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Priscilla Soules Obituary

Priscilla "Polly" Coder Soules

Our mom passed away peacefully on January 3, 2013. She was born in Seattle on May 9, 1921 to Dorothy G. and Lloyd X. Coder. She attended Garfield High School and the University of Washington, where she was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority. She joined Seattle Milk Fund with friends from college when she was an at-home mom, and was a member her whole life. Through the years, Polly did volunteer work for the homeless and mentally ill, at Harborview Hospital and other charities. After being at home with her 4 children for about 15 years, she started working at System Transfer & Storage Company, the family trucking company her father founded in 1919. She worked there until she retired in 1986. She was president of the company for some years, and Chairman of the Board at her death. She was also involved in Soules Properties, serving as Secretary and Director of the company that was started by her father-in-law in 1940.

She was married to Paul "Si" Soules from 1944 until his passing in 1979. Many years later she married Chuck Klein, enjoying 6 years of marriage until his passing in 2003. She was also preceded in death by her brothers Ellis and Bud, son Steven G. Soules, granddaughter Laura Nicole Soules Lund, nephew David Coder, niece Jamela Soules and many of her friends.

Polly was a very dedicated Husky football fan and always said her blood was purple and gold. Her granddaughters Natalie and Caroline are the 17th and 18th members of her extended family to go to the UW. She was a 2nd generation football season ticket holder. She also enjoyed traveling to many away games through the years, including three Rose Bowls. When it became too difficult to get to the games, she began enjoying them on her big screen tv with family and friends joining her. It was always a party, with well buttered popcorn by the bucket! The UW crew also had a special place in her heart. Her brother Ellis rowed, and through him she met her husband Si. Her son Scott and daughter Sandra also rowed at the UW and her grandson Paul now rows at WSU.

Travelling was something Polly enjoyed very much before and after retirement, and was fortunate to travel around the world in 1963. She loved Hawaii, starting with her first trip in 1948. Kauai became her favorite island where she had a condo for 20 years. After that, Palm Springs became her sun destination for several more years. She shared her places very generously with family and friends. There are many of us who have cherished memories from stays both places. She also travelled some 20 times to Norway to visit her daughter and family, and had many friends there.

Polly is survived by her children Scott (Lorna), Stuart (Gabriele) and Sandra (Andreas), grandchildren Natalie, Caroline, Paul and Trygve, sisters-in-law Marlene Soules and Vivian Coder and many nieces and nephews.

Polly was a loving and devoted wife, mom, grandmother and aunt. She was the matriarch of the family and supportive of all of us in many ways. As her parents were both only children, she had no aunts, uncles or cousins, so family was more important to her than anything else. She also loved her many friends of all ages. She was energetic, spontaneous and fun loving! Memories of her will always be with us, in our hearts and souls. She meant so much to so many.

Although gone from this world, we're sure mom is driving that Great Highway in the Sky in her gold convertible with the top down, a can of Coke (not Pepsi!) by her side, a Camel straight in her hand and a heavy foot on the gas, loving every minute of it!

We would like to thank the staff at the Ida Culver Broadview Health Care Center for their gracious care of our mom the last weeks of her life, and for making us so welcome to be there as much as we wanted to.

You are welcome to sign the online guest book at Acacia Memorial Park &Funeral Home, www.acaciafuneralhome.com

There will be a celebration of Polly's life for family and friends in May.

Memorials may be made to Seattle Milk Fund, www.seattlemilkfund.org, or your favorite charity.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Seattle Times on Jan. 6, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Priscilla Soules

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Joel Thompson

April 16, 2013

I happened to notice that Poly has passed. She was like a second Mom to me back in Wedgewood in the early 60's. I learned pool and ping pong, Stuart and I played by the hours. I had many overnights with Stu, Scott, Steve, Sandy, Poly and Si. We sang 99 bottles of beer on the wall on the way to Orcas Island and the whole family swam in our pool in Wedgewood by the grade school were Stuart and I met. My thought are with you all. Joel (Joe) Thompson

Christy Klein

April 10, 2013

Our condolences to Sandy, Scott, Stuart and their families,

Polly was the BEST! Bill and I thoroughly enjoyed our visits with her and will miss her greatly. She was warm, funny, loving and a real dynamo in life. We were blessed that she married Uncle Chuck and came into our lives.

