Stan Tiemens

1954 - 2024

The son of Robert and Darlena Braden Tiemens, Stanley E. Tiemens was born in Longview WA on March 14, 1954, the fourth of five children. His adventurous and beloved father died in a motorcycle race in 1965 and when Darlena later married Harry Neighbors of Everett, Stan gained three cherished stepsiblings.

He attended Mukilteo schools, graduating in Mariner High School's first class in 1972. Starting at age 52, Stan went to college, graduating in 2008 with an Associate of Arts from Edmonds Community College, and earning his Bachelor of Science in Health Psychology from Bastyr University in 2010. In January 2014, he received a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from LIOS/Saybrook University.

Stan married Debbie Easterly in 1974, eventually moving to Cashmere and then Leavenworth. He drove mixer trucks and then worked for the state highway department, striping highways and driving a snowplow. After 13 years, the marriage ended and he returned to western Washington, working as a truck driver and then in apartment maintenance. Beginning in 1996, he ran a small home remodeling business for ten years.

In 1993, Stan married Sheila Vander Lugt, also a 1972 Mariner grad. They initially lived in Edmonds, followed by twenty years in Brier. In 2015, they moved to a hobby farm south of Stanwood, where they enjoyed working together on the property and gardens.

Stan was a spiritual person and believed the soul never dies. He would wake his wife and son Jared in the wee hours for comets and meteor showers. He played wicked ping pong and delighted in coaching Jared's MTYAA baseball team. Stan loved the Seattle Mariners, the UW Huskies, the music of Nathaniel Rateliff, and his dogs, cats and horses.

Stan was always ready for camping, clam digging, and water activities. He easily whipped up breakfast for twelve, and he could fix almost anything. He flew the flag, embraced diversity, and rejected narrow thinking. He was an organ donor.

In addition to Sheila and Jared, survivors include his grand-daughter Charlotte, brother Steve (Cheryl), sister Janet (Doug Herold), steps Mike Neighbors (Diane) and Trish (Dennis Wait), father-in-law Pete Vanderlugt, brother-in-law Alan Vanderlugt (Gail), Jared's mother Clarie Long, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was immensely proud of Jared for being a good man and an attentive, loving father to Charlotte. Stan endured significant losses including his parents, stepfather, sister Doreen, brother Dave, and stepbrother Kenny.

Stan loved hosting parties and gatherings. In that spirit, a celebration of Stan's life will be held Sunday November 17 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Stilly Valley Center in Smokey Point. If you would like to honor Stan's life with a donation, consider your local food bank, animal shelter or fire department.