OBITUARIES

Nicholas ‘Nick’ Isenhart

Nicholas “Nick” Houston Isenhart, age 39, of Bellingham passed away on Monday, July 17, 2023 as a result of a tragic accident on the construction job site.

Nick was born Dec. 27, 1983 in Bellingham to parents Ken and Marsha Isenhart. He attended Harmony Elementary, graduated from Mount Baker Junior and Senior High School, and then attended Washington State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. Go Cougs!

Nick worked various jobs in his early years, but greatly enjoyed

Doris Tussey

the winter of 20062007 as a ski instructor at Jackson Hole. He went to work for family-owned Tiger Construction in 2007, and became an owner in 2015. In December 2014 he met the love of his life DeAnza Fox and they were married on Sept. 7, 2019. In the short time of fatherhood, Nick was able to create memories and share special trips including Marco Island, Hawaii and Colorado, among numerous other small trips with his greatest joys Maddie and Kenny. He was extremely generous and an amazing father and husband. He was a loving family man, patient, supportive and caring. He always made sure his family was taken

Doris Tussey, a longtime Lynden resident, died on May 1, 2023, at the age of 105. Doris was born to Elias and Helen Tanasiuk in January 1918, near Wostok, Alberta. She is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Brian) Koester and Linda Bortles, ve grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, several of her 17 siblings, and many nieces and nephews. She

Joel

Edin

Jorgensen

Joel Edin Jorgensen, beloved husband, father, grandpa and friend, passed away peacefully Sunday, July 23, 2023, in his home surrounded by family and friends, at the age of 73.

Ronald D. Bennett

care of. Nick was also proud of his lifelong friendships. Nick was a big kid at heart, spontaneous, energetic and likeable. ose traits drew people – lots of them – into his world. He had a great sense of humor and could make anybody laugh. He made all people feel welcomed. He was genuine and had the ability to see both sides of a situation. He believed the best of people and always gave others the bene t of the doubt. He was kind, patient and truly a friend to everyone.

To say Nick loved sports would be an understatement. His high school days included playing football and basketball. He continued to share his passion by coaching youth leagues during his college years. Nick was always up to date in the sports world and was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis B. Tussey, Jr. and her son-in-law, Lynel Bortles. Her husband served in the Air Force, so she lived in many places in the United States and in Germany. Before moving to Lynden, she was a long-time resident of East Wenatchee, Washington.

Doris was the anchor for her family and a much-loved honorary grandmother to friends of the family. She is remembered for her generosity and hospitality — you could be sure you would be fed the minute you walked in her door, and visitors could count on her to remember

Joe was born in Bellingham to Chris Jorgensen and Jan Hatch on Sept. 18, 1949. Both parents preceded him in death. Joe is survived by his wife of 46 years, Paula Jorgensen, daughter Jamie (Josh) Ross, son Jeromy (Kristyn) Jorgensen, grandchildren Allison and Emmalynn Ross, Suraya and Kegan Jorgensen, brother Jerry (Lori) Jorgensen, and sister

Ronald D. Bennett, age 88, passed away June 11, 2023 at the Spokane Veteran’s Home with his family at his side.

Born Feb. 12, 1935, Ron grew

Jennifer Ann Simpson

Our beloved mother, Jennifer Ann Simpson passed peacefully into the presence of her Savior on July 18, 2023. She was 79 years old.

Jennifer’s hobbies included sewing, crocheting (she recently taught herself to crochet, by watching YouTube videos) reading, connecting with new found family via Ancestory, and attending her

Mary Louise Lawson

up in the tiny town of Mineral, IL and joined the Navy at age 17. After actively serving for 20 years, including both the Korean and Vietnam conicts, he settled in Bellingham where he met his wife of 50 years, Marilyn Means. Ron was very active in the community as he forged a you could always count on him for an educational conversation about his favorite teams, the WSU Cougars and Seattle Seahawks. Some of his other favorite pastimes included skiing, snowmobiling, shing, going to WSU football games, spending time with his family, and sitting around the re with those he loved. He will be lovingly missed by his wife DeAnza Isenhart, his children, Madeline Jane (2 ½) and Kenneth Houston (1); his mother Marsha Isenhart; his brother Scott (Anne) Isenhart and their daughters Sarah and Emily. His sister Becky (Kristian) Peterson and their children Kate, Jules and Jack. His in-laws Clyde (Denise) Fox, and Donnell (Ken) Miller; brother-in-law Devin (Rebecca) Fox and their children Makaylee, Matteo, Chevy, their favorite dish or sweet. Doris kept an immaculate home and loved to garden. She had a wonderful smile and a witty sense of humor. She was a joy to be around.

Doris was adventuresome and tough. Even well into her ninth decade, she did not shy away from new experiences. She went to a Colorado Rockies baseball game the day after she was discharged from a Denver hospital. She was 89 at the time. At 91, she took a raft trip down the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park. She may have been the oldest woman ever to do so, according to the guide. After hitting the century mark, the adventures occurred closer career in real estate, serving as president of the American Legion, Navy League, and the Whatcom County board of realtors. However, Ron’s true passion was found in his family, especially his grandchildren and the great-grandchildren he got to know before Alzheimer’s began to take its church. A self-proclaimed perfectionist in everything she did, she was meticulous in every aspect of her life and it showed. She was a picture of elegance and her beautiful smile would light up a room. She will be dearly missed by all her knew and loved her. Gillian and Je , their children Cameron, Shaelyn and Mason, Adele and her children Mary and Amanda. Brother Peter as well as Andrew and Caroline.

