Kelly Neil Turbyfill

August 7, 1938 – September 3, 2021

Kelly Neil Turbyfill of Sequim, Washington, passed away on September 3, 2021 at Sherwood Manor, where he considered home for the past 15 years. He was 83.

Kelly was born August 7, 1938 in Reydon, Oklahoma, to Charlie Tilden and Helen Theodora (Provines) Turbyfill.

Kelly served eight years active duty in the U.S. Navy, two of which were combat tours in the Gulf of Tonkin on the USS Oriskany aircraft carrier in 1966 and 1967. Before Kelly was deployed, he served at Pearl Harbor and the Marine Gunnery Range. The Marines called him “Doc.” He lived and trained with the Marines and as you can imagine, he was in superb physical condition. An important factor on the first combat tour in October 1966 aboard the Oriskany, Kelly got up early and went to work in the pharmacy at 6 a.m. (His duty hour began at 8 a.m.) That morning at 7:50 a.m. magnesium flares were mishandled and exploded aboard the ship. Forty-four sailors, mostly medics were killed in their quarters, including the ship’s medical doctor. The Lord spared Kelly because he had gone to work in another location on the ship. On the 24th of October 1967, a Letter of Commendation was presented to Kelly by the Commanding Officer of the USS Oriskany.

After leaving the Navy, Kelly earned his undergraduate degree in English and completed a 30-year career with the Veterans Administration as a Pharmacy Technician. Following his retirement, he moved to Sequim, WA to care for his parents until their deaths in 2000.

Kelly was a devout born again Christian and a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Sequim.

His Favorite Old Testament scripture was Psalms 34:4. “I sought the Lord and He delivered me from all my fears.”

Sherwood Manor is one of the most professional and caring assisted living homes anywhere. The residents are enthused over the many activities planned for them daily and they enjoyed the highest quality food service. The family thanks the many nurses and staff for their loving care and support to Kelly, who was very blessed to be at Sherwood. They especially thank Nancy Talbot, former chief nurse at this establishment, and Sherry Barnhart for their dedicated service which went above and beyond their call to duty.

Kelly was truly a friend to all who knew him.

A Memorial Service will take place Sunday, October 17, 2021 at 2:00 PM at the Sequim Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He will be inurned at Sequim View Cemetery at a later date.

Sequim Valley Funeral chapel is honored to serve the family. (360) 683-5242. Please visit our online register book at sequimvalleychapel.com to leave treasured memories for the family.

Alissa Marion Lofstrom

April 3, 2002 – September 29, 2021

Alissa Marion Lofstrom, (Lissy) was born April 3rd, 2002 and raised in Sequim WA. She was 19.

Alissa was a child of nature. Her happiest times were out in the wild, in the water, on the sea, amidst the plants and in the trees. Alissa embarked on a sojourn that encompassed visiting Stanley Idaho, Zion National Park, Utah, sections of the Grand Canyon, Sedona and on to Tucson, Arizona. There she experienced Cochise’s Stronghold, the Chiricahua National Park and finally Saguaro National Park. It was here that Alissa hiked into the back country and explored to her heart’s desire. She spent contented warm starry nights alone, made friends with the Park Rangers, drew and played her ukulele. The last sighting of Alissa was her waving goodbye to the passing trail crew. Upon their return a few days later, Alissa was found at the bottom of a beautiful waterfall. She had lost her footing on the slippery rocks, fell, and died instantly. Our hearts are broken, she has left a hole that only her light could fill.

Missing her is her father Kenneth John, her mother Mary Elizabeth, her sister Kayley Elizabeth and twin sister, Eva Arletta. Alissa is survived by her grandmother Arletta Carol Lofstrom, Chicago IL, Aunts Debra (Dan) Watkins, McDonough GA, Karen Traxler, Santa Barbara CA, Linda Lofstrom, Evanston Il, Susan (Randy) Marzolf, Kenosha WI, Jane Dobson Kelowna BC, Anne (Mike) St Clair, Kelowna, BC, and Trish Dobson, of Gibsons, BC.

Alissa spent her first school years at Five Acre School where her love for nature, music and art were nurtured and where teacher relationships taught her openness and honesty towards adults. Sequim High School found her giving 4 years as an ASB Officer, was a founding member of “No Planet B”, participated for 4 years as a member of Interact Club, she was a Habitat for Humanity Intern, a Sequim City Arts Liaison, was in the Honors Society for 4 years, played Varsity Volleyball, was a Knowledge Bowl Team Member, a STEM Club member, Dungeness River Audubon Center Student Board Member and provided 400 hours of community service.

With numerous scholarships under her belt, Alissa made her way to the University of Hawaii, Manoa Marine Biology Program. Alissa’s college experience was spent inside, taking remote classes. Unable to explore the ocean, Alissa decided to return to Sequim where she worked happily with plants at Sunny Farms Nursery. She moved into a house with roommates, saved her money, bought a Subaru and headed to the Southwest for her lifetime adventure.

Alissa shared with one of her best friends that she envisioned a service with colorful-only attire, good food, music, stories and art making. Her Celebration of Life will be held on Oct 16th, at 687 Woodcock Road., Sequim. The ceremony will start at 2pm, the gate opens at 1:00pm. A celebratory feast will be provided, with opportunity to share memories and stories and create art in her honor of her spirit. Masks are required inside the tent. Further, the Alissa Lofstrom Scholarship will be created in her name.

Ernest Karger

October 16, 1934 – August 14, 2021

Ernest “Ernie” Walter Karger of Sequim, Washington passed peacefully on the morning of August 14, 2021 with his family by his side. He was 86.

Ernie was born in Kane, Pennsylvania to Ernest and Marion (Daggs) Karger. He attended Tufts University on a ROTC scholarship, and graduated with an Engineering degree. He was in the Navy reserve for 20 years and retired as a Lt. Commander.

After being wowed by the Irish accent, beauty, intelligence and wit he married Aideen Hardiman on July 21, 1962. They welcomed five children within 6 years. His biggest concern in life was making sure his family was taken care of, which he excelled at.

It began with sharing his love of hiking in the Rocky Mountains. He would fill his the orange VW microbus with his family, his 5 kids (and 5 of their friends), his wife, the family dog and head off on a backpacking adventure to explore the breathtaking Rocky Mountains. He climbed over 20 of Colorado’s Fourteeners long before it was trendy to do so. He loved to take a 20 minute nap on the summit.

Ernie was an innovator. He got into the field of Environmental Engineering and Air Pollution Control early on – leading the department for the Gates Rubber Company for over 30 years. While a mechanical engineer by degree, he was an artist at heart. He loved to doodle with the kids and grandkids as well as churning out detailed drawings and architectural plans well into his 80s.

Ernie was active in every church he ever attended. After he retired he dedicated his time to the church stepping in as building maintenance, management and planning for whichever church he belonged. He was a quiet servant leader throughout his life. A title lovingly bestowed upon him was The Quiet Disciple.

If you had a project you needed help with, Ernie was your man. He could fix almost anything. He was dependable and always willing to assist in any task. He would tell the corniest jokes and do math in his head. He was dedicated to caring for his best friend and love Aideen and was her advocate, caretaker and champion. He spent the last 10 years of his life tending to his wife through a variety of illnesses including Lupus, a stroke and then providing full time care for her journey into dementia.

He is survived by his wife, Aideen Karger of Sequim, 5 children, 8 grandchildren, his brother Robert Karger, and his sister Nancy (Karger) Van den Esschert

Donations in his memory can be made to your local Habitat for Humanity.

There is a Virtual Memorial on October 16, 2021 via zoom. For details, visit https://everloved.com/life-of/ernest-karger.