Olive F. Berntsen's Obituary
Olive Frances Berntsen (Bunten), 87, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, April 13, 2004. Olive was born in 1916 in Seattle, the oldest of five children. She graduated from Roosevelt High School. The family then moved to Port Orchard where Olive raised her younger brothers and sisters after their motherÂ's untimely death. Despite being born with a handicapped right hand, Olive learned to play the violin and played at USO clubs in Bremerton during WWII. She went on to perform in the Bremerton Symphony and Pacific Lutheran University orchestra. Olive married Waldemar Berntsen in 1944. They moved to Parkland in 1948 where Waldemar built a house and they raised their three children. Olive was an active member of the Parkland United Methodist Church. She worked in the bindery at Pacific Lutheran University for 25 years, and sent all of her children to college at the University of Puget Sound. Olive will always be remembered as a supportive and loving parent. She was a musician, and she passed her love of music down to her children and grandchildren. All of her children are professional musicians. In 2002, she performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, where her son plays the trumpet. Olive was active in Altrusa International and the Toastmistress Club. She loved to sew and knit, and was a 4-H Leader for her children. She was an avid basketball fan, and refereed her grandchildrenÂ's backyard game a week before her death. Her loving spirit and work ethic has permeated the generations that follow her. She will always be remembered by her three children Sharon (Dave), Janice, Neal (Karen), seven grandchildren and brother Patrick (Jean) Bunten. Services will be held Saturday, April 17, 2004 at 11:00 AM at the First Congregational Church, 209 S J in Tacoma. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Altrusa International.
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