Kern Funeral Home

Allen Thursten Solemslie passed away at the age of 103, January 27, 2026, at home surrounded by his family. Allen was born November 21, 1922 in Seattle, Washington to Carl and Petra (Hovde) Solemslie. Allen wed his dear wife, Louise Josephine Thorkelson on November 6, 1954 in Seattle, WA. After spending time in the military as a Navy pilot during WWII, Allen worked for more than 40 years as a chiropractor and a naturopath. He was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Solemslie and his only great-granddaughter, Kara Lupardus. Allen is survived by his son; Keith (Marilyn) Solemslie of Mount Vernon, WA, daughters; Irene (Shawn) Steffens of Mount Vernon, WA, and Clare (Craig) Mork of...

Dawn Trembley (McAlpine) McKnight passed away on January 5, 2026. To view her full obituary and share memories with her family, please visit kernfuneralhome.com.

Dawn (McAlpine) Trembley McKnight, beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on January 5, 2026, in La Conner, Washington. She was born on October 4, 1932, in Cottage Grove, Oregon, to Floreine Strausen and George McAlpine. Dawn cherished her early years in Cottage Grove, fondly recalling stories of her beloved Grandma Grace, life on the family's ranch and in their hotel, and the many friends she made there. At age ten, she moved to Seattle to join her mother, stepfather George Trembley, and sister Judy. She grew up in Madison Park and was proud to be named Miss Madison Park during the 1940 Seattle Seafair celebration. A graduate of Garfield High School, Dawn attended the...

Leo Eugene Lambiel was born July 17th, 1942 to Leo & Marcialee Lambiel, in a small French hospital in Los Angeles, CA. When he was seven years old, the family moved to Arcadia, CA where Leo began his education. Leo loved to read. When Leo was in second grade, he read a biography on Abraham Lincoln, and when he finished the book, he burst into tears because he was so very sad the story had ended. At 16, his parents gave him a trip to Europe and this changed his life. Leo came home knowing he must see more of this "Blue Planet". After two years at Occidental College, he left school and hitch-hiked to New York City, where he took a job as a typist for a Math professor at Columbia...

The funeral service for Jan Oswold has been rescheduled. It will be held on January 23, 2026, at 11:30 a.m., at St Charles Catholic Church in Burlington, WA.

Jan was born and spent most of her childhood in Seattle, Washington. She attended St. Catherine's Elementary School and Blanchet High School. In 1972 her family moved to Burlington, Washington, where she finished high school. Studying communications, she graduated from Western Washington University in Bellingham. Jan joined the Washington State Employment Security Department in 1981 as a Field Representative, helping individuals file their unemployment claims and navigate the system. She moved to the state capital in Olympia, Washington in 1990. Over the course of 39 years she rose through state government agencies and programs to a position of managing aspects of the implementation of new...

Marilyn Dowen Gardner, 89, a lifetime resident of Skagit Valley, passed away on November 8, 2025. During her marriage with Ronald Dowen they resided on the family farm raising three daughters Debi, Sue and Kathy. He preceded her in death in 1975. In 1982 she married John Gardner and they grew Tulips at West Shore Acres looking forward to the yearly Tulip Festival until John predeceased her. In her retirement she enjoyed living at Samish Island and spending time with her grandkids. She was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Northwest. A Memorial Service for Marilyn will be held on December 13 at 11am at Kern Funeral Home.

Patricia Ann West (ne? Vanderpool), 85, a life-long resident of Mount Vernon in Skagit Valley passed away at her home in Mount Vernon on Sunday, November 2nd, 2025. She was born in Mount Vernon on March 6th, 1940 to Helene and Cecil Vanderpool. Patricia graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1958. On November 12, 1959, she married Lanny Earle West who was a navy man from Kansas City, MO. The couple lived in Kansas City for about five years where both of their daughters were born and then they returned to Mount Vernon. After the divorce, Patricia had many loves, but never remarried. Patricia was always helping people. She had a heart for children, especially those who showed signs of...

Jeanne Maureen Glick of Sedro Woolley, Washington passed away, surrounded by loving family and friends, on Tuesday October 28th 2025. Jeanne was born February 11th 1950 in Richland Center, Wisconsin, the daughter of Gerald and Marie (Dray) Glick. Jeanne lived a full life; riding her horse to grade school in rural Wisconsin, driving milk truck in high school for her family's cheese factory and competing in high school rodeo. She obtained her nursing degree by attending Tabor College and Wichita State. As a nurse she found her passion in the Operating Room. She enjoyed skiing & backpacking in Colorado, studying trees and other miracles of nature, and traveling in the 'rig'. She was proud...

Please join us as we celebrate the authentic, multi-layered, reflective, and joyful life of Bob Skeele. The Celebration of Life will be from 1:00-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, at 2309 Westwood Drive in Anacortes. Feel free to bring a musical instrument, a song, a poem, a story, a memory or just yourself.

Born in Columbus, Ohio on March 4, 1927, Robert E. "Bob" Skeele completed his long life on October 23rd, 2025 in Anacortes, Washington with his partner, Sherry Chavers, at his side. He preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Joan Williams Skeele. All their children survive him: John Skeele (Beth Caffery), Matthew Skeele (Annie Quest), David Skeele (Nora Ambrosio) and Susan Skeele. Six grandchildren survive: Marsh Skeele (Maury), Nora Skeele (Justin), Kora Urquhart (Joseph), Lena Skeele, Dominic Skeele and Nicolas Blumel. Four great grandchildren survive: Jameson Urquhart, Islay Urquhart, Bodhi Mulligan and Ash Skeele. Following military service in the USCG during World War II, he...

John "Jack" Raymond Koetje, 88, a lifelong resident of Mount Vernon, Washington, passed away peacefully on October 21, 2025. Jack was born in Anacortes, Washington, on October 17, 1937, to John and Mina Koetje. He graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1957 and went on to attend Spokane Technical College. His early career took him to Boeing, where he worked as a draftsman. He contributed to the design of the 727 airliner with a number of component designs. Though proud of that work, Jack soon realized that life behind a desk wasn't for him. He returned home to join his father at Western Lime Company, later taking over and running the business into the 1980s. In the mid-1980s, Jack...

Linda Peth, 85, passed away on October 14, 2025, in La Conner, WA. Linda was born on July 27, 1940 to Jeanne Martha Affleck Haynes and Normand Noble Haynes. She attended Immaculate Conception in Mount Vernon and Mount Vernon High School. As a child, she enjoyed horse riding, dance, piano, and roller skating. Linda married Richard Dale "Buz" Peth in 1955 and raised Kirk, Kim and Kelly on the Peth family farm. Being a stay-at-home mom allowed her to travel with her family to rodeos, work with her horses, sew, help with 4-H, homework and school projects, and transport her children to multitudes of school and sporting events. Linda always showed her children and grandchildren unconditional love...