Sammamish home assessments down 16 percent
June 30, 2009
Property taxes will not see a similar decrease
By J.B. Wogan
When Margaret Rosenow bought her single-family home with her husband Gary in 1980, the house was worth about $170,000.
Like many families in Sammamish, the Rosenows have seen their home increase in value over the years, but that trend halted this summer. Now Sammamish homeowners, like residents all across the county, have seen their properties dip in value.
Between 2007 and 2009, the Rosenows’ property jumped in value $147,000, or about 26 percent. But the 2010 assessment was a more sobering change: in a single year, the Rosenows’ property lost about 16 percent of its value.
“The last time, it went up really high. It should have already gone down last year,” Rosenow said, adding that she’s more worried about her property tax than her property value. “Assessment at the moment is not that important to me because I’m not going to sell it.”
Debra Prins, who specializes in residential property appraisals for the King County Department of Assessments, said Sammamish properties would be down 16 percent on average.
Prins said this year’s assessments were more accurate to the housing market of today, in part because the assessor’s office changed the way it calculates home values. In addition to its typical statistical analysis and limited physical inspections, the assessor’s office dropped property values down another 15 percent from its January 2009 value, she said.
“We wanted to make certain that we were taking in consideration all vagaries of this market,” she said. “We believe there were things our (past) evaluation models did not take into consideration.”
The assessments were more than a year behind in reflecting the dramatic slowdown in home sales or the dropping in prices, Prins explained.
Interim King County Assessor Rich Medved said the average sales price of a home in the county had dropped from a high of $710,000 to $615,000.
Medved said his office began sending out assessments June 11. The assessments released this summer would affect property taxes for 2010, although the relationship between assessments and property taxes is different in Washington than in most other states, according to Medved.
“Most states in the United States are what we call rate-based systems,” Medved said.
In rate-based systems, there is a direct correlation between the value of a home and how much a taxing district, like a city, will charge in property taxes.
But Washington has a budget-based system, Medved said. King County has 160 taxing districts, including cities, school boards, the Port of Seattle and King County, among others, and those taxing districts determine how much money they will require through taxes. In other words, the taxing district sets how much money it would need and then the tax rate is adjusted to collect that amount.
The property assessments affect property taxes in the context of relative worth; if someone’s property value drops more than their neighbors’, then they could see a drop in property taxes. If a taxing district opted to collect a smaller annual amount, that, too, would lessen someone’s property taxes. The reverse is true, too, according to Medved.
“It’s still very possible that you could see an increase in your tax bill next year,” Medved said, adding that taxes are directly impacted by voter-approved tax increases.
King County Councilwoman Kathy Lambert, who represents Sammamish, said she’s worried about how people might interpret the news that their property values are down. She said she has heard from residents who think lower property values will mean lower property taxes.
“I’m very, very nervous. When I try to explain how property taxes work, people get very upset,” she said. “A lot of people don’t understand that when they vote for a levy of any sort, that is above what the county does.”
Sammamish Finance Director Lyman Howard said property taxes from the city were stable. At most, the City Council could vote to increase the amount the city collects through property taxes by 1 percent. The City Council would have to decide whether to raise property taxes by Dec. 3 in accordance with state law, Howard said.
Medved said people should know that they have 60 days to file an appeal if they believe an assessment isn’t accurate. To reach the King County Department of Assessments, call 206-296-7300.
Reporter J.B. Wogan can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 247, or jbwogan@isspress.com. To comment on this story, visit www.SammamishReview.com.
When Margaret Rosenow bought her single-family home with her husband Gary in 1980, the house was worth about $170,000.
Like many families in Sammamish, the Rosenows have seen their home increase in value over the years, but that trend halted this summer. Now Sammamish homeowners, like residents all across the county, have seen their properties dip in value. Read more
Want to be the King County Assessor for a while?
June 30, 2009
What’s a house worth?
The King County Council is now accepting applications for people interested in serving as King County assessor.
The county is seeking someone to act as a replacement until the November election.
Any citizen of King County may apply. After applications are submitted, a five-member panel will review the applicants and hopes to present two to five suggested individuals to the County Council by July 10.
Interviews of prospective candidates are set to begin at 9 a.m. July 13. Final appointment could occur that same day.
