All Obituaries

Patricia (Patty) Ellen VanDiest of Sumas, WA passed away peacefully surrounded by her family July 12, 2021, at the age of 75.  Born in Abbotsford B.C., Patty was the youngest child of Frank & Dorotha Rolls. She had a stubborn spirit that carried her through her battle with cancer. Through all the radiation & chemotherapy treatments she never once complained. For many years, the B&B was the place to receive food or a drink from Patty. Serving people was her pride and joy and...

Beloved husband, father, brother, and papa, passed away unexpectedly on July 11, 2021 in his life long hometown of Bellingham WA. On January 6, 1954, Dave was born to Cecil and Esther Simplot. As the youngest of 8 he was proceeded in death by his parents, brothers Robert and James and sister Marlene, leaving behind sisters Patrica (Jack) Davis, Kathy (Mike) Clausen and brothers Kork Simplot and Mike (Phylis) Simplot. During his childhood, Dave enjoyed being adventurous outdoors, including...

Birth               February 18, 1934, Oak Harbor, Washington Death              June 30, 2021, Whatcom Hospice House, Bellingham, Washington Burial             Saturday, July 3, 2021, Nooksack Cemetery, Nooksack, Washington Dorothy Louise Hackett was born in her grandmother’s cabin on Whidbey Island, Washington on...

Verda Grace Ratcliff, age 89, passed away at her home on June 28th, 2021. Verda was born in Port Angeles, WA on Oct. 22, 1931 to Frank and Lena Lindsay. She married Walt (Holm) Ratcliff in June of 1951 and started her 17-year run traveling the U.S. as a dedicated Navy wife until Walt retired in 1968 and they settled down in Bellingham, WA. Verda & Walt had three children Jody Slemp, Carl Ratcliff, & Lyle Ratcliff. Verda was preceded in death by her mother and father, brother Roy...

Rosalie Margaret Robey, age 79, of Bellingham passed away Sunday, June 27, 2021 in Bellingham. She was born May 15, 1942 in Winona, Minnesota and had been a Whatcom County resident since childhood and graduated from Bellingham High School with the class of 1960. Rosalie worked as a Waitress for many years in Blaine and at the Horseshoe Café in Bellingham. She also worked as a Dietician at Bellingham Health Care. Rosalie loved watching the Seattle Mariners Baseball Team, taking various...

Leonard “Jack” Balicki, age 70, passed away peacefully in his Bellingham, WA home Saturday, June 26, 2021 from long term illness surrounded by his loving wife Kathy Balicki and family. Jack was born September 19, 1950 in Oak Harbor Island, WA to Leonard Anthony “Lenny” Balicki and Geraldine Josephine “Jerri” Linker.  He spent most of his active childhood in Sunnyvale, California playing baseball, league bowling, Boy Scouts and even competed horseback...

Merrill Embert Lewis, age 89, died at home with family after a long illness.  He was born in California in 1932 to Howard and Ida Lewis.  During the depression, the family of five moved to Baker, Oregon, where he initially lived with his immigrant Scandinavian grandparents, Hilma and Embert Fossum, growing up among a large family of aunts, uncles and cousins.  He was  influenced by a fine history teacher while in Baker schools. Later his family moved to McMinnville,...

Albert Frank Jorgensen, age 72, of Bellingham passed away Thursday, June 24, 2021 in Bellingham at Alderwood Park Health & Rehabilitation.  He was born September 2, 1948 in Wyoming to parents Clifford and Gertrude (Sterk) Jorgensen. A memorial potluck will be held Saturday, August 28, 2021, 1:00 PM at the Kalsbeek Riverside Retreat, near Acme, 2503 Valley Highway. 

Shelly Ann Polinder, age 56, of Ferndale passed away at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital, Wednesday June 23, 2021 surrounded by her family.  She was born in Bellingham, WA June 24, 1964 to Alroy Marvin and Susie (Ashe) Polinder. Shelly has lived the majority of her life in the Birch Bay area where she enjoyed the scenic views, gardening, the wildlife, hanging out with her friends, grandchildren and two dogs Shakira and Gizmo. Shelly was preceded in death by her father Alroy in (2000)...

Linda Faye Henken, age 65, of Lynden passed away on Thursday, June 17, 2021 in Bellingham.  Linda was born to Pierce and Jessie (Groen) Molendyk on October 6, 1955 in Bellingham. She is survived by husband Dale of 47 years; son Ryan and wife Shaylene; brother Dwayne and wife Carol and numerous of nieces, nephews and other relatives all of Lynden. Linda was preceded in death by parents, Pierce and Jessie Molendyk; father and mother in-law Jim and Ellen Henken. She was a homemaker...