Kern Funeral Home

Lyle Eugene Rolph, a long-time resident of Anacortes and later Mount Vernon, Washington, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2023 to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born in Anacortes, WA to William Lionel Rolph and Dana Muriel Pike on June 20, 1934. He graduated from Anacortes High School class of 1952. In July of 1957 he enlisted in the Army, went through basic training as an infantry sharpshooter and served in South Korea during peacetime. In 1961, Lyle met and married his first wife, Lois V. Potter. They were married until 1982. He then was married for a short time to Jannet, before meeting the true love of his life, Sharon Dee Ray. They were married in October of...

Lyle Eugene Rolph, a long-time resident of Anacortes and later Mount Vernon, Washington, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2023 to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He was born in Anacortes, WA to William Lionel Rolph and Dana Muriel Pike on June 20, 1934. He graduated from Anacortes High School class of 1952. In July of 1957 he enlisted in the Army, went through basic training as an infantry sharpshooter and served in South Korea during peacetime. In 1961, Lyle met and married his first wife, Lois V. Potter. They were married until 1982. He then was married for a short time to Jannet, before meeting the true love of his life, Sharon Dee Ray. They were married in October of...

Kenneth Lee "Ken" Scott passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, October 31, 2023. Ken was born to Peter "Pete" and Stella (Muzzall) Scott on November 11, 1947 in Oak Harbor, WA. Ken grew up in a loving family with brother John and sisters Lois and Cathy. May 26, 1979, he married Kerri Bartram in Stanwood. The couple made their home in Mount Vernon and raised three children, Korey, Lindsay, and Tyler. Ken attended and graduated from Burlington High School. After Graduation he went to Skagit Valley College and later began working as a carpenter. In 1982 Ken began his 40+ year career with the City of Mount Vernon Waste Water Treatment Plant and Street Department. He worked as an...

Phyllis Christofferson, 88, passed away on October 10, 2023. Phyllis was born to Harry and Hellen Curtis in Paragould, Arkansas on August 27, 1935. Phyllis was always involved in her community. First through school with her children and then through numerous community projects and activities. A main focus was her 50 + year membership with the American Legion Auxiliary where she was actively involved in elected and appointed offices at the local, state and national levels. While working for Skagit County Senior Services at the Sedro-Woolley Senior Center she utilized volunteers in promoting programs and activities that enhanced the lives of many local seniors. One such program formed...

Gregg Allen Shaffer (70) of Skagit County, WA passed away of natural causes October 8, 2023. He was born August 19, 1953 in Minneapolis, MN to Ed and Dorothy Shaffer. The community of hotrods, his family and endless friends lost a pillar. His contributions to the lives of many will withstand the test of time. Gregg grew up in Northeast (Nordeast) Minneapolis in the fast lane. He was in the garage tinkering with engines and on the strip racing on the weekends. He packed up and headed out west, marrying Cheryl Begeman and having 2 beautiful twin boys and a baby girl, bringing him into fatherhood. He worked hard his entire life for his family. His careers included Iron Mountain...

Mrs. Sharon Dee (Wells) Hering Rolph - 84 years old and a lifelong resident of the Skagit Valley passed away in Sedro-Woolley, WA on Friday, October 6, 2023. She was born in Blackfoot, ID to Harold B. Ray and Ila Dawn Fenimore. Her class graduated in 1957, and she attended Skagit Valley College and pursued an occupation with the Visiting Nurses and worked as a caregiver for 5 years and as a supervisor for the last 20 years. On October 28, 1989 Sharon married Lyle Rolph and they enjoyed living on Widnor Drive in Mount Vernon, WA with each other for 34 years. She retired in 2014. Sharon was a member of the First Assembly of God in Anacortes, WA but moved to Mount Vernon in 1984. She was an...

Dave is gone. For someone who was consistently late to every appointment, he left this world way too early. David Francis Ehman was born to Shirley Ehman and Marvel Brodt Ehman on October 21, 1950, in Dayton, Ohio. He joined sisters Kathy and Marilyn. Later, Julie would join them. He attended public schools in Dayton, Ohio through high school, and went on to attend and graduate from Valparaiso University in Indiana with a Political Science degree. Beginning as a teacher's aide, David was immediately drawn to working with children with disabilities and decided to turn that into his life's work. In 1980 David moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington's School of Education...

Our beloved Laura Bird departed this world at Skagit Regional Health, Mount Vernon, on October 4, 2023 surrounded by her son, Shane and many family and friends. Laura fought a righteous battle against breast cancer that had returned last spring. Laura was born at Renton, WA on June 11, 1973 and grew up on Pleasant Ridge (La Conner) with her parents, Allen and Gail Bird. She attended school in La Conner and Mount Vernon. Her adult years were spent traveling and working throughout the United States, culminating in a recent trip where she proudly accomplished visiting all 50 states. Las Vegas was a favorite travel destination including a trip last June where she celebrated her 50th...

