Keith Lanz Sivertsen
Published January 23, 2013
Keith Lanz Sivertsen born Nov. 2, 1942 in Bremerton, WA, passed away on Jan. 23rd 2013 in Bellingham WA.
He lived on Bainbridge Island until he joined the U.S. navy in 1960 and served in Vietnam during the war there. He retired in 1981 as a Senior Chief. While he was in the navy Keith traveled all over the world. He said he loved being in the navy because that gave him a chance to go fishing all over the world and that he never had to be hungry again because the food was great and he could have as much as he wanted.
Diego Garcia, Australia and the Philippines were his three favorite places because of their connection to the Sea. While he was stationed in the Philippines, he met his wife Alicia. They were married for 31 years. Keith and Alicia moved to Whidbey Island in 1984 and built their home near Coupeville.
After he retired from the military he worked at Nichols Brothers shipyard for several years. He then worked at NAS Whidbey for Civil Services as an airplane mechanic. He then went to work for Main Street Collision while attending Skagit Valley College where he finished his BA in Mechanical Science.
He loved everything about the outdoors. Fishing, crabbing and gardening, were his favorite activities in addition to spending time with his grandchildren, Ryan and Mikaela, and his family.
He was an avid reader; mostly about fishing he just couldn’t get enough information about fishing. He loved to do research. Throughout his life he never stopped going to school. Education was a priority to him and he was a wonderful role model for young people because he advocated education so much.
In addition to his wife Alicia, he is survived by one daughter, Maricar L Labrador and Sonny Labrador his son in law, one grandson Ryan Labrador, a granddaughter Mikaela Labrador his nephew Dave Moscoso and Dave’s wife Sherrylou Moscoso, two brothers Gary and Scott Sivertsen, friends Andy and Carol Anderson, Linda and Max Wilmshurst and many, many others. He was preceded in death by his father Marvin Sivertsen, mother Grace Sivertsen and brother David Sivertsen.
A celebration of remembrance will be held Saturday, Feb. 2nd at 1p.m. at Burley Funeral Chapel, 30 SE Ely St, Oak Harbor, WA 98277, with a viewing that morning from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. There will be a small reception to follow the service.