To apply, interested residents must send a written statement of interest, résumé, supporting documentation, three references and answers to the following five questions:
What are the duties of the King County assessor as you understand them? What do you consider the most important qualifications of an excellent county assessor and why? What are your qualifications for serving as county assessor? Do you intend to run for the office of King County assessor in the November 2009 election? Why are you interested in this temporary appointment?
Applications must be submitted by July 6. Send them to Clerk of the Council, 516 Third Ave. Room W-1039, Seattle, WA 98104.
The King County Council is now accepting applications for people interested in serving as King County assessor.
The county is seeking someone to act as a replacement until the November election.
Any citizen of King County may apply. After applications are submitted, a five-member panel will review the applicants and hopes to present two to five suggested individuals to the County Council by July 10. Read more
Best. History Paper. Ever.
June 30, 2009
Samvit Jain wins national contest for his study of Chief Joseph
By Christopher Huber
Not many middle school students get to fly to the East Coast to show off a research paper they wrote. But that’s exactly what Redmond Junior High Quest eighth-grader Samvit Jain did June 13-18.
The Sammamish resident had earned high marks at the regional and state level for his paper about Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe.
Jain and his family spent the week seeing the sights in Washington, D.C. and participating, along with hundreds of students from around the country, in the National History Day competition at the University of Maryland.
In the end, he won first place in the nation in the Junior Division (grades 6-8), paper category.
“I was kind of shocked,” Samvit said at his home in the Timberline neighborhood. “It’s a pretty amazing feeling.”
The national event drew 1,500 students, family members and coaches. Jain’s classmates, and fellow Sammamish residents, Rahul Devanarayanan and Nicholas Kodati placed third in the Junior Division, Web site category for their project titled “Mikhail S. Gorbachev: Dictator for Democracy.”
Samvit beat out 100 students in his category (two from each state) with his extensive research about the efforts of Chief Joseph to repatriate the Nez Perce to the Northwest.
According to a critique sheet, the judges raved about his work.
“Places the reader in the proper historical context, and provides a persuasive argument on Chief Joseph’s legacy,” one judge wrote. “Strong use of a wide variety of primary and secondary sources. Cleary much research went into this paper. Excellent introduction into the life, accomplishments, and legacy of Chief Joseph.”
The project began Oct. 1, when students around the country began researching topics of regional, state or national historical interest. Samvit chose to write a 2,500-word paper, but others created a Web site, made a documentary or built an exhibit, among other modes of presentation.
“The research depth varies on topic and how much you want to further your knowledge,” Samvit said. The goal was to show analysis of a person, he said.
His research — he cited more than 60 sources in his paper — took him to the National Archives building in Seattle and to electronic records at Bowdoin College. He even interviewed a professor at the University of California at Berkeley, he said.
“When you actually get into the research, that is the most interesting process,” Jain said. “This year I spent a lot of time … selecting a topic. I wanted to select something of interest and Chief Joseph was a very appealing topic.”
The competition phase began in March, when he submitted his paper to the North Puget Sound Regional round.
There he placed second out of 80 entries in his category, he said. At each level, judges, who are professional historians, critique the entry and interview the student.
After placing second locally, Samvit’s paper won the top prize at the April 25 Washington state event.
Samvit’s Quest language arts teacher Kimm Jensen coached him and the other National History Day contestants from Redmond Junior High.
His devotion and analytical skills impressed Jensen all the way through, she said.
“I told him standing at nationals, ‘you’ve got to write a book,’” she said. “Other than the fact that this kid is a good writer and should write a book someday, he spent hours at the University of Washington. He has an extremely analytical mind.”
Jensen said her students are eager to participate every year in the program and love the competition, which gives them an authentic audience outside of their peer group or class.
“This kid has a style that’s not only engaging but it’s analytical. It’s entertaining. He just has a gift,” Jensen said.
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
Not many middle school students get to fly to the East Coast to show off a research paper they wrote. But that’s exactly what Redmond Junior High Quest eighth-grader Samvit Jain did June 13-18.
The Sammamish resident had earned high marks at the regional and state level for his paper about Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe.
Eighth-grader and Sammamish resident Samvit Jain won top honors in the junior paper category at the National History Day competition at the University of Maryland, College Park. Photo by Christopher Huber
Sammamish ready for the third Fourth
June 30, 2009
By Lauren McLaughlin
When 10-year-old Ashley Tsai wanted to help her Dad’s band, Experimental Reality, get into the Pine Lake summer concert series, she contacted the city to nominate them. They didn’t get the gig, but she ended up getting her father’s band a much larger one — Fourth on the Plateau.
