Ernest Joseph Boulanger
January 7, 1914 - May 20, 2005
Obituary
Ernest Joseph “Curly” Boulanger. Ernie was born January 7, 1914. The youngest of four boys. The only one born in this country, he was the son of Emile and Elvire Baijot Boulanger from Belgium. He was six when his mother died. His dad took them back to their grandparents in Belgium. The boys convinced their father to return. They settled in Ballard. During his last year at Ballard High, Ernie enlisted in the CC Camp. From there he joined his family in Nome, AK. He was employed by U.S. Mining, Refining and Smelting during the season and attended Nome High School graduating as Valedictorian, then attended the University of Alaska at Fairbanks where he was a member of the Hockey Team. He also found time to work a dredge with two friends. While in Nome, he met and married Zelda January 27, 1940. They came outside in 1942 and bought on Angle Lake where he built the family home and became active in the community. He was employed at the shipyards, followed by his joining with two of his friends The “Fly-Boys” James Harper and Jack Thomas in the Northwest Equipment Sales and Dirt Moving Company. Later he joined Western Tractor and Equipment. He later accepted an offer to buy into the Puyallup Smith Tractor and Equipment John Deere Store and become General Manager. It turned out to be a good move for the company, John Deere, and for Ernie. He soon established a new John Deere Store at Fife, later at Montesano. He was a member of the Alaska Yukon Pioneers, The Equipment Dealers Association, life-time member of Puyallup Elks, the Angle Lake Shore Club, Angle Lake Toastmasters, Thousand Trails, Happy Trails Resort in Arizona and the National Organization for Women. He will be remembered with affection for his honesty, character, loving of God, family and countrymen. His good nature, laughter, generosity and hard work. He was a Gentle Man and a Gentleman. He is survived by his wife Zelda K. Boulanger; daughter, Coralee B. Stephenson Richard E. of California; granddaughter, Danielle B. Everson Rob Elma; grandson Morgan Stephenson Shannon and two great grandsons, Jacoby and Julian; brother-in-law Nicholas D. Kurt, daughter-in-law Sandi Boulanger Furlong and granddaughter, Kelly Routing Sean and Tiffany Evans. The Boulanger nephews; Richard Mary Ann, Lawrence Arlene, F. David Mena, Mark Serena, Jack deceased and his widow Sharon; Norman, Ted, Michael Ailsa, T.J. McLaughlin, Rick McLaughlin, Joe Goodelk, James Soderholm, Nicholas, John and Peter Kurt Jennifer; his nieces Joan Donohue Dan, Margaret O’Brien John, Barbara Hopke, Jeanette McNamar Mac, Diane Waring Mason Jim, Virginia Goodelk McLaughlin Pat, Patti Ann McLaughlin, Mary Lynn Kurt Soderholm and June Cline Huntsman James. He was preceded in death by his son Michael Wayne Sandi, his parents Emile and Elvire Baijot Boulanger; mother-in-law Cora Kurt, granddaughter, Andrea Lewis; brothers, Ferd Marje, Julian Elinor Octave Madeline his sisters-in-law Anna Cline Goodelk Joseph Mary Kurt Kugler Ernest; brothers-in-law Alton S. Cline Helen and Fitzhugh Lee Cline; his nephew, Philip Goodelk Virginia Cecil. Services Saturday, June 4, 2005, 11:00 AM at St. Tomas Catholic Church, 4415 S. 140th, Tukwila. Reception and lunch follow. Interment, St. Patricks’ Catholic Cemetery, at S 204th Street and Orillia Road, Kent, WA. The family extends it’s Sincere Appreciation to Dr. James J. Bergman and Dr. J. Thomas Ylvisaker and their staffs, the staff at Group Health Eastside Hospital and the staff at Caroline Kline Gallant Home where he spent five weeks in therapy prior to returning to the hospital. They feel deeply that everything possible was done for him and for them. He suffered from esophagus Cancer 5 months.
Aunt Zelda, I was sorry to hear of your loss. I will make sure Poppa gets the news. All my love.
I wish I could have found out soon enough to attend his services. I just received information today. Our love to Zelda and Coralee. He will be missed.
I am so sorry to learn of your loss. I hope you are finding comfort in family and friends. God has made provision to end all suffering, even mans greatest enemy death. At Revelation 21:4, states, “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.” Yes one day we will be reunited with our dead love ones. May these pleasant thought help you.
Ernie was one of the nicest people I ever new and the best boss I ever had. Jerry Nettnin
We have fond memories of our past in our younger years. We treasure those memories.
god bless aunt zelda & family uncle was truley a wonderful man I will miss him Mike & Elsa Boulanger