She LIVED her life well and made a difference in the lives of all who were blessed to know her. Bill Delaney and Christy Klein

Neil Heiman

February 2, 2013

Just found out yesterday about Polly's passing. My deepest condolences to the family. I always enjoyed her unique personality and warmth. Neil

January 11, 2013

A very bright light has moved on and I guess Heaven will never be the same. She's probably organizing a party right now.
Polly always reminded me of Auntie Mame with her wonderful zest for life, her twinkling eyes, her interest in all that was happening in the world, and her kind loving spirit. Many will miss her and I know there is a big empty spot for you in her family. As my mom would say, she was a great gal!!
Ginny Wells Payne, Alpharetta, Georgia

January 10, 2013

Polly was the best "stepmom" a girl could have. She was so good for my Dad, Chuck Klein, and good for all our family. I will miss our phone calls and emails, catching up on the family and talking about places we would like to go. She was quite a lady. Always up for just about anything, including hot air balloon rides, a drive out to the desert, stopping while I would jump out tp pick up an interesting rock by the side of the road, going to Canada, taking a cruise and loving every minute. I will miss my buddy .

Ray & Gaye Cassidy

January 8, 2013

To Sandy, Scott, Stuart and families:
Wow! what a blow! So sorry to hear about Polly's passing! We are so glad to have been able to share in the 90th birthday festivities - commenmorating her life! The challenges, the joys, the varied interests, and to see so many friends and family share the day with her! She had a great outlook on life and was a joy to be around! And as fellow Huskies ... it was a joy to share those interests too! She will truely be missed! Please let us know of future event to celebrate her life!

Henry Andresen

January 7, 2013

Sorry to hear of Pollys passing Man what a good long rich life.This is the end of a era though,they just don't make them like that anymore.We should all be so lucky to get 90 good years.

Renee Reeves

January 7, 2013

Polly was one of my favorite customers at Thriftway and Qfc. What a wonderful, caring, boisterous, fun lady she was, showing me pics of her little Grandkids, and talking about her trips to Norway. It was always fun talking with her when she went through my line, with her large zest for life. My thoughts are with her family, you were lucky to have such an amazing, loving, outgoing matriarch. -- Sincerely, Renee

Jerry and Dianne Swenson

January 6, 2013

Polly was one of my favorites when I worked for System. She was alway upbeat and cared for the employees. She will be missed but how lucky to have such great memories. Our thoughts are with the family, you are all stronger because of her leadership.

Barbara Dunson

January 6, 2013

Gosh Polly was such a delightful woman. I worked for System Transfer in the 70's and her presence was such a delight. We stayed in her condo on Kauai and I know how much my mother enjoyed her as well. She "beat" my mother to the graduation from University of Life by 2 days. How interesting 2 fine people that knew each other now are leaving from the same location. How lucky you were to have had a loving and caring mother and grandmother.

Pete Gerhard

January 6, 2013

Dear friends,

We are so, so sorry for your loss of your dear mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend.

I really enjoyed knowing Polly. She was full of life and being around her felt like being in a "big hug zone." It was fun to work on her computer, since she sure got a kick out of it when it was fixed and working for her.

UW football games at her condo were a hoot, too. Good food, lots of "fan energy" and much laughter.

Polly will be definitely be missed.

I've been praying for all of you as Polly's health worsened -- and will continue to ask for God's touch on all your lives as you grieve together -- and know that we grieve with you, dear friends.

Love,
Pete and Jeanne

Karen Gremp

January 6, 2013

Dear Scott, Lorna, Natalie, Caroline and Soules/Coder family,

So sorry to hear of Polly's passing! She was the fun, energetic Matriarch of your family and we know how much she'll be missed by each of you. Though we also believe, as stated, that she is driving that great highway in the sky and enjoying every minute of it.

Sending our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers to your family. May God hold you tight and bring you comfort during this time of sorrow.

Love and Aloha,
Karen and Jim Gremp

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Funeral services provided by:

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14951 Bothell Way NE, Seattle, WA 98155

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