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Eugene Bleth Obituary
March 8, 1948 ˜ May 5, 2023
Eugene Michael Bleth passed away in the early hours of May 5, 2023 at the age of 75, having fought a long battle with cancer. He was born March 8, 1948, to Michael and Clara Bleth in Vancouver, WA. At two months of age, living on his grandfather’s farm, he and his family were caught in the 1948 flood of the Columbia River. They were able to make it out using a small boat with a 5 horsepower motor, going upriver, dodging debris.
With most of their belongings lost in the flood, his parents bought a home off 4th Plain Blvd., near Walnut Grove. He attended Peter S. Ogden Elementary, Lewis Jr High. Just before turning 14, he lost his father in 1962 in a truck accident involving black ice. He graduated from Hudson Bay High School in 1966. As a teenager he delivered papers and worked at a gas station on 4th Plain Blvd.
He became a machinist with training at Clark College. His first job as a machinist was at Kenton Machine in North Portland. About 1981 he started his own successful machine shop, Daybreak Enterprise. Being a very creative individual, he eventually built his own home using ideas he gathered over the years.
Later he met Joanne Knutson who became the love of his life for 19 years until her passing in November 2022. She was the best thing to ever happen to him. She was ready and willing to take on any adventure Gene had in mind. Many times he remarked she was always a happy person. They enjoyed fishing, skiing, gardening, old cars, traveling, spending time with friends and summer visits to Ocean Falls, Canada.
He is survived by Joanne’s daughter, Amanda (Aaron) Clark, her three children and Joanne’s son, Ryan Knutson. His siblings Carol Huffman, Nancy Reinhart, and Alan (Kathy) Bleth; one nephew, five nieces, seven great-nephews and six great-nieces. Plus many longtime friends.
A celebration of life is planned for Sunday, June 4, 2023, noon to 3 p.m. at McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge at 215 Hendrickson Drive, Kalama, WA 98625.
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Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Bleth
1 Entry
daniel rutkowski
June 6, 2023
good friend and good class mate HB class of 66
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