Obituaries for May 24, 2018

PAID PRINTED OBITUARIES

Katherine Jean Meyer
May 2, 1930 ~ May 7, 2018

Katherine “Kathy” Meyer passed away suddenly on May 7, 2018, doing what she loved doing, traveling with her family. She will be forever remembered as a loving mother, wife, grandmother and dear friend to many. She always had time and energy for those she cared about and a little extra for those in need. Kathy was married for 65 years to her loving husband, Dean, who preceded her in death in April 2016. She is survived by all nine children: Karen Eaton (Mike), Cheryl Rettig (Jim), Lynne David (Fred), Theresa Barto (Bill), Pam Beckley (Mark), Greg Meyer (Sylvia), Janice Nelson, Carol Eckman, and Gail Meyer, as well as 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Kathy was born to Harold and Frances Desmond on May 2, 1930. She was raised in Yakima, WA with her sister, Dorothy Zerr and two brothers, Don and Gary, and later moved to Camas, where she met Dean. They married and settled in Camas to raise their family.

Kathy and Dean both worked hard to support their family of 11. While Dean worked in administration at the Camas mill for 40 years, Kathy loved the restaurant business. Her early years were spent working in the industry. The Parker House, a favorite, was where she made and kept many lifelong friends. She later excelled in a career in sales with Vacation Internationale and served on their corporate board for many years. After her “retirement” is when she really went to work. But she considered it fun. The calendar was always full. She was very devoted to her church and was an active member of St. Thomas Aquinas Ladies’ Guild. Many hours were spent doing volunteer work with various charities such as Treasure House and Share House. In her leisure, she enjoyed reading, attending Broadway musicals with her daughters, long lunches, golfing at Orchards Hills Country Club as a long-time member, traveling to favorite places such as Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and Nevada. Sun River was a family favorite and Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry held fun memories for her and Dean in their younger years. She loved playing endless games of solitaire with her kids, monthly Pinochle games with her friends, whale-watching at the beach, having fun at the casinos, cooking for anyone anytime, and her nightly Jeopardy. Her grandkids’ events were always a top priority no matter how far she and Dean had to travel.

But Kathy’s real full-time job and biggest joy was bringing happiness to others. Her devotion and attention to her family were endless. She had a huge heart that was so full of love and kindness, fun and energy. If she wasn’t planning a graduation party or birthday party for her family or friends, she was getting a jump on planning the holidays or the next family get-away. She loved making any event special with her little touches. Her spirit was young and her mind was sharp. Her grandkids were in awe that Grandma could text and share photos on Facebook with them. Eighty-eight years was just a number. Although it seems she left us too suddenly and too soon, she left us all the many gifts of love and great memories. Forever in our hearts. Forever young at heart. We will miss her.

Funeral mass service will be held for Kathy Meyer on Thursday, May 31, 2018, at 11 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 400 S. Andresen Road, Vancouver, WA 98661. A luncheon celebration will be held immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, Kathy’s wishes were for donations made to HOPE, a non-profit support group for families caring for loved ones with dementia. HOPE helped Kathy while she was caring for Dean and she appreciated their work and help. HOPE, 9901 NE 7th Avenue, Vancouver, WA 98684 or St. Thomas Aquinas Ladies’ Guild, 324 NE Oak Street, Camas, WA 98607.

Remembering Bobbie Tidland

Camas resident, Roberta June Tidland, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 23, 2018. She was 92.

“Bobbie Wilson” was born June 7, 1925 in McCleary WA to Arthur R. and Jessie E. Wilson, the youngest of three children. Her family soon relocated to rented farms in Hockinson and Brush Prairie WA. It was there at age six, she first visited church with her family and began her spiritual journey. She attended the Historic two-room Glenwood School through the 8th grade and then followed her sister and brother to Battle Ground High School.

Her beloved brother Ralph, a Stanford student turned B-24 Bomber Co-Pilot, soon perished in World War II. She felt his absence deeply and spoke of him often. She was like-wise close to their older sister Ora Faye. She shared a deep friendship with her big sister her entire life.

A Home Economics major, Bobbie attended Washington State College, now WSU. She became roommates with her new sister-in law (Ralph’s wife,) Barbara Tidland-Wilson (Gist). When Barbara’s brother, CR “Bob” Tidland, was home on leave from the Navy, the two met and started dating. Bobbie left college before completing her studies as the two were married in June of 1946. Bobbie moved to San Francisco where Bob was stationed. Their first son, Dale was born there in 1948. The small family returned to Bob’s home of Camas in 1949 to set up house keeping. Charles Thomas was born in 1950 while Bob went into business with his father, Edward H. Tidland. In 1951 They opened their doors to create Tidland Machine Co., later to become Tidland Corporation. Tedford Tidland joined the family in 1952.