“I was really surprised, I just wanted to get them into Pine Lake,” Ashley said. “This is better.”
Experimental Reality is a contemporary and classical rock band made up of locals, Phil Tsai, Robert Heitkamp, Mike Day, Mikki Ellingsen, and Jon Gorman.
Day had no idea that they had been nominated.
“We had been interested in doing the summer concert series. Hearing that we’re playing at the Fourth was a surprise,” Day said. “The Fourth is a great event to be doing.”
The Fourth on the Plateau is one of the city’s biggest events bringing in from 10,000 to 15,000 people to celebrate the holiday at the free event.
The Fourth on the Plateau activities begin at 6 p.m. July 4 at the Sammamish Commons.
In addition to the live music and fireworks, this year’s festivities will include food vendors and an expanded kids area.
According to volunteer coordinator Dawn Sanders this year the children’s area, sponsored by Mark Nelson Orthodontics and Rhonda Newton DDS, will include five bouncy toys.
“Last year we only had 3 and there were really long lines,” Sanders said. “We’re hoping to lessen the lines and accommodate more families in the Lower Commons.”
The Washington Native Plant Society will also be hosting a children’s event at the Fourth.
The construction of the new Sammamish Library will take away a lot of the fireworks viewing area in the Upper Commons this year.
“We’re trying to encourage more families to go to the Lower Commons to watch the fireworks,” Sanders said. “We’ve made the trail down to the Lower Commons ADA accessible, so now it is much easier for families with strollers.”
In both the Lower and Upper Commons there will be a wide variety of food offered.
New this year will be Domino’s Pizza, Big House BBQ, Hawaiian shaved ice, and cotton candy.
The members of Experimental Reality are excited to be playing at the Fourth. Most of their shows have been in bars, which limits the size and age of the audience.
“I’m looking forward to playing in a place my kids can actually see,” Heitkamp said. “Mine are still young enough to be impressed.”
They will be playing contemporary and classic rock songs by artists such as Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Deep Purple, and Green Day from 6-8 p.m. at the Sammamish Commons.
“We’ve got a pretty diverse palette of music that allows everyone to be happy with what we play, and the fans enjoy it too,” Heitkamp said.
Ellingsen enjoys when the crowd gets involved with their music.
“The stuff we play are songs people have known their whole life,” Ellingsen said. “Sometimes they just start singing along.”
Experimental Reality will be the opening act on the Main Stage at the event.
Shelly and the Curves is the headliner this year. They will be playing from 8-10 p.m.
Bob Tomberg, a member of Shelly and the Curves, said the band is looking forward to playing the Fourth.
“We love to play right before the fireworks, it’s a great climax to our concert,” Tomberg said.
Shelly and the Curves is a cover band that plays songs by artists such as The B-52s, Dixie Chicks, and Madonna.
“If you hear three notes of the songs you will know it,” Tomberg said. “We want to play what the audience likes.”
Getting to the event will feature the standard procedures.
From 6 p.m. to midnight there will be no left turns allowed onto or off of 228th Avenue between Northeast Main Street, and Southeast 20th Street.
Also, Southeast Fourth Street will be closed to cars after the fireworks to allow viewers to exit.
Parking is available at Pine Lake Park, Sammamish Hills Lutheran Church, Sammamish Highlands Shopping Center, Mary, Queen of Peace Church (does not open until 5:30 p.m. and is only for cars carrying four or more people), Eastlake High School, Discovery Elementary, and Pine Lake Middle School.
There is limited parking available for people who need handicapped accessible spots and for vendors at City Hall.
Due to construction there will be no available parking at Skyline High School.
For a parking map and event map visit, www.ci.sammamish.wa.us/4thJuly.aspx. For more information on the bands visit, www.experimentalreality.com and www.curvesband.com.
Intern Lauren McLaughlin can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 244 or samrev@isspress.com. To comment on this story visit www.sammamishreview.com.
When 10-year-old Ashley Tsai wanted to help her Dad’s band, Experimental Reality, get into the Pine Lake summer concert series, she contacted the city to nominate them. They didn’t get the gig, but she ended up getting her father’s band a much larger one — Fourth on the Plateau.
“I was really surprised, I just wanted to get them into Pine Lake,” Ashley said. “This is better.”
