Edwin Lloyd Walvatne

Edwin Lloyd Walvatne, 90, a longtime resident of Lopez Island, passed this earthly life at St Joseph’s Hospital, Bellingham, on May 8, 2017. He was born on January 17, 1927 in Ossian, Iowa and the son of John and Clara (Risvold) Walvatne. He had eight brothers and five sisters. Prior to living on Lopez Island, Edwin was a resident of Edmonds, Washington.

At the age of 18, Edwin enlisted in the United States Army and served our nation in WWII. During his service, he was deployed in Japan. After his national service, he went into self-employment and worked in two trades: as a commercial fisherman and also in the building industry in drywall and construction.

Edwin met the love of his life, Jennie Sophie Torget in the winter of 1946 at the Ballard Ice Skating Rink and they married on November 15, 1947 in Ballard. They have two sons: Mike (Lorene) and Jeff (Debbie); two daughters: Christine Yateman (Craig) and Diane Bostick (Jim); 11 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Edwin was a devoted husband and father. His wife and children were so cherished by him. He took great joy in caring for them.

He loved fishing, hunting and spending time with his family and friends. In his retirement years, his favorite saying was: ‘busy hands are happy hands.’ He had a passion for golfing, building and flying remote controlled airplanes.

Edwin was a talented wood crafter, who created handmade wooden pens, welcome bears, wood models of antique vehicles, trains, backhoes, cement trucks, motorcycles, school busses, bird houses, eagles, snow boys, Road Runner with Wile E. Coyote, etc. He gifted family and friends (all glad recipients) with his art work.

As a father, Ed is an unforgettable force in the lives of his children. He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Clara, and his siblings, Esther, Florence, Ray, Helen, Joe, Walt, Leo, Marie, and 3 infant brothers: Jimmy and infant twin brothers. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Jennie, his children, and siblings: Johnny (Fran) Walvatne and Jeanette Jordan.

A Celebration of Edwin’s Life will be on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Evans Funeral Chapel, with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lopez Island Medical Clinic, 103 Washburn Place, Lopez Island, WA 98261.

The Walvatne family gratefully thanks Dr. Bob Wilson and the nursing staff, who not only provided compassionate medical care to Edwin but embraced his family with continued support through the years. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel &Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, Washington and the San Juan Islands. To share a memory of Edwin, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com