Leatice June Hanks, 85, a resident of Camano Island, passed away at her home on Tuesday, November 1, 2011.

She was born on January 25, 1926 in Clarkston, Washington, the eldest of two daughters of Opal & Fern (Greene) Yates. She attended grade school in Clarkston, WA and NezPerce, Idaho. Lea was raised on a farm in NezPerce until her family moved to the Bellevue, WA area in 1941 and she graduated from Overlake High School with the class of 1944.

Lea was united in marriage to Ezra Hanks on April 5, 1947 in Seattle and they made their home in the Boulevard Park area of south Seattle. She worked as a secretary for Boeing for about nine years.

In 1978 Lea and Ezra moved to Camano Island where they built their retirement home overlooking Whidbey Island and Saratoga Passage.

Lea enjoyed reading, crocheting, knitting, sewing, family vacations and looking out at the water and sunsets from her living room window.

She is survived by her children, Calvin Hanks of Clallam Bay, WA, Candace Gray and husband Fred of Kennewick, WA and Karen Smith and husband Jack of Concrete. Her sister, Arlene Braun of Spokane. Six grandchildren, Christopher, Brian (Marie) & Garrett Kemnow, Tim Smith, Wyatt (Annette) Hanks and Cali Waller. Seven great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and her childhood friend, Eleanor Lampoltshamer of Clarkston, WA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ezra in 1998 and a grandson, Marshall Kemnow in 2003.

The family requests that memorials be made to either the Alzheimer’s or Diabetes Association or Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Graveside Services will be held on Monday, November 7, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Pastor Jim Stevens officiating. Visitation is available from 9am to 5pm Thursday thru Saturday and from 9am to 1pm on Monday.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.