Frank J. Aurdal, 70, of Clinton, passed away in Bethany at Pacific nursing home in Everett on July 4, 2006. He was born in Bellingham on March 19, 1936 to Arnor and Nanette Aurdal. Frank married Mary Jane Schmidt in Everett in 1962, where they resided until 1997 when they moved to Clinton on Whidbey Island.

Frank and Mary Jane owned and operated Paco’s Press in Lynnwood for 35 years. His advancing Alzheimer’s forced the sale of the business and their retirement in 2000.

Frank is survived by his wife of 44 years, Mary Jane; their three daughters and sons-in-law, Corina and Scott Wilson of Everett, Shannon and Peter Barnett of Clinton, and Stacey and Mike Abbott of Everett; and 10 grandchildren: Nicole, Danielle and Thomas Wilson, Amanda, Allison, Nathan and Abigail Barnett, Branden, Jason and Lauryn Abbott.

Next to his family, Frank was very proud of his service in the U.S. Navy (1953-1957) and enjoyed telling and retelling his “war stories.” He was stationed for a time in Morocco as a lifeguard and actually rescued a girl from drowning.

Frank and Mary Jane lived in her hometown of Valdez, Alaska for a year after their marriage. He thoroughly enjoyed the climate including the cold, snowy weather in spite of the fact that he had been raised in Hawaii. Frank was an avid fisherman and loved pleasure boating with his family in Puget Sound and the San Juans.

According to his wishes, Frank will be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea. The family plans a memorial service in early August at the First Baptist Church of South Whidbey in Freeland.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Frank’s name are suggested to the First Baptist Church of South Whidbey, PO Box 113, Freeland, WA 98249, or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, 12721 30th Ave NE, Ste 101, Seattle, WA 98125.

Special thanks to the staff of Bethany at Pacific and to the Group Health Hospice nurses and volunteers. Arrangements by Visser Funeral Home, Langley.