Esther F. Van De Grift, age 103, a longtime resident of Sedro-Woolley, passed away on Sunday, May 8, 2016.
She was born at home in Ellensburg, Washington, the fourth child of Robert and Buena Gage. She was proud to have been one of a family of 14, seven boys and seven girls.
Esther married Wesley L. Van De Grift in 1932 in Ellensburg. About 1935, they moved to Western Washington, living in Renton in 1937 when their son, Bob was born. They moved many times, wherever there was work: Hoquiam, Aberdeen, Ocean City, Morton, Glenoma, Chehalis and Centralia, some, several different times. They moved to Oregon in 1940, working in Bay City, Garibaldi, and Tillamook, back to Aberdeen in 1942, where Mary was born. They moved to Lyman in 1948 and moved for the final time to Sedro-Woolley in 1953.
During WWII, she worked at the Simpson Lumber Company saw mill pulling lumber off the green chain. The next job, due to her slight build, 5’ 2” and 98 pounds, was crawling inside airplane wings and bucking rivets, for Boeing, a “Rosie the Riveter.” She was the highest production nailer on grain doors for rail cars, worked at J. C. Penney, working at National Canning Company, retiring from Stokely Van Kamp Cannery, in Mount Vernon in 1976. Afterward, she worked part time for the Nagatani Brothers.
Esther is survived by her son, Robert (Esther) Van De Grift of Oregon; daughter, Mary Van De Grift of Sedro-Woolley; grandchildren, Karen (Phil Ramon) Van De Grift and Paul (Doreen) Van De Grift; great grandchildren, Paul Van De Grift, Jr. and Suzanne Van De Grift; brothers, Fred Gage and Seth (Enid) Gage; sister, Ellen Crawford; numerous nieces and nephews.
Esther was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Wesley; sisters, Tressa, Ethel, Peggy, Betty and Marion; brothers, Harrell, Clifford, George, Robert and John.
A Graveside service will be held at 11:00, Friday, May 20, 2016 at the IOOF Cemetery, in Ellensburg, with Gary Ash officiating. A time of visitation will be available Wednesday and Thursday May 18, 19 from 9:00 to 5:00 at Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.