Ethel Vida Neat

Ethel Vida (Ludwig) Neat was born in Rainier, Washington on July 23, 1921 to Amanda Elizabeth (Trowbridge) Ludwig and Joseph Aloisius Ludwig. She graduated as the salutatorian of her class at Rainier High School in 1939, and attended Metropolitan Business College, completing a private secretarial course. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a member of the second contingent of W.A.V.E.S. on November 15, 1942, and trained in Stillwater, Oklahoma. She was ordered to active duty on January 15, 1943, and was based in Washington, D.C. and New York City. After her honorable discharge on November 11, 1945, she married her high school sweetheart, Darrell George Neat on August 3, 1946 in Anchorage, Alaska. She went with Darrell to a position with the U.S. Navy Attache Office in Helsinki, Finland, where she was employed with the U.S. Consulate. Their first son, Michael Joseph, was born there. They returned to Washington State, and were stationed in Seattle and Aberdeen, among other West Coast locations, where Patrick Ludwig and Leta Anne were born. Later, she worked for the State Senate in Olympia. In 1968, Darrell joined the U.S. State Department Agency for International Development (A.I.D.), and was sent to Vietnam, with the entire family following to Taipei, Taiwan. Their next A.I.D. assignment took them and their daughter Leta to Afghanistan, where Ethel worked for the University of Indiana Team at Kabul University. Ethel and Darrell retired in 1972, and bought a farm in Allejuellah, Costa Rica as pensionados, growing tomatoes and coffee beans. Returning to Olympia in 1975, she returned to work at the State Senate until retiring for the second time. Her family now included 10 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Darrell died in 1993, after which Ethel lived peacefully in her home on Eld Inlet. She left this earth suddenly yet peacefully on September 11, 2003, due to complications from cancer. Services were held on September 15, 2003 at Pioneer/Woodlawn Cemetery in Lacey, Washington. Now both Ethel and Darrell will rest together. Memorial donations can be made to the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary #318 Cancer Fund, 2902 Martin Way East, Olympia, Washington, 98506.