Arnold R. Moores, "Arnie," passed peacefully surrounded by his family at Skagit Valley Hospital on Oct. 3rd, 2023. He was 93 years old. He was a lifelong resident of Mt. Vernon, WA having been born there on Dec. 6th, 1929 to Frank and Lyda Moores. He graduated from Mt. Vernon high school in 1949, where he was a top athlete in football and track. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951 and served 2 years stationed in Austria. He met Mariellen Faaberg in Sedro Woolley, WA. They were married on Oct. 4th, 1958. They were blessed with 3 children, Kathy, Jim and Dave. Arnie was a very strong willed, hardworking family man; serving the agricultural community for many years as a partsman. He worked...

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved family member, son, and grandson, Jakob Edward Wesley Whetsell. He left our earthly surroundings on September 29th, 2023. Jakob spent most of his life in Mount Vernon, Skagit County, Washington, where he was born on March 11th. 2000. He was 23 years of age. Jakob attended Mount Vernon Schools. He was once a "Chinook" swim team member at the Skagit Valley Family YMCA. He went all the way to the state competition in Boise. Jakob loved going camping with the whole family and being outdoors. His heart was big, just like he was. He was kind, and he loved dogs. He was preceded in death by one brother, Cayden Crones...

Larry C. Wollan 1933-2023 Larry C. Wollan was born in Mount Vernon, Washington on August 27, 1933, to Walt and Peggy Wollan. He passed away on September 19, 2023, shortly after his 90th birthday. Larry attended Conway Grade School and Mount Vernon High School. In 1952, Larry married Arlyne Brodland in Ketchikan, Alaska. They were married 68 years before her passing in 2021. Larry was a lifelong member of the Teamsters. That career took him far and wide from the jungles of Papua, New Guinea to the ice fields of the North Slope in Alaska, and many places in between. After retirement, Larry and Arlyne became snowbirds and enjoyed 20 winters in Parker, Arizona. Larry was an avid fan of the...

Howard S. "Bud" Tronsdal, age 77, a longtime resident of the Skagit Valley, passed away on Monday, September 18, 2023. A memorial service is being planned and will be announced in a future edition of the Skagit Valley Herald. Cremation arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.

Ms. Mary Elizabeth Hart 69, resident of Sedro Woolley died in Bellingham, WA, September 16, 2023. Mary was a believer in random acts of kindness. She went out of her way to take the time to get to know and appreciate those around her. She will be dearly missed and forever loved, even more. She is survived by her son, Charles Larson, her sister Susan Sanderson (Shane Sanderson), her niece Kalisa Fulton, and nephews Chris, Stephen, and Peter Sanderson and their families to whom she was known as 'Aunty M.' You are invited to share your stories and condolences to Mary's family at www.kernfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.

Ms. Mary Elizabeth Hart (Larson) 69, a longtime resident of Poulsbo died in Bellingham, WA, September 16, 2023. Mary was born in Seattle on May, 31st 1954 to Charles and Julia Reynolds. She grew up on Bainbridge Island and graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1972. She studied early education at Seattle Community College, WSU and Evergreen. Mary gave birth to her son, Charles Larson in 1983 and moved to Poulsbo where she settled into the community she loved. She worked as a paralegal at Roof, Tolman, Kirk (& Franz) in downtown Poulsbo from 1984-2006. Mary loved to garden, go on walks down Lemolo Shore, cook for her friends, her family and all her son's friends who routinely...

Kyle Baxter Conard 32, of Sedro Woolley, WA unexpectedly passed away on September 11, 2023 due to cardiac complications. Kyle was born in Edmonds, WA on June 9, 1991, to Becky Jensen and Marty Conard. He joined his big sister, Natasha, and later welcomed his younger brother, Aaron. Raised in Skagit Valley, Kyle attended school in Mount Vernon. Growing up, he enjoyed playing outside, sports, and video games with his siblings. In 2015, Kyle welcomed his only daughter, Raymie, who immediately became his pride and joy. Raymie loved her dad's smile, personality, and making him laugh. One of her favorite memories is when her dad would wear his hat backwards and rap with a silly face. She loved...

Chief Joseph Bailey passed away at his home on Monday, September 11, 2023. A viewing will be held at Kern Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 13, 2023 from 2:00PM until 3:00PM, followed by a procession to the Swinomish Social Services Building. Prayer services will be held Wednesday evening at 6:00PM at the social services building. The Funeral service will be held on Thursday, September 14, 2023 at 10:00AM at the Swinomish Gym.

Barbara Lee (Linder) Gilkey of Mount Vernon passed away on September 10, 2023 at the age of 81. She succumbed to cancer after a gallant fight and thoughtful acceptance. For Barbara's full obituary, as well as sharing stories and condolence to her family, please visit www.kernfuneralhome.com/obituaries. Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home, Mount Vernon.

Joyce Y. Johnson was born August 7, 1932, in Bottineau, North Dakota to Margaret (Nerpel) and Paul Pilloud. She lived in St. John, Bisbee and Leeds, North Dakota and attended Minot Business College in Minot, North Dakota. She also worked in Minot before moving to Seattle, Washington in 1951. She worked as a secretary for Clyde Equipment Company, RCA for nine years and Associated Grocers in Seattle until 1965 when she moved to New Zealand. She worked in New Zealand and afterward in England for patent attorneys returning to Seattle at the end of 1968 and then was employed by Foster and Marshall. On September 19, 1970, she married I. Melvin Johnson and moved to Mt. Vernon where she has...