Experimental Reality is a contemporary and classical rock band made up of locals, Phil Tsai, Robert Heitkamp, Mike Day, Mikki Ellingsen, and Jon Gorman. Read more
How to fake out the fireworks finale
June 30, 2009
By Sarelyn Radecke
So, the Fourth of July is in a few days. We, as Americans, love this holiday; it’s our day to eat potato salad and hot dogs, adorn ourselves in the colors of the American flag, and blow things up (legal fireworks, of course).
Whenever I watch fireworks, figuring out which series is the grand finale is kind of a game to me.
I remember, a few years ago on the Fourth of July, I couldn’t tell when the finale was. It was one of those fireworks shows where every explosion was big and seemed to outdo the previous explosion of color.
The show reached a point where the fireworks were constant; I figured that it must be the grand finale!
After it was “over,” I clapped and clapped and started to move around and get my belongings together. I stood up, heard a “bang,” turned around and watched in horror as one of those puny screaming fireworks weaseled its way into the air.
I sat back down, red with embarrassment as the show continued. Fireworks went off for about another 15 minutes.
Then came a slew of fireworks so close together and so loud – I knew it had to be the finale. I stood up and clapped – and sat back down in total and utter shame when another firework exploded.
This show was just…deceptive! I honestly could not identify the finale.
By that time, whenever a firework went off, I clapped. Then, the finale ended up being just one little firework. Whoo!
I learned my lesson. Now, I just kind of…twitch whenever a firework explodes.
That way, if it does happen to be the finale, I can smoothly integrate a clap into my twitch.
If it’s not the finale, I can just play the “Oh, my stars and garters! Well, that one was certainly loud!” card while placing a hand on my chest and nervously laughing into the smoke-filled distance. Win-win either way.
I actually think it’s pretty impressive how much more advanced fireworks have become over the years.
I mean, when fireworks first were invented, they just blew up…that was pretty cool.
Then, a few years later, the sound factor was added with those infamous “screaming fireworks.”
Do you know what I really want? Firework TiVo.
I actually wouldn’t be surprised if that were the new level of fireworks.
You walk into your local park to watch some fireworks, blankets and popcorn in tow, and you get handed a brightly-colored remote.
“Well, what’s this?” You ask.
“Firework TiVo!”
You can pause it, turn the volume down, adjust the brightness, fast forward to the end (cheater) and rewind back so that way you know where the finale is…
I hope everyone has a safe Fourth of July.
Remember, play it extra safe and twitch after every firework.
So, the Fourth of July is in a few days. We, as Americans, love this holiday; it’s our day to eat potato salad and hot dogs, adorn ourselves in the colors of the American flag, and blow things up (legal fireworks, of course).
Whenever I watch fireworks, figuring out which series is the grand finale is kind of a game to me.
I remember, a few years ago on the Fourth of July, I couldn’t tell when the finale was. It was one of those fireworks shows where every explosion was big and seemed to outdo the previous explosion of color. Read more
High school grads seek more scholarships, funding
June 30, 2009
By Christopher Huber
Although he’s headed to an expensive college in the midst of rising tuition costs, a more competitive application process and the worst economy in decades, recent Eastlake High School graduate Aakarsh Gottumukkala doesn’t let it bother him.
“It definitely had an effect on how other students chose a school,” he said. “I didn’t really let it bug me because I knew there were (financial) resources for out-of-state.”
As cliché as it has become, as much as the media has beaten the dead horse, the economic downturn continues to affect, in some way, virtually everyone in the United States.
College-bound high school graduates in Washington have begun to feel the pinch as well, according to students, high school career specialists and college financial aid officers.
More students applied for financial aid this year than in years past and local students paid closer attention to their college search and finances, taking on a stronger role in their quest for the ideal college experience.
“For our students, as of the beginning of June, we’re seeing an increase (in applications) of 16 percent over this time last year,” said Kay Lewis, director of student financial aid at the University of Washington. “It’s both more people looking for aid, and students are more eligible for aid. With the downturn in the economy, there are people whose income has gone down, so that makes them more eligible.”
Not only are they applying for more loans and grants to fund their college education, but Sammamish students, most of whom have already committed to colleges, said they spent more time scrutinizing their choices to attend in- or out-of-state and public or private schools.
“I have seen more kids coming in for more scholarships this year,” said Karen Edgar, Skyline High School career specialist. “People have been searching far and wide. If a student wants to go out-of-state, more people are thinking more about in-state.”
