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| SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | FEBRUARY 2020 | 67 Friends we will miss Ellen Jane Mikkelsen, Sun Lakes resident since 1989, peacefully completed her journey of life on October 7, 2019, three weeks after celebrating her 97th birthday with family and friends. Ellen was born in Astoria, Oregon on September 17, 1922 to Esther Ruby Smith Foster and Lloyd Foster. She enjoyed a fun-filled childhood in Longview, Washington. Her father established Foster Auto Supply and was an avid fan of boats. His first yacht was the "Seawolf " followed by the WEGO 1 and WEGO ll (which was the fastest boat on the Columbia river). He was instrumental in creating the Longview Yacht Club in 1932. The family spent their leisure time on boating and camping trips and activities with the Club. Ellen attended Washington State College for two years and joined the Kappa Delta Sorority where she met her future husband, Delbert Norman Mikkelsen, who belonged to Lamda Chi Alpha Fraternity. Ellen and Del's education was interrupted by World War II. On July 11, 1942 they were married in Longview and then moved to Cashmere, WA where Del was associated with his parents in their apple orchard and warehouse businesses. Ellen cared for their young son Scott, in Tampa, FL while Del served overseas as a tail gunner with the Air Force. After the war, Del and Ellen returned to Longview, where in 1946 he became associated with the Foster Auto Supply which had been purchased by his parents following the death of his father-in-law. Ellen was very active in Sun Lakes. She belonged to many clubs and groups, including Garden Club, Lady Niners, Friends of Bocce, Genealogical Society, and Friendship Club. She loved reading, being with friends, and traveling. She was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority for more than 60 years, and a member of the "Society of Mayflower Descendants." Her ancestry could be traced back to William Bradford, who came to the New World from England on the Mayflower in 1620, and became the first Colonial Governor of Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. Ellen is survived by her youngest daughter, Pamela, who lives in Sun Lakes with her husband, Chuck Rasmussen. Her cheerfulness and friendly smile will be sorely missed. Eugene "Gene" Thomas Skasick It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Gene Skasick at the age of 87, leaving his wife, Effie of 68 years, daughter, Sharon Ann Skasick, of Sun Lakes and son, Eric Eugene Skasick and his wife, Lorri Berry Skasick. He is also survived by his grandson, Cheyne Eugene Skasick and family and granddaughter, Lindsey Skasick Bryant and family. He had three great- grandchildren, Christian Bryant, Skylar Bryant and Noah Eugene Skasick. Gene moved his wife Effie and daughter Sharon to California in 1956 to take a job in the construction industry. He became a crane operator until his retirement in 1989, at which time he and Effie retired to St. George, Utah. In 1999, they moved to Sun Lakes to be closer to their children and grandchildren. They have lived in Sun Lakes for 20 years.

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