Ilse F. Fast's Obituary
Ilse F. Fast
Ilse Frieda Hedwig Fast was born May 26, 1927 in Karlsruhe Germany to Franz Leopold and Ottilie Maria Mackert. She passed away peacefully on June 6, 2008 at the age of 81 in Tacoma Washington. Ilse lived her early years in Germany with her parents, sister Gertrude and brother Manfred and as a young woman worked for an insurance company in Germany. She met her husband Archie W. Fast in the 1950s when he was stationed by the U.S. Army near her hometown of Karlsruhe. They married in 1955, moved to the U.S. in 1956 and continued to move around the States as an Army family while raising three children. She proudly became a U.S. citizen as soon as she was able to. While stationed at Ft. Lewis they fell in love with Washington State as it reminded them of Germany and in 1966 Archie retired from active military life to live in Spanaway Washington. Her children and home making occupied Ilse's first years living in Spanaway. In the 1970s and 80s she worked for Pacific Lutheran University and Bethel School District in food services. Ilse was an excellent ballroom dancer with Archie as her dance partner. She also enjoyed activities with her many German and other friends, including swimming, shopping, lunches, often at local German restaurants and delicatessens, and membership in AREWS. Ilse traveled to Germany every few years to visit her long time German friends as well as family members who lived in and around Karlsruhe and in parts of the Black Forest, especially the town of Schielberg. She loved to write and receive letters from her friends in Germany and the U.S. and through the years she remained a loyal friend with letters and telephone calls until a long illness prevented her from doing either. She resided in Spanaway until 2003. Ilse is survived by her children: Caroline (Felix) Calvillo, Heidi (David) Copeland, John (Kristie) Fast with granddaughters Shelby and Jordan. She is also survived by former sister-in-law Karolina (Fast) Eberle of Tenino WA and her children Perry, Shirley, Sylvia, Edna, Ruby, their spouses and families; Fast family members in Oregon. She is fondly remembered by her friends including those residing in Germany. Preceded in death by husband Archie (1993), and her parents, sister, and brother. Remembrances in her name may be made to Tacoma Lutheran Home at 1301 North Highlands Parkway Tacoma Wa and to Franciscan Hospice PO Box 1502 Tacoma WA. The family sincerely wishes to thank the Tacoma Lutheran Home staff, Ocean Wing in particular, for their compassionate committed care and respect during her final years. A memorial service will be held at Mountain View Garden Chapel at 11am on June 20, 2008. Arrangements by Mountain View Funeral Home at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W. Lakewood Wa.
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