Sigrid Pernela

Sigrid Pernela a longtime resident of Olympia and Lacey, WA died Friday, January 20, 2017 at the age of 99 at Assurance Adult Family Home in Bothell, WA.

She was born on August 23, 1917 to Ole Strom and Margit Melbo at Horse Butte Saskatchewan, Canada; both Norwegian immigrants.  With five brothers and a sister, she was raised on the family homestead, a wheat farm near Kyle Saskatchewan

In 1939, she moved to Vancouver WA, where in May 1940 she married Olaf Pernela of Hockinson, WA.  She was naturalized in July 1943.  They initially lived in Kelso, WA. and had two children Lloyd (1942) and Agnes (1945-2014).  Olaf served in WWII with the Navy SeaBees.  Upon his discharge in 1946, they moved to a farm south of Tenino WA.  In 1948 they moved to Olympia, WA where Olaf worked as a carpenter/millwright.  In 1972, they moved to a Johnson Point beach home.

December 28,1983 Olaf died. They were married forty-three years. Sigrid moved in 1988 to Vista Village Condominiums in Lacey WA where she enjoyed friends, neighbors and community activities.  In 2006, she moved to Kirkland WA to live with her Son, Lloyd, and his wife Karen. In Fall of 2007 she became a resident of Sunshine Adult Family Home in Kirkland, WA and later Assurance Adult Family Home.

She was an active member of Olympia’s Gloria Dei Lutheran Church.  From 1948) at the 5th and Adams church thru 2006.  At the annual Lutefisk dinners, she proudly wore her bunad (a Norwegian traditional folk dress) representing her mother’s Norwegian Hardanger District.  A valued participant in Friendship Quilters Group, Circles, Hope Ship and serving the church community.  She loved needle work and crocheting.  Her quilting stand was always busy.  She was an excellent cook focusing upon her rich knowledge and love of Norwegian cooking.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ole and Margit; her husband, Olaf (1914-1983); her daughter, Agnes (1945-2014); and all six siblings: Agnes, Oscar, Arnold, Erling Alfred and Magnus.  She is survived by her son, Lloyd and daughter-in-law Karen and their six grand-children: Nissa, Ryan, Aaron, Kaia, Sonja and Ethan, and ten great grandchildren: Emily, Jules, Emma, Sophie, Colby, Arianna, Ariel, Ayva, Raven and Zoe.

She will be dearly remembered by her family and friends.  A family graveside service will occur this Spring at Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery in Brush Prairie, WA.  Please share your memories in the comment section below.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

Alzheimer’s Association
P.O. Box 96011
Washington, DC 20090-6011