Myrtle (Mert) C. West
July 7, 1925 - February 18, 2016
Obituary
Myrtle (Mert) C. West
Myrtle C. Lange was born July 7th, 1925 in Max, North Dakota. She was welcomed by her older brother Robert and then joined by younger sisters Lorraine, Margie, Florence and Delores. Mert spent most of her childhood in Valley City, North Dakota, graduating from St. Catherine’s High School in 1943. She worked for Sears and Roebuck in North Dakota and transferred to Seattle in 1950. While on the journey west, she met her future husband Frank on the train as he was on his way to Kodiak, Alaska for the Navy.
On January 19th, 1952, Mert and Frank were married by a Justice of the Peace in Seattle. They lived with Bob and Phyllis Lange on Capitol Hill. They bought their first house in October of 1953 in Gregory Heights in Burien. Four daughters were born while living in this two bedroom house. Frank helped build a four bedroom home in nearby deLoro Heights that they moved into in July 1959. In 1961, a son was born to round out the family.
While raising five children, Mert babysat numerous neighborhood kids and worked for the Highline School District. At Highline High School, where all 5 of her children graduated from, she was known as the “ice cream lady.” As if Mert weren’t busy enough raising her children and being a neighborhood mom, she stayed even busier by playing softball or cards, bowling, taking pictures, crafting, or traveling the world.
Upon retirement, Mert and Frank moved to Scott Lake next door to lifelong friends Dick and Pat Kubicek. When the drive to visit family became too much, they moved to Rio Verde in Auburn in 2004. Many neighborhood friendships were formed during their 54 years of marriage. After retirement, Mert spent many hours baking cookies, making washi eggs and spending time with her family, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Mert was always the organizer of events with projects always in the works. At Christmas she baked literally thousands of pastries for family and friends. Her camera was always at the ready for a candid shot. There wasn’t a holiday, birthday or anniversary that passed without some type of card or greeting from Mert. We really don’t know how she managed so much. Nothing seemed to get Mert’s spirit down. She dealt with numerous significant medical issues, the passing of Frank 10 years ago and with all that she remained a positive force in everyone’s life.
Myrtle West died February 18th, 2016 in Federal Way, Washington. She was preceded in death by her husband Frank. She is survived by her loving family: Daughter Georgia, her husband Bob Bailey and their children Grant and Leslie. Daughter Gloria, her husband Ed Plumlee and their children Courtney, Jessica and Andrew. Daughter Sharon West and Dave Grundvig. Daughter Susie Minkiewitz and her children Laura and Thomas. Son Joe West and his wife Sheri West. Sister Margie Martin and sister Florence and her husband Melvin Zaun. Also numerous other family members and friends.
A viewing and rosary will be held on Monday March 7th from 2-5p.m. at Bonney-Watson Federal Way, 1535 SW Dash Point Rd, Federal Way 98003. A service will be held on Tuesday March 8th at 10a.m. at Bonney-Watson Federal Way, followed by a 1:15p.m. internment at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE 240th St, Kent 98042. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Lung Association, 822 John St., Seattle 98109.
The family would like to thank everyone for their prayers, thoughts, hugs and kindnesses at this time.
As Mert and Frank were known to say and believe:
“Always Kiss Me Goodnight. I Love you.”
I am so sorry for your loss, your mother was such a stalwart & an important part of your lives. I loved reading her annual Christmas letter to bring me up to date on all of you, I missed that this past Christmas, now I know why. Keep her alive in your hearts with the many wonderful memories. My husband was Hutch Hoffman, brother of Norman. We enjoyed spending time with your folks when they would travel back to ND & Minn. Please know that you are all in my prayers.
Mert will be missed by everyone that she ever had contact
with as she was always willing to plan a party or help some-
one. We were neighbors in DelLaura Height for several
years & our 4 children were the same age as Frank & Mert’s
last 4 children. They all went to grade school together &
played in our back yard most of the time. She organized our
block party’s that we had in the culdasac for at least 5 years.
She planed games for the children & we even had a keg of
beer & of course lots of good food which we all supplied. I
was fortunate to talk to Mert about 2 weeks before she pass-
ed away & we had a lot of memories to talk about. We also
missed her Christmas letters keeping us in formed about her
family which was always interesting. We will truly miss her.
Love, The Matheson Family
It was great to know you as a friend. You inspired so many people and your happy personality always made me smile. Loved playing pinochle with you at the Rio Verde Clubhouse. You will be missed. RIP Mert.
Wee are sadden by the Loss of you beloved Mother
IS now at rest in the LORDS House beside her beloved husband Frank.
We have lots of happy memories of our time spent with Mert&
Frank at there home with the guys from Northwest Airlines poring the cement for the hot tub.
And at Scotts Lake for there 50 anniversary ,.
Our thoughts and Prayers are with all of you at this time..
Rest In Peace Mirt & Frank. .