Alice Ann Hjelmstad's Obituary
Alice Orloske Hjelmstad, born March 30, 1935 to Max and Dora (Rayton) Orloske in Adna, WA, passed peacefully at her home in Lakewood, WA on Thursday May 13, 2010.
Alice was a 1953 Adna High School graduate and moved to Tacoma working for the United Pacific Insurance Company as an insurance clerk. In 1956 she met and married her husband of 50 years, Ronald Duane Hjelmstad (deceased 2006) of Grand Forks ND while he was serving in the US Army at Fort Lewis. Ron was stationed and they moved to the territory of Alaska. In 1957 they had their first daughter Karen, and in 1959 Debra Ann Durance (deceased 2007) followed while they celebrated the statehood of Alaska. Their only son Larry was born in 1962. Alice was a supportive wife and mother remaining home with their children while Ron served his country in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Alice cherished her time spent at her Ocean Shores property with family and friends going camping, clam digging, and finding treasures at garage sales. She enjoyed playing pinochle, clipping coupons, being a member or AREWS and watching the Seattle Mariners and Seahawks. She was known for her great recipes and cooking.
She is survived by her daughter Karen McCabe (Doug) Concord, NC, son Larry Hjelmstad, Lakewood, son-in-law Durance, Tacoma, five grandchildren, Ryan McCabe, Livonia, MI, Reece McCabe Kalamazoo, MI, Jennifer Durance, Tacoma, Lindsy Durance, Tacoma, and Larry Hjelmstad II, Lakewood, all of whom she was very proud. Also her sisters Lois Keen, Centralia, Sharon Johnson (Coe) Adna and Maxine Duncan (Dennis), Chehalis, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Visitation will be held from 10:00AM -9:00PM Tuesday May 18th, 2010. The service will be held at 1:00PM on Wednesday May 19, 2010 in the Mountain View Celebration of Life Center.
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