With the uncertain economic climate weighing on their minds, students generally took the college-search process more seriously this year, Edgar said. The tough economy hasn’t changed their desire to go to private or out-of-state schools, though.
“It really is still across the board. They’re becoming better informed and more discerning,” she said. “I’m seeing more and more students that recognize, ‘I’m part of the process. They’re working together with their families to make the process successful.”
Skyline graduated 388 seniors from the class of 2009. And of the 397 who graduated from Eastlake in June, 204 are staying in-state and approximately 94 will head out-of-state for college, according to data from the school’s newspaper, The Edge.
Gottumukkala is headed to the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. He said he began researching colleges and financial aid options in early 2008. He went through numerous books and college guides, advising on everything one needs to know about any one of the approximately 3,000 higher-education institutions nation-wide.
He ultimately decided on a small, liberal arts college with a respectable math program – one that fits his vision of the well-rounded college experience.
“You need to be in a place where you thrive,” Gottumukkala said.
But with a $44,000-per-year price tag, he knew he had to apply for financial aid — loans and private and school-funded scholarships.
“There was definitely a push to look for extra help,” he said.
Although his parents told him he could go to any college he got into, Skyline graduate Chris Helgeson said the national recession put the financial aspect in perspective as he searched for the most appropriate college. He landed on Santa Clara University in California.
On Sundays throughout his college search, Helgeson presented specific information about his favored schools to his parents. The process helped him figure out which schools would work best and fit his desire to study accounting, he said.
“They really supported the idea of private education,” Helgeson said.
Tuition and other fees will cost him up to $48,000 per year, he said, but he worked diligently to win three large annual scholarships to supplement his parents’ hard-saved college-fund money.
“Those scholarships were huge,” Helgeson said. “Even if you can afford it, you feel bad coming to your parents and saying, “I want $50,000 a year for college. It’s nice knowing I helped out by getting scholarships.”
As much as the troubled economy has put a damper on some incomes and changed the prospects of some college-bound seniors, local career specialists said students came away with a stronger appreciation for the cost of higher education.
“We may be in a recession, but it doesn’t mean that if you don’t plan properly you can’t go to the school you want,” Gottumukkala said. “If you plan your grades and your school profile good enough, you can definitely go to the school you want. It’s definitely possible … there’s millions (of dollars). There’s a lot out there still.”
Reporter Christopher Huber can be reached at 392-6434, ext. 242, or chuber@isspress.com. Comment on this story at www.sammamishreview.com.
Although he’s headed to an expensive college in the midst of rising tuition costs, a more competitive application process and the worst economy in decades, recent Eastlake High School graduate Aakarsh Gottumukkala doesn’t let it bother him.
“It definitely had an effect on how other students chose a school,” he said. “I didn’t really let it bug me because I knew there were (financial) resources for out-of-state.” Read more
The origins of the Freed House
June 30, 2009
Jacob Reard builds a house that will become a contentious issue for Sammamish
This is the first in a two-part series about the Reard-Freed House.
By Phil Dougherty
Some of us who have lived on the plateau are familiar with parts of the story of the Reard-Freed Farmstead, particularly the Freed half, which we will also review here. But new historical information sheds additional light on Jacob Reard (1866-1917), the man who first bought the property.
Jacob Dominique Reard was born in Germany on March 4, 1866. Little is presently known of his early life or when he came to America, but he appears in the 1889 territorial census for King County, listed as an immigrant laborer.
On November 20, 1890, he bought 80 acres of land for $380 from the Northern Pacific Railroad Company. An 1897 map shows the farm located just northwest of the northern terminus of what was then a short leg of today’s 212th Avenue Southeast, a roughly four-block long dirt strip that connected today’s Southeast 20th Street and Southeast 24th Street (which in the early 1890s was an almost brand new road and known as either Martin Monohon Road — its official name — or more informally as Monohon Hill Road).
Reard was living in Gilman (now Issaquah). On March 4, 1891, his 25th birthday, he married Emma Groat (1869-1964) of Montague, Calif.; they were married at the Snoqualmie Parlors in Seattle.
The young couple returned to Gilman, where the 1892 census recorded Reard’s profession as a gardener. However, they wouldn’t be long for Gilman.
Reard took out a $900 mortgage in June 1892 to build a house on his new property, and according to tax assessor records, both the house and a barn were built in 1895. The mortgage was also paid in full in June of that year.
