Barbara Vanderflute's Obituary
Barbara Marie Vanderflute
Barbara Vanderflute, born 11/8/1929 in Tacoma to Felix and Harriet Lichte, passed away Monday 8/22/2011. Barbara was a worthy matron of the S Tacoma Rainbow Girls and graduated from Lincoln High School 4th in her class of 2200. She was head teller at the North Pacific Bank in S Tacoma. Barbara married Richard C. Vanderflute on 8/6/1949; they resided in Lake City, then moved to Puyallup, where they recently celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary. Along with their son Scott Vanderflute, they owned and operated the Paradise Ski School from 1957-1998, both at Paradise on Mt Rainier and later at Crystal Mountain Ski area. In 1965 they purchased Parkland Sports Center, which she was instrumental in helping operate with much success until it was sold in 2002. Barbara loved the outdoors, especially hiking, and climbed Mt Rainier in 1970 and Mt St Helens several times prior to its eruption. She enjoyed traveling throughout the US and Canada in their family-owned twin Cessna, sharing those trips with family and friends. Some of her favorite places were Mackinac Island, MI, Grand Canyon, Carlsbad Caverns, Bahamas, and Sun Valley, ID. They traveled to New Zealand and several trips to Western Europe. An avid and beautiful snow skier, she skied local areas, Canada, and many countries she visited in Europe. Barbara is survived by her husband Dick, son Scott (Cathy), granddaughter Michele Tvedt, cousin Sam Grubbe, and nieces Nancy Richardson, Sally Carpenter, and Jill Severence. A memorial reception will be held at Mountain View Memorial Park in the Celebration of Life Building Oak Room on Friday, 8/26/2011, from 2-5pm. We appreciate your calls and your prayers.
Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home.
What’s your fondest memory of Barbara?
What’s a lesson you learned from Barbara?
Share a story where Barbara's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Barbara you’ll never forget.
How did Barbara make you smile?