Margaret Tullis' Obituary
In Loving Memory
Margaret Lorraine Buske Tullis, age 90, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home, February 26, 2021. She was born in Seattle, Wa to Charles Frank Buske and Ruth Clara Bell Dahlberg Buske. Born March 7, 1930 she was the second born of 8 children.
She was preceded in death by her oldest brother Harold John Buske, her ex-husband and lifetime partner Clinton Monroe Tullis, Grandson Ryan Shawn Erickson, her only sister Ruth Marie Buske Sanft, and youngest brother David Kennith Buske.
She is survived by her brothers Franklin A. Buske, Charles (junior) Buske, Robert and Richard Buske, daughter Shelley Ann Erickson (husband John), son Mark Leon Tullis (wife Marilyn), son Kent Armont Tullis (wife Cindy) and daughter Melanie Diane Kalliainen (husband Ken).
She has 12 grandchildren, 22 Great Grandchildren and 3 Great Great Grandchildren. She was very proud of her family and loved each and every one of us. Though her age and fraility kept her from visiting as much, and then covid made all visits impossible, her family is what mattered the most to her. She worried about our struggles and triumphed with our successes.
As a child Margaret lived in Des Moines, WA and then later in a Victorian house near the old Sunny Jim peanut butter factory in the Industrial area of Seattle. She used to wear a particular dress with large front pockets, so she could go to Sunny Jim and have her pockets filled with peanuts. She liked to talk about climbing trees and playing with the neighbor children. Her best friend was Charlene Rossman. Together they enjoyed riding their bikes to Seward Park, roller skating, snow skiing, shopping downtown and riding around in her oldest brother Harold’s car. In 10th grade both she and Charlene were cheerleaders at Cleveland High School. She enjoyed oil painting and crochet, too.
After 10th grade she went to work for the Hostess Bakery. She gave part of her pay to help with their large family. She has always been a hard worker. Shopping was her favorite past time and she always managed to dress fashionable.
When she was 20 she met Clinton M. Tullis at a dance hall downtown Seattle. Two months later on September 8th, 1950 they were married in Zion’s Lutheran church in Seattle. Clint’s sisters, who were young in age at the time, thought she was a princess who lived in a castle. They raised 4 children, Shelley, Mark, Kent and Melanie. The first 3 were born in Idaho while Clint worked the old family farm. After farming didn’t provide enough for their family they decided to move back to Seattle where they were able to purchase a home in West Seattle near Delridge Park and playing fields. Her uncle John Buske helped them with a down payment. Eventually they had the home remodeled with built in closets, cabinets and drawers in 2 bedrooms, changed the front entry, added a utility room, bedroom for the boys, remodeled the kitchen and only bathroom. It wasn’t a large home, but it was comfortable.
She went to work at the Boeing Company on September 4th, 1968 and Retired June 1, 1995. She was temporarily laid off during Boeing’s first big layoff, but not for long. She was blessed with bosses who transferred her to areas where she was able to keep working the rest of her career. She worked as a Riveter, Shop Clerk, Tool Room Clerk and an Electrician on the Jetfoil Program. She took classes to become an electrician. After 3 years she decided the confined, cramped spaces were too hard on her body and the wiring was hard on her eyesight. So, she went back to mostly working in the Tool Room. During her career she worked on the 747, Jetfoil and 757 programs. She
worked at Paine Field in Everett, Boeing Field, the 1040 Building on the south end of Lake Washington in Renton and last next to the Renton Municipal Airport. She worked every different shift, carpooled with neighbors, took the bus and later drove herself when she had the day shift and was closer to home. She worked a lot of overtime over the years to better provide for our family. She worked hard to keep us in our home and to make sure we had what we needed. She was blessed with good health most of the time, but had reconstructive kidney surgery in her late 40s or early 50s (?). She had a twisted kidney since birth that left her in pain at times. The urologist did a great job and she was forever grateful. She was finally pain free.
Most of our family travels were to Eastern Washington or Idaho. We enjoyed camping, fishing and clam digging at Westport and north of Ocean Shores. We went on short day hikes near the Snoqualmie River and other nearby places. She gave us all good childhood memories with her holiday meals, baking, family traditions and encouragement. Broiled Cinnamon Toast and hot chocolate were the best.
She had faith in God and said she prayed often. She believed that our Spirit’s continue to live after death and that we are reunited with loved ones. She looked forward to that. She missed her Sister Ruth and never stopped expressing that after Ruth passed away. She missed her Mom and her sisters in law, her grandson Ryan and a few others.
Margaret had an uncanny ability to remember a lot of details from the past. In the end dementia was getting worse and memories became more confused. She had moments of greater clarity though. She dreamed a lot and would talk about her dreams and such. She never forgot that she loved her family. In the end she told her daughter Melanie that she was going to miss things here. Then a couple of days later said she was ready to move, but didn’t know where when asked. She seemed to be thinking through many things that she couldn’t fully express. She was so happy to have so many visitors and enjoyed the singing.
We love you and miss you though we know you are watching over us all. Enjoy the campfire singing, Luaus, walks on the beach and your great reunion with loved ones on the other side. Forever In Our Hearts, and our Memories, Mom, Grandma, Auntie, Great Grandma, Great Great Grandma, Sister and friend.
Memorial Service
May 6, 2021
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
19909 SE Wax Rd
Maple Valley, WA 98038
11:00 am – Noon
Reception
Noon – 1:00 pm
Funeral/Inurnment
Mountain View Cemetery
2020 Mountain View Dr.
Auburn, WA 98001
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
*Note: For directions visit auburnwa.gov.or google(just make sure it’s the address listed above) Cremation and Obituary are through Mountain View Tacoma/Lakewood. However, the Funeral/Inurnment will be at Mountain View Auburn. See the above address. If ordering flowers through this website please select deliver to family or order from a local florist as they will be delivered to the wrong Mountain View.
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