Reard built his house in the “National” style, a relatively simple two-story rectangular house (and an attic) with a gable roof, which was a popular style used in homebuilding for much of the last half of the nineteenth century.
At some point, probably not long after the house was built, a one-story wing was added; this later became a kitchen. Reard also added additional touches, such as Queen Anne detailing (examples were fish-scale shingling on the primary gable ends, and porch rail detailing on the house’s porch), that made the house look more modern and ornate.
The house’s overall dimensions are 25 by 57 feet, and it has a six-room interior.
By the time the Reards moved into their new home they already had one child, John (1892-1974), and would have four more. Son Alfred died in infancy in 1896, but three children survived into adulthood: Herbert (1897-1943), Marguerite (1902-1988), and Alice (1908-1989). Reard’s grandson, Paul Thomas of Woodinville, says that his mother Marguerite was born in the farmhouse in 1902, and it seems probable that Herbert and Alfred were born there as well.
Reard was a successful farmer. But “grandfather had itchy pants… he liked challenges” observes Thomas. “He went to the gold rush in Alaska [probably in the late 1890s] but only came back with one nugget about the size of my thumb.” Reard also farmed briefly in Wapato, alone for part of the time while his family remained here.
Then he moved again, this time to a 200-acre ranch in Ephrata, sold his farm here in 1905, and the rest of his family joined him in Ephrata.
Early in 1917, Jacob Reard was severely injured when he cut his leg on a baler. He was taken by train to Spokane for medical treatment, but died on Feb. 21, 1917.
Meanwhile back on the plateau, the farm went through a series of owners over the next decade or two. In 1923, Olaf L. Skogman (1856-1929), a Swedish immigrant, bought the property. Skogman worked at the Monohon mill.
His wife Margaret (1860-1936) occasionally worked at the nearby Clise mansion (now part of Marymoor Park in Redmond) to supplement the family’s income. The farmhouse itself became a gathering place for the community, with a large room on the second floor used for dances.
In 1928, Oscar E. Freed (1894-1979) and wife Dorothy (d. 1978) acquired the property as the result of a land trade with Skogman, but they didn’t move there right away. The Freeds lived in Seattle and owned the Rainier Valley Food Store there. Trying to commute to the farm from Seattle was impractical in 1928, so the Freeds remained in Seattle and rented out the property until 1934.
At least one renter found a creative use for the property, and built a still on it. Prohibition was in effect at the time, but illegal stills were commonplace and many did not view them with any real stigma.
In a 2005 interview, Oscar Freed’s son Richard (b. 1923) described the farm during these years: “We’d go out there and it’d be all quiet — there’d be a few cattle there but that’s all. The bootleggers had a still in the barn that was sunk down so you couldn’t see it.
“They put hay over the top of it. Finally the federals came down and knocked the still over. It stunk of whiskey out there for a good three weeks!”
Next week, the Freeds move in and establish a water district.
This is the first in a two-part series about the Reard-Freed House.
Some of us who have lived on the plateau are familiar with parts of the story of the Reard-Freed Farmstead, particularly the Freed half, which we will also review here. But new historical information sheds additional light on Jacob Reard (1866-1917), the man who first bought the property.
Jacob Reard and Emma Groat Reard on their wedding day, March 4, 1891. Photo courtesy Paul Thomas
Rachel M. Darst
June 30, 2009
Rachel M. Darst
Rachel M. Darst, longtime resident of Issaquah, died at Providence Marianwood on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. She was 94.
Visitation is from 2-5 p.m. July 1 at Flintoft’s Issaquah Funeral Home, 540 E. Sunset Way. A funeral service is at 11 a.m. July 2, at Flintoft’s, with a reception following. Private family burial will take place at Lower Hillside Cemetery.
Rachel was born Sept. 13, 1914 in Tagus, N.D., to Ira and Louise Dilley. She was raised on the family ranch until the age of 13, when she was sent to live with relatives in order to attend high school. At age 16, she and her family moved to Yelm, and shortly after, settled in Issaquah.
At age 19, she met Ivan Darst on a blind date. They married on July 27, 1934, in Seattle. She and Ivan made their home on Mine Hill for nearly 75 years.
Rachel worked at the Issaquah Laundry for several years before starting work for Villa Care Inc., where she began as a nurse’s aide. She worked at several Villa locations, including the Issaquah Villa, for more than 20 years. At the time she retired, she was a director of nurse’s aides.
