Paul Koetje

Paul Allen Koetje, 84, a longtime resident of Skagit Valley, died peacefully at Mountain Glen Assisted Living on Tuesday, May 31, 2016.

He was born in Oak Harbor, Sept. 14, 1931, to John and Mina Koetje, and graduated from Mount Vernon High School with the class of 1950.

He grew up working on the family farm, as well as working with his dad at Western Lime Company.

Paul married Rita Hazleton in 1951, and together they raised their three sons, Jeff, Jay and Rick, on Fir Island. Paul was involved with the boys’ Little League baseball and was active in the Conway community. The family also enjoyed many years of family camping trips with the Pearson family.

He worked for Continental Telephone, initially as a bookkeeper and later as a cable splicer, and retired after 35 years of service, after which he ventured into commercial fishing in Bristol Bay, Alaska. He was extremely proud of his 13-year position as fire chief for the Conway Fire Department.

Paul found pleasure in many things and had a passion for vegetable gardening, especially growing tomatoes and sharing them with family and friends. He loved to putter in his shop and was always working on a wood project and enjoyed building toys for the grandkids. His eyes would light up each time he saw his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. What he looked forward to the most was his yearly deer hunting trip to Twisp with his brother-in-law and friend, Don Pearson, which they began doing in 1948. They continued this tradition for 66 years until a decline in health. He also enjoyed a good game of cards with his buddies, competitive poker, whittling and giving “Koetje tours” to first time visitors to the area.

He married Florence Newman in 1989, enjoying years of trailer camping, lutefisk dinners, watching the Seahawks and Mariners, and spending time with family and friends.

His morning routine was storytelling during coffee with friends at the La Conner Tavern and Haggen in Mount Vernon.

If you met Paul, you would never forget him, as he was one of a kind and will be missed dearly by many. He leaves us with many special memories and his laughter and love of life will live on in all of us.

Paul is survived by his wife Florence; sons Jeff (Michelle) and Rick (friend Ping); daughter-in-law, Cindy Koetje; stepdaughter-in-law Lisa Newman; stepsons Phil Newman (Julie) and Terry Newman (friend Tammy); brothers Emerson Koetje (Barb) of Darrington and Jack Koetje (Judy) of Acme; sisters Gloria (Merrill) Camp of Walla Walla and Tammy (Klint) Conrad of Arlington; step-sister-in-law Pauline Hille of Spokane; and sister-in-law Nina (Don) Pearson of Soldotna, Alaska. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Angela (Taylor) Jones, Lisa (Johnny) Lee, Kaitlyn Koetje, Lexie (Tim) Woodmansee, Levi Koetje, Nora Rae (Victor) Hernandez, Ashley (Behr)Ibarra, Alicia Troha, Kara (Malcolm) Sams and Alexis Newman; 14 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Rita Koetje; son Jay Koetje; stepson Lee Newman; parents John and Mina Koetje; and sister Mary Ann Ford.

The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Kojouri and staff from Skagit Regional Cancer Care, the Conway Fire Department and the caregivers from Mira Vista Care Center, Mountain Glen Assisted Living and Hospice of the Northwest for their tender care during his illness.

A celebration of Paul’s life will be held Sept. 18, 2016, at the Conway Fire Department. Details to follow at a later date. Memorials may be made to Children’s Hospital, MS/S 200. P.O. Box 50020, Seattle, WA 98145-5020 or the Conway Fire Department, P.O. Box 753, Conway, WA 98238 or Skagit Regional Cancer Care, 307 South 13th Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98274, or a favorite charity.

Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.

You may offer your condolences to Paul’s family online at www.kernfuneralhome.com