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BORN
1924
DIED
2011
DONALD VAN ETTEN Obituary
Don was born on April 27, 1924 one of nine children born to Edith and Ben Van Etten in Wenatchee, WA. He was 86 years old.
During World War II, he served as a Marine in the Pacific at the Battle of Okinawa and in the Marshall Islands and the Philippines. On returning to civilian life, Don drove cross-country truck for several years for Consolidated Freightways.
In Sedro-Woolley/Mt. Vernon, he obtained his Realtor's License and was active in both real estate and local politics. During the 1988 Presidential Campaign, Don was a local campaign manager for George H.W. Bush.
He was devoted to his family, often organizing or insuring that others participated in the annual "Van Etten Family Picnic."
He was a skilled craftsman and spent many hours in his beloved "shop" running his band-saw and working wood.
In 2003, he moved to Omak, WA, and continued his interests in woodworking, real estate, local politics, and maintaining his beautiful home with his wife, Iva Ewing.
Don is survived by his wife, Iva; his daughters, Cheryl Van Etten (husband Doug Mooers) and Vicki Irons (husband Ron); his son, Don Van Etten Jr. (wife Ardella); 8 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sisters, Eleanor Wise and Valerie Bartholick; and Iva's daughter, Cheryl Ward (husband Mike).
A Funeral Service will be held at Westford Funeral Home in Bellingham on Fri., March 25th at 10:30 AM, followed by a reception across the street at Westford's Broadway Hall. Burial will follow at Greenacres Cemetery.
You may view photos of Don and share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.
Westford Family Funeral
Home & Cremation
Bellingham, WA
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for DONALD VAN ETTEN
6 Entries
Amy Clark
March 25, 2011
Don was the sweetest man. We looked forward to birthdays so that Don could sing his famous "happy birthday" song to the lucky person! He danced like no other and could swing all of us around that dance floor at any given time! What a gift to have had the opportunity to know and work with such an amazing spirit. He was greatly loved, adored, and will always be remembered highly. What a sweet sweet man...
Dale & Sharon Francis
March 24, 2011
We send our condolensces to Iva and the family.
JIM ENGBERG
March 24, 2011
WHEN I JUST SAW THAT DON PASSED ON I AM VERY SAD BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT I KNEW DON HE WAS A MAN TRUE TO HIS BELIEFS AND CONVICTIONS.WE TALK MOST ABOUT HIS PROUD SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY,FAMILY, AND IMPORTANT BASIC CONSTITUIAL PRINCIPALS.DON DEDICATION TO OUR ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS WAS ADMIRABLE HE REMINDED ME OUR SEVERAL OCCASIONS HOW LONG HE SPENT IN REAL ESTATE BACK WHEN ALL THERE WAS WERE INDEX CARDS BEFORE BORIS THE COMPUTER .GOD BLESS IVA ,FAMILY AND FRIENDS. JIM ENGBERG
Gene & Sandy Johnston
March 21, 2011
Iva and family,
We will all miss Don. He has a warm spot in our memories
March 20, 2011
Iva-You are in my thoughts and prayers at
this sad time. I send my love to you. I
will be thinking of you. Love,
Betty Fagan, Lacey, Wa.
Gary and Paula Zimmerman
March 20, 2011
Iva, You're in our thoughts.
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