Rachel’s first love was her family and friends. She was an absolutely fabulous baker! She also enjoyed gardening, sewing, reading, writing letters and was a pro doodler. In addition, she had a definite passion for music and dancing, and chocolate. She will be truly missed by all who had the privilege of meeting her.
Survivors include one son, Dennis (Lois), of Cle Elum; one daughter, Colleen Petersen, of Sammamish; four grandsons; two granddaughters; seven-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and many loving friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Ivan in 1986, an infant grandson in 1981, four brothers and three sisters.
The family suggests remembrances to Providence Marianwood, where she received such loving care for the past two years.
Arrangements are entrusted to Flintoft’s Funeral Home and Crematory.
Friends are invited to view photos, get directions and share memories in the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com.
Rachel M. Darst, longtime resident of Issaquah, died at Providence Marianwood on Wednesday, June 24, 2009. She was 94.
Visitation is from 2-5 p.m. July 1 at Flintoft’s Issaquah Funeral Home, 540 E. Sunset Way. A funeral service is at 11 a.m. July 2, at Flintoft’s, with a reception following. Private family burial will take place at Lower Hillside Cemetery. Read more
Dorothy Clara Coons
June 30, 2009
Dorothy Clara Coons
Dorothy Clara Coons, of Sammamish, died Tuesday June 23, 2009 in Seattle.
Dorothy was born Dec. 5, 1926 in Royal Oak, Mich. to Clifford and Myra Brady. She was raised in Royal Oak and graduated from Royal Oak High School. She married John R. Coons in Michigan on July 10, 1947. She was a homemaker and wonderful mother to four daughters.
Dorothy enjoyed reading, church – where she was a member of Sammamish Presbyterian Church, P.E.O., flower-arranging, being with her grandchildren and travelling. Throughout her adult life, she travelled extensively with her husband for his work. She lived in Tokyo, Japan as well as Rome, Italy. She also lived in California, Oregon and Washington. Dorothy moved to Issaquah in 1999 to be closer to her eldest daughter and her family. She is remembered as a warm, caring and loving mother and grandmother with a great sense of humor.
Dorothy is survived by her three daughters: Denny (husband Earl) Shepherd, Terri (husband Bal) Dreyfus and Tracy (husband Seth) Sherwood; a brother Richard Brady, seven grandchildren and one great grand daughter. She was preceded in death by her parents Clifford and Myra Brady, husband of almost 50 years and her daughter Debby.
A celebration of Dorothy’s life and memorial service was held on June 30, 2009 at Sammamish Presbyterian Church. The family suggests remembrances to the American Diabetes Association, Seattle-Tacoma office, Metropolitan Park East, 1730 Minor Avenue, Suite 920, Seattle, WA 98101.
Arrangements by Flintofts Funeral Home and Crematory.
Dorothy Clara Coons, of Sammamish, died Tuesday June 23, 2009 in Seattle.
Dorothy was born Dec. 5, 1926 in Royal Oak, Mich. to Clifford and Myra Brady. She was raised in Royal Oak and graduated from Royal Oak High School. She married John R. Coons in Michigan on July 10, 1947. She was a homemaker and wonderful mother to four daughters. Read more
Geraldine Boyce
June 30, 2009
Geraldine Boyce
Geraldine Boyce, of Issaquah, died June 23, 2009 in Renton. Boyce was born Nov. 18, 1925 in Doniphan, Neb. to John and Lola Sparks. She was raised there.
Geraldine married Lyle Boyce in 1949 in Portland, Maine. They moved to Issaquah in the early 1950’s and resided in the Pine Lake area.
Boyce loved to cook, play Bingo and travel. She was a longtime member of the Community Baptist Church and Issaquah Eagles.
She was preceded in death by her husband Lyle and two sons: Barry and Brad. She is survived by her daughter Michelle (husband Arne) Campbell of Issaquah, two granddaughters, Debbie and Tammi, and four great-grandchildren.
By her request, private services will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorial contributions in her name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 12721 30th Ave NE, Suite 101, Seattle WA 98125 or to dementia research.
Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com.
Geraldine Boyce, of Issaquah, died June 23, 2009 in Renton. Boyce was born Nov. 18, 1925 in Doniphan, Neb. to John and Lola Sparks. She was raised there.
Geraldine married Lyle Boyce in 1949 in Portland, Maine. They moved to Issaquah in the early 1950’s and resided in the Pine Lake area. Read more
