FRANS DOELMAN

1933 - 2018

Frans Welter Doelman Age 84, was born on Mar. 30, 1933 in Brussels, Belgium, to Johanna Doelman and Franciscus Welter. Frans passed away on Mar. 18, 2018 in Lakewood, WA. We will miss his bright smile and laughing blue eyes the rest of our days. Frans was a proud Dutchman. He survived many challenges in life... a child POW in Java during WW2 with his twin brother and mother; immigrating to the US and settling in California; graduating Carmel High School in 1951; attending UC Berkeley and running track ("Legs"); and proudly serving in the USAF and Reserves for 32 years, flying 14000 hours, including 6 years flying transport service to Vietnam. His greatest challenge and joy was his family. Frans was generous, kind, and taught us to work hard, love deeply, and take time to give others a hand. Our hearts break, for we will miss him, but we are comforted knowing that his earthly struggles are over and he is at peace and free to soar again. Frans is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Ruth (Stork); his three children, Mark (Stephanie), Christina (Dwight) Martin, and Catherine (Craig) Hawkins; grandchildren Dominique (Steven) Woods, Eric, Jennifer and Stephanie Martin, Nick and Kendra Hawkins, and Alexandra (Juston) Littlefield; great-grandsons Sonny and Christian Woods; cousins; sisters- and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews; and many life-long friends. He was preceded in death by his twin brother Hans, and granddaughter Erika Hawkins. "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal." Military Honors and Committal April 6th, 2:00pm, Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St. Kent, WA 98042. Celebration of Life April 7th, 2:00pm, Christ Lutheran Church, 8211 112th St. SW, Lakewood, WA 98498.