WILBERT ‘POLLY’ PALMER, 86, a lifelong resident of the Sedro-Woolley area passed away on Monday September 15, 2003 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley.
Polly was born on September 17, 1916 in Ballard, WA, the son of Burton and Petra Tomern Palmer. As an infant, his family moved to Skagit County, settling at Skyou, just east of Sedro-Woolley and there he was raised and attended grade school. He later attended Sedro-Woolley High School.
On December 24, 1936 he was united in marriage to Alice Herrle in Seattle and they made their home in the Sedro-Woolley area for nearly 65 years, until her death in 2001.
Polly worked in the timber industry for a number of years; he later worked as a ward attendant at Northern State Hospital for 17 years and also during that time he operated a small mink farm at his home. He was a bar tender and also worked as a heat treat man and a foundry man at Skagit Steel for several years.
His real enjoyment was entertaining children. For many years he was Santa Claus for the Sedro-Woolley Christmas activities and during the Fourth of July thrilled kids as ‘P.P. the Clown’. He spent several years fundraising and collecting toys for the kids at Children’s Hospital and was one of the organizers of the Wildcat Steelhead Club kids fishing derby at the Northern State fishing pond. When time allowed he enjoyed fishing on the Skagit River and on lakes in Canada. For his many years of volunteer service Polly was awarded the Wildlife Conservation Award in 1982 and the State of Washington Distinguished Volunteer Award in 1991.
On August 2, 2002 he married Louise Orr and for the past year they have made resided together at the Life Care Center in Sedro-Woolley.
He is survived by his wife Louise. His son and daughter-in-law, Cliff & Sue Palmer of Sedro-Woolley. 5 grandchildren, Chris Palmer, Cindy Gerrier Don, Penny Miller, Jamie Ferguson and Ben Nungusser, and numerous great-grandchildren. 1 sister & brother-in-law, Mary & Bob Dean of Sedro-Woolley. 1 niece, Delores Dean Ron and 1 nephew, Mike Dean Ashley. 1 sister-in-law, Elsie Palmer of Lyman. 3 step-children, Helen Mossington Charlie, Edward Mattiesen Wanda and Marvin Mattiesen Sharon. 2 sisters-in-law, Ada Pearson & Marie Kunferman. 3 brothers-in-law, Lyde & Lloyd Herrle and Larry Herrle and wife Helen. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Alice, son Richard and 3 brothers, Leif & Gus Beckman and Maynard Palmer.
The family suggests memorials be made to the Wildcat Steelhead Club, Skagit Hospice, the Sedro-Woolley Volunteer Fire Dept. or the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley.
Funeral services for Polly will be held Monday September 22, 2003 at 2:00 PM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley. Interment will follow at Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery. Share thoughts of Polly and sign the online guest register at www.lemleychapel.com