I. Delbert Dern, 74, of Lynnwood, Wash., died Friday, Feb. 14, 2003, following a brief five month battle with cancer.
Private interment was held at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Seattle, and a family celebration was held on Saturday, Feb. 22 at Lynnwood.
The celebration was well attending and a fitting goodbye, with cousins from Baker City, Arlene Fulton and Delores Kissire present.
Also attending were nephew and wife, Kerry and Kathy Kissire, nieces, Suzie, Cherry and hubby Dave from Forest Grove, and Flores Phelps of Tumwater, Wash.
He was born December 24, 1928 in his grandparents’ home in Pendleton, and was raised on the ranch in Unity.
Upon discharge from the U.S. Army, he joined his parents, who had moved to Edmonds, Wash., where he worked as an auto painter, partnered with Grant Hill in Acme Auto Rebuild in Seattle in the late 1950s and for 30 years until retirement owned and operated Maplewood Auto Paint along with Gordon VanMere, in Edmonds.
Del and Sandy lived in Edmonds for 38 years before moving to Lynnwood in November 1966. Del was a member and supported the National Rifle Association, Washington Arms Collector, CCRKBA and was a firm believer in our 2nd Amendment rights.
He was preceded in death by father and mother, Ralph and Evelyn Dern, brother Clayton, and baby daughter Tammy Jo.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sandy Sandberg Dern, daughters, Carol Carter of Hurdie Mills, NC and Debbie Dern of Monroe, WA, cousins Arlene Fulton and Delores Kissire of Baker City and Leighton Hibert and Vernon Hibert of Washington, and family friend of many years, Gladys Ritch of Oregon.
Donations may be made in his memory to the NRA, 11250 Waples Mill Road, Fairfax, VA 22030.
Used with permission from: The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, March, 2003
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor