ROWENA BARKER
Rowena Bertha Hulda Meyer Barker, 85, of Enumclaw died April 25, 2009, at Canterbury House in Auburn, following an extended illness.
She was born May 26, 1923, in Merrill, Wis., to William J. Meyer and Esther Caroline Fredericka Steinbeck Meyer. Her family soon moved to Washington, settling in Hoquiam, where her father was a millworker and foreman. She graduated from Hoquiam High School in 1941 and attended business school, working at various secretarial positions through the years. She met and married Merline R. Barker of Enumclaw in 1952. His work for the Federal Aviation Administration took them to Hawaii, Calif. and Walla Walla, Wash. They retired to Enumclaw, building their home in 1980. Their travels included trips to Europe, Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii.
She attended Calvary Presbyterian Church of Enumclaw. She was a skilled seamstress and tole painter, enriching the homes of family and friends with quilts, needlepoint, knitting, crocheting and painted pieces. She also played the piano and accompanied in a variety of settings.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years of the home; children Michele Crislip and husband Jim of Longview, Wash., and Carlos Barker and wife Teri of Walla Walla; and two grandchildren.
Services took place Saturday, May 2, at Calvary Presbyterian Church with Dr. James R. Crislip, her son-in-law, officiating. Burial took place at Evergreen Memorial Park in Enumclaw.
Arrangements by Weeks’ Enumclaw Funeral Home.
All are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.weeksfuneralhomes.com.
RANKO PETKOVITS
Ranko Carroll Petkovits, 70, died in his sleep April 23, 2009.
He was born July 27, 1938, in Seattle, but lived most of his life in Enumclaw. He was a skilled machinist, working many years for Boeing and also was self-employed. He loved motocross racing and was the first in his class throughout his racing career. He loved the outdoors, especially fishing, hunting, trail riding and gardening; he also practiced tai chi.
He is survived by longtime companion Dolores; daughter Stephanie Helmholz; sons Travis, Austin, Loren and Lance; five grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
FREDERICK PITT
Former Enumclaw resident Frederick J. Pitt, 72, died April 21, 2009, in Bozeman, Mont.
He was born May 23, 1936, in Seattle to Edward Dawson and Bessie (Capern) Hiscock. He was raised and educated in Seattle. He married Patricia Carroll on July 21, 1955, in Seattle and he worked most of his life for The Boeing Co. as a supervisor of materials, retiring in 1994. He married Mary Ellen Skerritt on June 20, 1992, and they lived in Enumclaw until 1999, when they moved to Bozeman. He was active in 4-H and was a member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, Montana Institute of the Arts, Parkinson’s Support Group and the Bozeman Senior Center. He was an artist, working with watercolors and pottery, and enjoyed golf and archery.
Survivors include his wife Mary Ellen of Bozeman; daughters Shelley Petersen and husband Terry of Buckley, Cynthia Riege and husband Terry of Kent, Wash., and Carolyn Van Valkenberg and husband Archie of Bonney Lake; son Brian Pitt of Auburn; stepdaughters Jacqueline Skerritt and Jeanette Risteau and husband John, both of Bozeman; brothers Peter Pitt and wife Mariela of Kingswood, Texas, Bill Pitt and wife Patsey of Renton, Wash., and Tony Pitt and wife Patty of Bullhead, Ariz.; mother-in-law Esther Ferguson of Bozeman; five grandchildren and four great-grandchldren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife Patricia and brother Jimmy.
A vigil service took place Monday, April 27, at Dahl Funeral Chapel. A funeral mass took place April 28 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.dahlcares.com.