While Bob and his company were building machinery for paper mills, Bobbie was shepherding the boys and putting her skills in home economics to work. She was a talented homemaker and seamstress making many of her own garments with the aid of her dress form, cast from her own petite figure. She had an discerning eye for detail and fine handiwork. This theme was reoccurring. She went deep into Life, not content to skim merrily along the surface. This reinforced her devoted spiritual Life. Her relationship with her Creator was the foundation of her being.

The boys kept her busy as did supporting Bob in his growing business, but she was ever expanding her horizons.

Wanting to share her spiritual life with her family and others, she went deep into her studies to become more qualified. She took an active role in her church and in the 1960’s as a member of the Young Women’s Republican party, she assisted Hal Zimmerman in his election campaign to become a Washington State Legislator. Bobbie had her finger on the public pulse. Her political interests in government, land use and local history continued throughout her life.

Bobbie was passionate about education and uplifting the troubled, largely educational opportunities for women. Having cut her pursuit of higher education short to marry and raise her boys, she never lost sight of her goal. In 1978, at the age of 53, she graduated from Evergreen State College with a degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling. She continued her studies at Oxford University in England. Upon returning, set up an endowment fund for womens’ education. She traveled to Europe, Israel, Japan and China ever widening her perspective.

She was a dedicated lifelong member of PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization). All of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren will attest to her passion and encouragement regarding bettering themselves with educational opportunities and her great generosity in assisting with those pursuits. These values were key factors in the formation of her close friendships and deep commitments.

If you knew Bobbie well, you know that she was a keeper of records and a champion of history. She dedicated an enormous amount of time and energy in her latter years, 25 years in fact, as a Camas historian working to preserve the community’s origins at Parkersville Landing. Often coming up against bureaucracy and profiteers, she was tiny in stature but, full of determination and perseverance, a triumphant figure moving undeterred through the world. If she believed in something, there was no backing down. Today on the Columbia stands Parkersville Park; a beautiful rose arbor, interpretive kiosk with educational history panels and a brick plaza naming pioneers old and new. They all attest to her vision and her stick-ability.

Above all, Roberta Tidland was faithful to her Lord Jesus Christ. Charming and free of calculation, she genuinely cared for people and always had time to listen. It was important to her that you knew her Savior. She had a strong desire to know all about you, share with you and connect you with others. Always keeping the common touch, no one felt like an outsider in their home, and the doors were always open. She was a quiet listener when she needed to be but, then always made sure you knew what she held so deeply in her heart as truth. She leaves behind footprints in the lives of so many and a legacy that will last for perpetuity.

Roberta is survived by her older sister Ora Faye Thogerson, son Dale Tidland (Linda), grandchildren Jayson Tidland (Tammy), Sadie Tidland (Michael Naith), Max Tidland (Elizabeth), son Tom Tidland (Sarah), grandchild Elizabeth Loop (Matt), son Ted Tidland (Lynn), grandchildren Mandalynn Tidland-Heep (Scott), Elaine Cool (Chris), Scott Smith (Jennifer) and seven great- grandchildren.

A CELEBRATION of HER LIFE will take place: Saturday, June 9th, 1:00pm, at Grace Foursquare Church, 717 SE Everett Street, Camas WA.

Bobbie is buried at Camas cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: R.J. Tidland Memorial, Camas-Washougal Community Chest, PO BOX 960, Camas WA 98607 www.camaswashougalcommunitychest.org.

Read the complete obituaries in the May 24 print edition of the Post-Record.

Melvin L. Tietz

Melvin L. Tietz died at the Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver, Sunday, May 20, 2018. He was 91.

A graveside service will be held at the Camas cemetery on Thursday, May 24, at 10 a.m. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Ray Hickey Hospice House. To leave a condolence or sign the online guestbook, visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.

Donald J. Guindon

Donald J. Guindon died peacefully in his Washougal home Thursday, May 17, 2018. He was 82.

A funeral mass will be held at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Camas. Contact Straub’s Funeral Home for service time and date. To leave a condolence or sign the online guestbook, visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.

Doris F. Everett

Doris Fern Everett died on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018, in her Seattle home. She was 97.

Mildred E. Piontek

Mildred E. Piontek died in Camas Monday, May 21, 2018. She was 91.

The graveside service is Friday, May 25, at 11 a.m., at Evergreen Memorial Gardens, 1101 N.E. 112th Ave., Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of choice. Straub’s Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.

Leila Noble

Leila Noble, of Washougal, died Sunday, May 20, 2018. She was 93.

Leila’s life will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 30, at 11 a.m., at Straub’s Funeral Home in Camas. Burial will be private at Camas Cemetery. To send condolences or to sign the online guestbook, visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com.

Thomas K. Riner

Thomas Kenneth Riner died Friday, April 20, 2018, in Vancouver. He was 80.

At Tom’s request, there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ray Hickey Hospice House and the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society.

Read the complete obituaries in the May 24 print edition of the Post-Record.