Kern Funeral Home

Joan Vance, a long time resident of the Skagit Valley and also Seattle's Ballard community, died suddenly of natural causes on November 20 in Mount Vernon, Washington. Joan Lily Ruthford was born in Belfast, Washington in January 1930. Joan and her twin brother Jack were welcomed by parents Gest and Ruth Ruthford. She also had an older brother Richard and older sister Margaret. Joan grew up in the Belfast and Hickson communities, graduating from Burlington Edison High School in 1948. She was president of the high school Girl's Club and was also active in Rainbow for Girls. After graduating high school she attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, studying home economics....

Marjorie May Felkins passed from this life October 22, 2024 at the age of 87. Born in Iowa in 1936, she was preceded in death by her loving parents, Herman Gerhardt and Myrtle Henrietta Peters, her sister Rose Stidham and beloved older son Steven Dwight Felkins. At the time of her passing she was in the arms of her son Rick Felkins and grandson Steven Felkins, Jr. along with his wife Camille. She is survived by her daughter Julie Marie Barker, her son Rick Felkins, her grandsons Steven Felkins, Jr., Walter and Jason Barker, and granddaughter Stacie Jordan with numerous great-grandchildren. She and her husband lived many years in their Lake County home in Kelseyville, California only...

Gerald Roy Severson (G.R. to some, Jerry to others), a 37-year resident of the Big Lake community, passed away peacefully in his home on October 9, 2024. Gerald was born in Seattle, Washington to Gordon and Allegra Severson on December 15, 1935. Gerald joined the armed forces after attending high school, and soon after started G.R. Severson Trucking as a general contractor where he worked tirelessly most of his life. After retirement, he found plenty of other work to keep him busy: hauling heavy equipment, buying and selling cars and trucks, and when he stepped back from that a little, he started buying and selling puppies. Jerry was a Mason with the Shriners since 1975 and was a...

Raymond Theodore Reep, Jr. passed away peacefully with family by his side on October 6, 2024 at the age of 89. He was born in Mount Vernon to Ted and Ruby (Johnson) Reep on March 6, 1935. He was truly proud to be from Mount Vernon and loved his community. He attended Mount Vernon schools, graduating with the Class of 1953. A natural athlete, he participated in both football and baseball in high school. He continued these sports at Pacific Lutheran College, and was fortunate to play for the great Marv Harshman. At PLC, he met Florrie Magnusson whom he married in 1956, and after graduating from college they came back to the valley where they raised their family. When first returning to Mount...

Douglas "Doug" James Avery Correction In Lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the La Conner Firefighters Association, P.O. Box 581, La Conner, WA 98257.

Douglas James Avery Douglas "Doug" James Avery, age 75, a lifelong resident of Skagit Valley, passed away with his loving family by his side on Monday, September 30, 2024. A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, October 20, 2024, 1:00 PM at Maple Hall, 104 Commercial Street, La Conner, WA 98257. A complete obituary for Doug can be read online at www.kernfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home of Mount Vernon.

Douglas "Doug" James Avery Douglas James Avery, 75, a lifelong resident of Skagit Valley, passed away with his loving family by his side on Monday, September 30, 2024. He was born on August 4, 1949 in Anacortes, WA to Warren and Lucille (Whitney) Avery. Doug spent the summers working in agriculture and graduated from La Conner High School in 1967. After graduation he worked on the tug boats, then at Nelson Lumber until he began his building career, eventually retiring after 25 years of owning Avery Builders. Doug played any and all sports, loved a good party, and found humor everywhere. His love of sports carried into adulthood where he coached or sponsored many youth sports teams. Doug...

Judith "Judi" Dianne Gundersen (Joiner) passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family, on Sunday, September 22, 2024, at the age of 82 in Everett, WA. Born on September 14, 1942 in Tampa, Florida, to Paul and Ginny Joiner, Judi's adventurous spirit took root early. At the age of four, her family moved to Washington, where Judi would grow up, make lifelong friends, and create cherished memories. She was known for her competitive love of card games, a passion that began in childhood and remained a central joy throughout her life. A proud graduate of Mount Vernon High School's Class of 1960, Judi spent a year at Washington State University in Pullman before moving to...

Loving husband of Robyn. Loving father of Jonah. Born in Courtenay, B.C. Lived the past 17 years in Mount Vernon, WA. Survived by his wife, son, daughter-in-law Alexi, and brother Ron.

John Alan Enders, 71, a longtime resident of Mount Vernon passed away on August 29, 2024. John was born in Yakima, WA on August 9, 1953 to Dale and Wanda Enders. As a boy his family moved to the Mount Vernon/Big Lake area where he attended Mount Vernon High School, graduating with the class of 1971. He was a star athlete in football, gymnastics and diving and was part of the 1970 undefeated and untied Bulldog football team. John married his high school sweetheart, Margaret Hickok, in 1980, together they raised three daughters and a son. During his early years he was a car salesman with his Dad and later owned and operated Enders Construction for 20 years. He later transitioned to truck...

Yvonne June Beatty, a longtime resident of Sedro-Woolley, Washington, passed away on August 14, 2024. She was born on June 24, 1937 to Forest and Alva (Bogle) Williams in Seattle, WA. She went on to meet Robert "Bob" Lee Beatty and the two were married in Yakima, WA on August 18, 1956. Bob took great care of her, allowing Yvonne to be a stay-at-home mom, taking care of her children and all of the family's needs. She was known to cook and enjoyed creating homemade meals for her family. Yvonne also worked as an Assistant Librarian and Para Educator at Sedro Woolley High School for 15 years. Go Cubs!! Yvonne and Bob were members of Thousand Trails for many years. She was also a member of...

Esther Engstrom, a longtime resident of Skagit Valley, passed away August 10, 2024 at the age of 88 in Mount Vernon, Washington. She was born March 10, 1936, in Hershey, Nebraska to Reinert and Amanda Hoagland. In her youth she showed champion 4H steers at the Nebraska State Fairs. She later became the 4H leader of the Baker Heights 4H club. She was married to Robert Engstrom on August 12, 1956 in Maria's Lutheran Church in Hershey, NE. She married into the farming life and took on many tasks and raised her children in farming as well. She was a longtime member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Samish Valley Grange, and Skagit Dairy Women. She had been a Mount Vernon resident for 68 years. ...

Lifelong Skagit Valley resident Julie Helen (Stewart) Lind, transitioned peacefully on Sunday, August 4th, 2024 in Mount Vernon with her faithful husband of 48 years, Dennis, by her side. Born October 25, 1953, to Ernie & Helen Stewart, she was the youngest of 10 Stewart children. Julie attended Mount Vernon High ('71), where she met Dennis. She then attended College of Great Falls & Skagit Valley College. Julie and Dennis Lind married June 12, 1976 at the Catholic Church in Mount Vernon. In her work life, Julie retired from Northwest Chiropractic where she served as their primary bookkeeper (and other roles) for nearly 20 years. Julie also supported Skagit Valley Medical Center...