Obituaries — Dec. 13, 2023

Carol Elizabeth Swenson

March 21, 1942 – October 29, 2023

Carol Elizabeth Rasmussen was born in Denver, CO to Betty and Hillerup Rasmussen. She was the second sibling in a family of 6 children. Carol graduated from Emanuel Hospital School of Nursing in Portland, Oregon and moved to Minneapolis, MN to work as a nurse. She met her husband, Rudolph Swenson in Minneapolis. They were married for 56 years. Mrs. Swenson is survived by her husband Rudy, two of their three daughters, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren. A daughter, Christina, preceded her in death in 1990. Carol was buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Littleton, CO. A celebration of her life is planned at Dungeness Community Church in Sequim, WA at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 13, 2004. Donations can be sent to Clallam County Volunteer Hospice in Port Angeles, WA in Carol Swenson’s memory.

Loretta King

Loretta King, age 90, passed away peacefully in her home in Sequim, Washington, on November 22, 2023 after electing to pursue Death with Dignity following a diagnosis of late-stage cancer.

Loretta graduated from Quakertown High School as valedictorian, and later earned her Bachelor of Music from the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music and her Master of Music from the University of Michigan.

Loretta was an accomplished pianist and church organist for 70 years, gracing congregations of denominations that included Methodist, Episcopal, Baptist, Christian Science, and Catholic with her music throughout her career. At different periods, she also taught piano at the New School of Music in Philadelphia, the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, and the Arvada Center for the Arts in Colorado, and served as pianist for the Colorado Ballet, the David Taylor Dance Company, and the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company. In addition, Loretta loved bringing the magic of music to children and taught children’s music classes in both Arvada and Breckenridge, Colorado.

In 1980, she married Alexander “Bill” King and they enjoyed traveling together, including memorable trips to England, Morocco, Germany, Norway, Hawaii, and New Zealand. In 2005, Loretta and Bill moved to Sequim, Washington.

Throughout her life, Loretta was known for her love of music, nature, reading, hiking, skiing, and learning. She was particularly fond of dogs, caring for her own and those of many others in her lifetime.

She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and a devoted friend to so many. Loretta is survived by her son Max Fenstermacher and his wife Nancy Swanberg; her son Dan Fenstermacher and his partner Tawann Jackson; her granddaughter Susanna Fenstermacher and Susanna’s partner Benjamin Ellis; and her granddaughter Aidan Fenstermacher. Loretta is also survived by her late husband’s children, Paul King and his wife Eileen; Diane King; and David King.

Loretta asked that any donations in her honor be made to Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, End of Life Washington, or Seattle Children’s Hospital.

We will always carry her memory with us in our hearts.

James ‘Jim’ A. Drennan

James ‘Jim’ A. Drennan of Port Angeles, longtime owner of Drennan & Ford Funeral Home, died on Dec, 7, 2023.

He was 88.

Drennan was born March 22, 1935.

A visitation is scheduled for noon-4 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, at Drennan & Ford Funeral Home, 260 Monroe Road. A funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 14, also at Drennan & Ford Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service at Ocean View Cemetery.

A complete obituary will be published in the Peninsula Daily News.

Sign an online guestbook for the family at drennanford.com.

Elizabeth J. Phelps-Fairchild

Elizabeth J. Phelps-Fairchild of Sequim died of dementia-related causes at Sherwood Assisted Living on Nov, 30, 2023.

She was 84.

Phelps-Fairchild was born Oct. 19, 1939.

A full obituary will run at a later date.

Sign an online guestbook for the family at drennanford.com.

Christel Pucz

Christel Pucz of Sequim died at Dungeness Courte Memory Care on Dec. 3, 2023.

She was 93.

Pucz was born Dec. 21, 1929.