Beth (Hurd) Van Ness
Beth (Hurd) Van Ness died July 15, 2008, after suffering a stroke.
She was born in Spokane, in 1918, to Merle (Brittain) Hurd and Marean Hurd, Beth was the first-born of three children. She was raised in Goldendale, from the age of six and graduated from Goldendale High School, class of 1936.
After high school, she worked in Olympia where she met her future husband Elmer “Van” Van Ness, an engineer. In 1939, Beth and Van married. In 1942, they bought a home in Wallingford, and raised their two sons Robert (“Spike”) and Steve. Beth had a tax and investment business for 40 years.
In 1962, she served as the first woman president of the Wallingford Commercial Club.
Bright and energetic, Beth could organize chaos. Always upbeat, a good conversationalist and listener, Beth made friends wherever she went and kept the ones she had.
She loved attending her high school reunions in Goldendale and kept up with many in her class over the years. In 1998, she sold her Wallingford home and moved to an apartment at Ida Culver House, in Seattle.
She was preceded in death by her husband in 1984.
Survivors include her sons, Robert and Rose Van Ness and Steve Van Ness; grandchildren, Kevin, Stephen and Tim; great-grandchildren Cierra and Angelica; her sister, Mary Lou Lapenski; nephew, Jim and Sandy Lapenski; nieces, Mary Beth and David Rubio, Margaret Elaine Frost, Ann and Bill Thorpe-Brittain.
A celebration of Beth’s life will be held Sunday, August 17, from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at Ida Culver House 12505 Greenwood Ave. N, Seattle.
In lieu of flowers or remembrances, contribute to your IRA or mutual fund—or start one for your child or grandchild.
Cards to the family may be sent c/o Ann Brittain, 2212 Queen Anne Ave N., No. 255, Seattle, WA 98109.
|
