sent a contingent of officers from Sand Point Naval Air Station to escort the Seafair Royalty to an evening gala. Dee quickly fell for her escort, a tall, handsome Naval Aviator from Spokane. She returned home late that night and woke her mother to declare, “I had so much fun and I’ve met the man I’m going to marry,” to which her mother replied, “Have you been drinking? Go to bed.” Dee was, in fact, clearheaded. She married that Naval Aviator, Leo R. Olbu, just three months later. They celebrated 63 years together before he passed in 2014.
Always energetic and enthusiastic, Dee loved being a housewife and mother to Leilani and Leo Jr. She also enjoyed a variety of jobs over the years. She worked in the personnel department at the Boeing Company and her key take away from that was, “If you want a job, keep coming back. Persistence pays off.” Her hobby of looking at houses became a career when Dee became a realtor after the children were raised. Though she enjoyed real estate and was top seller the year she worked, she soon gave it up for her new passion, skiing.
She learned to ski as an adult while chaperoning the kids’ ski busses. When the kids moved on, she found her own group of ski friends and organized the Krazy Ladies Ski Bus for over 35 years, taking a raucous group of skiers up to Crystal Mountain and leading the way through mogul fields.
She skied all over the US and Europe, taking groups of fun friends and family with her “Fun” was the best way to sum up Dee. She relished the fun of seeing the world, the fun of meeting new people, the fun of playing a game of Scrabble with Leo. Dee worked hard to create fun for others — especially her family. There was no road trip too long or Lego set too huge for her kids and grandkids. Dee’s sense of fun also had a mischievous streak: she grew a marijuana plant, gave cases of her homemade wine as graduation gifts, and slipped “Playboy” magazines into Christmas stockings.
Dee spent her final years at Sherwood Assisted Living in Sequim. Leilani felt very fortunate to have her mom living just 7 minutes away. The nurses, caregivers and staff were loving and caring. They all made the best of things during Covid and were extra family. Grammy had visitors every day and we could see that she was happy and cared for. Always the optimist, her standard reply to a visitor’s greeting was, “I think I’m getting better!”
Dee was preceded in death by “Big Leo” and “Little Leo.” She is survived by her sister Donna Myhre, her daughter Leilani Sundt (husband Mark), her grandsons Christopher Olbu, Kiehl Sundt, and Justin Olbu (wife Aimee), and her great-grandchildren River and Orion Olbu.
To give Dee the last word, “Give hugs and kisses, be happy, have a ball. When your number’s up, you can’t say, ‘Wait, I have not yet done it all.’”
A Celebration of Life will be held at Crystal Mountain on Wednesday, June 28, 2023. Please RSVP for more details at: DeeOlbuCelebration@gmail.com.
Sandra Ruth Enzenauer/Rasmussen
1936-2023
“Sandy” passed away on January 18, 2023 in Yeringtion NV, one month short of her 87th birthday.
“Sandy” was born in the farming community of Bird Island, MN, the fourth of six children of Herb and Myrtle Enzenauer. She graduated from Bird Island High School and MacAlister College in St.Paul, MN. She went on to receive her teaching credential at Long Beach State College in California. While in school she was active in sports, music, church and 4-H.
Following her certification, she moved to Honolulu, HI where Sandy taught first grade. After two years in Hawaii, Sandy moved to Orange County, CA and began teaching at Disney Elementary in the Anaheim, CA School District, where she taught first grade until her retirement in 2003. During her teaching career and after retirement, she was frequently visited by her former students, testifying to her positive effect in forming the lives of her young students.
During her time in Orange County, Sandy met and married her second husband, George Rasmussen. They moved to Corona/Norco, CA, where they subsequently separated. Sandy continued to live in Norco until moving to Sequim, WA in 2020 and, finally, in 2022, to Yerington, NV.
Sandy enjoyed cultural activities and travel with her two teaching buddies, Virginia and Ann. She also was a helpful and loving counselor to nieces and nephews in the family. She was an active member of the library auxiliary in Norco. In retirement, Sandy met Ray Velez, a teacher in the Fontana, CA schools. Ray became a good friend and companion.
As a life long Lutheran, Sandy was active in her church in Norco, Bethany Lutheran, serving on the Altar and Service committees for many years. She was a member of Dungeness Valley Lutheran while living in Sequim and had joined Faith Lutheran Church after moving to Yerington.
Sandy was preceded in death by her sisters, Jean, Jan, and Sharon, and her brother Darrell. She is survived by her brother Jerry.
A memorial service will be held March 25 at Faith Lutheran Church in Yerington, NV (time to be announced).
Joyce Darlene Darby
Joyce Darlene Darby of Sequim died in her home of age-related causes. She was 83.
Darby was born May, 8, 1939.
A private family gathering will be held.
Sign an online guestbook for the family at drennanford.com.
Kathleen Langston
Kathleen Langston of Sequim died at Olympic Medical Center of age-related causes. She was 101.
She was born Jan. 1, 1922.
A memorial is planned for 11 a.m. Thursday, April 20 at Faith Lutheran Church, 382 W. Cedar St.
Sign an online guestbook for the family at drennanford.com.
