EUGENE IHLENFELDT

Eugene Terrence Ihlenfeldt of Enumclaw died Oct. 29, 2018. He was 88.

Known to his family as Gene and to colleagues and friends as Gino, he was born Jan. 16, 1930, in Seattle to the late Albert and Alice (Boland) Ihlenfeldt. He grew up on a small farm in Juanita, Washington, with his six siblings. After high school he worked in an apple orchard in Lake Chelan before being drafted into the U.S. Army where he fought in the Korean War.

After being honorably discharged he enrolled at Seattle University and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He married Lillian Ingham in 1959 and they had five children. In 1977 the family moved from Juanita to Enumclaw where they built a home on 10 acres with a stream that became the place for most family gatherings.

He had a prestigious career at The Boeing Company in Kent where he was involved in many challenging projects including the Lunar Rover, Minuteman Missile program, the Infrared Laser System and the International Space Station. He retired from Boeing in 1992 with 35 years of service.

He enjoyed hunting in Alberta and Wyoming, hiking in the Cascade Mountains, fishing in Alaska and precision shooting at local ranges.

He is survived by daughters Jana Huddleston (Mike) of Woodinville, Ruth of Renton, and Kathryne and Tammi, both of Enumclaw; son Steven (Joan) of Mercer Island; brother Donald; and 10 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife; brothers James, Albert and Norman; and sisters Kathryne Scott and Ruth Sayers.

There will be a memorial at 2 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Neuwaukum Grange in Auburn.

All may sign the online guest book at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.