Heidi (Scott) Fulcher. Joe loved his family and was a friend to everyone. He was a very hard worker both at home and professionally. After serving two years in the Army, he attended community college and went on to work at Darigold for 26 years, followed by six years as the grounds and maintenance supervisor for Lynden School District. Joe loved nature, his woods, being outside and spent much of his lifetime shing the local rivers and lakes. He loved his dogs, making pickles, enjoyed working on cars and xing almost anything.

Mary Louise Lawson was born on July 22, 1931 in Baldwin Park, California. She passed into the arms of Jesus on Memorial Day Monday, May 29, 2023. She was 91 years old. She spent most of her life as a pastor’s wife, mar-

Ruby Elizabeth Blasingame

Ruby Elizabeth Blasingame (Morgan, Clay) passed away peacefully on July 27, 2023. She was 94. Ruby resided at Meadow Greens in Lynden. She is survived by her husband Darrell Blasingame, grand- to home, entertaining family and friends. A memorial service will be held at Grace Baptist Church, Lynden, on Sept. 9, 2023, at 1 p.m. In lieu of owers, please donate to Whatcom County Hospice. Doris’ family is very grateful for the hospice sta , who made it possible to honor Doris’ wish to stay in her home until her death. toll. Ron is survived by his wife Marilyn (Means), son C J and wife Katie, grandchildren Tammy Brandvold (Jake), Jordan, Je rey, Kayla Clay (Chris), Jon (Nadia), Greta Harp (Adam), Aggie, soon to be eight great-grandchildren, and numerous family in Illinois. On Friday Aug. 4 at 2 e family would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at St Joseph’s Hospital in Bellingham and e Whatcom Hospice House. As well as Dr. Hiemstra at Lynden Family Medicine.

Caius, Makennah, Manoah and Coryden; brother-in-law Denver (Michaela) Fox and their children Carter, Raegan, Brooklynn, Eleanor, and Blakely; numerous aunts and uncles and cousins, his close group of childhood and college friends and loyal dog, Molly.

Nick is preceded in death by his father Ken Isenhart, grandparents Sam and Betty Childress and Jim and Clara Isenhart. A special thank you to the Tiger crew that was with him in his last moments.

Nick’s memorial will be held on Sunday, Aug. 13, 2023 at 2 p.m. at the Ferndale Event Center, 5715 Barrett Road, with a reception to follow. A private interment will be at Nooksack Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Doris died safe in the knowledge that she would never again have to witness a Donald Trump presidential campaign or presidency. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Joe lived his life valuing simplicity and helping others, believing that one should be grateful for everything they have.

A celebration of life honoring Joe will be held on Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023 at 1 p.m. at North 40, at 9800 May Road, Sumas, preceded by a graveside service at noon at Lakeside Cemetery. In his memory and in a re ection of his preference, we ask that in place of owers you might please donate to Whatcom County Hospice instead. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Jennifer’s last parting words to family and friends who were in her hospital room, “ ank you for being a part of my story.” ried to Ken Lawson on April 1, 1950. He preceded her in death at the age of 61. Mary had three children: Glenda (who preceded her in death at age 49), Kenny Lawson and Lynette Morgan Floreano, 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Her passions included building custom homes with her husband, making music, enjoying the ocean and bird watching and learning about the nation of Israel. e family had a private celebration of life service on Lake Whatcom in Bellingham on her st heavenly birthday, July 22, 2023. Some of Mary’s ashes will be spread at Cannon Beach, Oregon and in Israel. She will be buried beside her daughter, Glenda Lawson, in 10 Mile Cemetery in Lynden. daughter Valorie Morgan, brother Jim Clay, his wife Joanne and many nieces and nephews. She is proceeded in death by her parents, Alma Greene Clay and Lenard Bertram Clay, her late-husband Harold Morgan, son Doug Morgan, brothers Bob, and Lowel Clay. Ruby was born in 1929 in Springeld, Missouri and graduated high school in Fremont, Missouri. She moved with her family to Lynden in 1960. From Lynden, her journey took her to Castle Rock and Texas, until she eventually moved back to Lynden. Ruby loved music, and started playing the piano when she was 7. Most of her adult life she shared her gift of music, playing piano for the church and her family. Ruby enjoyed working with her hands, knitting, crocheting and p.m., a graveside service with military honors is planned at Woodlawn Cemetery in Ferndale. Immediately following will be a reception at Moles Greenacres, 5700 Northwest Drive, Ferndale. In lieu of owers donations can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.ALZ.org.

Funeral arrangements are Saturday, Aug. 12 at 1 p.m. at Victory Christian Fellowship, 205 S. B.C. Avenue, Lynden.

Thomas Mercer

Thomas Mercer passed away on July 26, 2023 at the age of 87. His death was attributed to heart failure. omas was born on April 19, 1936 in Comox, British Columbia. He served in the Canadian Armed Forces and was stationed in the Yukon Territory. He was an avid square dancer and rose to the position of auditor and assistant vice president at a Puget Sound Bank. omas is survived by his wife Beryl, son Roderick, and granddaughter Emily. Services are planned for later in the year. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

sewing. She always said, “If you can do hand work, you will never be bored.” She loved to play bingo at Meadow Greens and was a bright light to many. She had a positive attitude about life, and always knew whatever she faced that it would all work out.

A celebration of her life will be held at Meadow Greens in Lynden on Saturday Aug. 5 at 2 p.m.