T. ASMUNDSON OBITUARY
T. B. "Tut" Asmundson died Wednesday, March 11th, at the age of 102. Tut was born to Bjorn and Lukka Asmundson in Upham, North Dakota on October 19th, 1906, in a farmhouse with neither electricity nor indoor plumbing. The third child in a family of 10, he and his siblings witnessed incredible change during their lives.
Born to an Icelandic family in an Icelandic community, Tut learned to read and speak English when he began attending public school. Despite his family's relative poverty, through his hard work and determination he graduated from the University of North Dakota Law School in the midst of the Great Depression.
After practicing law in North Dakota for about one year, Tut ultimately moved to Washington at the urging of his close friend Johnny Westford. In Bellingham he met Esther, who was best friends with Veronica Rocke (Johnny's future wife). Tut and Esther were married in 1938.
Because of the Depression, getting established in Washington was a challenge. After working a variety of jobs, Tut opened his law practice in Bellingham in 1944 and continued his practice until 1993, retiring at the age of 87.
Tut's life was much more than work. He was the father of four children and an extremely active community member. He was a seemingly tireless volunteer, whether through Bellingham Central Lions Club or at his church, Faith Lutheran. He also served as a Justice of the Peace, as an elected Commissioner of the Port of Bellingham for 35 years, and was a co-founder and longtime board member of Staffholt Icelandic Old Folks Home in Blaine. The extent of his community efforts is too great to list.
Tut also was an avid golfer and enjoyed the game nearly to the end, golfing on his 101st birthday with his son Steve. Regardless of the weather, Tut always said "it never rains on the golf course."
He was an extremely likable man, his kindness and generosity inspired many. He was the kind of lawyer that people actually appreciated. He walked the sidewalks of Bellingham with a smile on his face, most often whistling a tune. A happy and optimistic man, even outliving most of his friends could not weigh his spirits down. Tut was intensely loyal and dutiful. Whether as parent or friend, Tut could always be counted upon. Always. A remarkable man, those who were fortunate enough to know him invariably loved him. He will be missed every day.
He was preceded in death by Esther, his wife of 53 years, and seven of his siblings. He is survived by his children, Judy Hanson, Barbara Schmidl, Mark Asmundson (wife Tatiana) and Steve Asmundson; sister Ann Dopp, brother Swain Asmundson, long time close friend Marilyn Walker and loads of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Bellingham Central Lions Club or Whatcom Hospice. Visitation will be held at Westford on Sunday, March 15th from 4-6 PM. Memorial Service will be held at Faith Lutheran on Mon. March 16th at 2 PM followed by a reception at the church. You may view photos of Tut and share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com Westford Family Funeral Home & Cremation Broadway at Eldridge
Published by Bellingham Herald from Mar. 12 to Mar. 15, 2009.
T. B. "Tut" Asmundson died Wednesday, March 11th, at the age of 102. Tut was born to Bjorn and Lukka Asmundson in Upham, North Dakota on October 19th, 1906, in a farmhouse with neither electricity nor indoor plumbing. The third child in a family of 10, he and his siblings witnessed incredible change during their lives.
Born to an Icelandic family in an Icelandic community, Tut learned to read and speak English when he began attending public school. Despite his family's relative poverty, through his hard work and determination he graduated from the University of North Dakota Law School in the midst of the Great Depression.
After practicing law in North Dakota for about one year, Tut ultimately moved to Washington at the urging of his close friend Johnny Westford. In Bellingham he met Esther, who was best friends with Veronica Rocke (Johnny's future wife). Tut and Esther were married in 1938.
Because of the Depression, getting established in Washington was a challenge. After working a variety of jobs, Tut opened his law practice in Bellingham in 1944 and continued his practice until 1993, retiring at the age of 87.
Tut's life was much more than work. He was the father of four children and an extremely active community member. He was a seemingly tireless volunteer, whether through Bellingham Central Lions Club or at his church, Faith Lutheran. He also served as a Justice of the Peace, as an elected Commissioner of the Port of Bellingham for 35 years, and was a co-founder and longtime board member of Staffholt Icelandic Old Folks Home in Blaine. The extent of his community efforts is too great to list.
Tut also was an avid golfer and enjoyed the game nearly to the end, golfing on his 101st birthday with his son Steve. Regardless of the weather, Tut always said "it never rains on the golf course."
He was an extremely likable man, his kindness and generosity inspired many. He was the kind of lawyer that people actually appreciated. He walked the sidewalks of Bellingham with a smile on his face, most often whistling a tune. A happy and optimistic man, even outliving most of his friends could not weigh his spirits down. Tut was intensely loyal and dutiful. Whether as parent or friend, Tut could always be counted upon. Always. A remarkable man, those who were fortunate enough to know him invariably loved him. He will be missed every day.
He was preceded in death by Esther, his wife of 53 years, and seven of his siblings. He is survived by his children, Judy Hanson, Barbara Schmidl, Mark Asmundson (wife Tatiana) and Steve Asmundson; sister Ann Dopp, brother Swain Asmundson, long time close friend Marilyn Walker and loads of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Bellingham Central Lions Club or Whatcom Hospice. Visitation will be held at Westford on Sunday, March 15th from 4-6 PM. Memorial Service will be held at Faith Lutheran on Mon. March 16th at 2 PM followed by a reception at the church. You may view photos of Tut and share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com Westford Family Funeral Home & Cremation Broadway at Eldridge
Published by Bellingham Herald from Mar. 12 to Mar. 15, 2009.
T. ASMUNDSON OBITUARY
T. B. "Tut" Asmundson died Wednesday, March 11th, at the age of 102. Tut was born to Bjorn and Lukka Asmundson in Upham, North Dakota on October 19th, 1906, in a farmhouse with neither electricity nor indoor plumbing. The third child in a family of 10, he and his siblings witnessed incredible change during their lives.
Born to an Icelandic family in an Icelandic community, Tut learned to read and speak English when he began attending public school. Despite his family's relative poverty, through his hard work and determination he graduated from the University of North Dakota Law School in the midst of the Great Depression.
After practicing law in North Dakota for about one year, Tut ultimately moved to Washington at the urging of his close friend Johnny Westford. In Bellingham he met Esther, who was best friends with Veronica Rocke (Johnny's future wife). Tut and Esther were married in 1938.
Because of the Depression, getting established in Washington was a challenge. After working a variety of jobs, Tut opened his law practice in Bellingham in 1944 and continued his practice until 1993, retiring at the age of 87.
Tut's life was much more than work. He was the father of four children and an extremely active community member. He was a seemingly tireless volunteer, whether through Bellingham Central Lions Club or at his church, Faith Lutheran. He also served as a Justice of the Peace, as an elected Commissioner of the Port of Bellingham for 35 years, and was a co-founder and longtime board member of Staffholt Icelandic Old Folks Home in Blaine. The extent of his community efforts is too great to list.
Tut also was an avid golfer and enjoyed the game nearly to the end, golfing on his 101st birthday with his son Steve. Regardless of the weather, Tut always said "it never rains on the golf course."
He was an extremely likable man, his kindness and generosity inspired many. He was the kind of lawyer that people actually appreciated. He walked the sidewalks of Bellingham with a smile on his face, most often whistling a tune. A happy and optimistic man, even outliving most of his friends could not weigh his spirits down. Tut was intensely loyal and dutiful. Whether as parent or friend, Tut could always be counted upon. Always. A remarkable man, those who were fortunate enough to know him invariably loved him. He will be missed every day.
He was preceded in death by Esther, his wife of 53 years, and seven of his siblings. He is survived by his children, Judy Hanson, Barbara Schmidl, Mark Asmundson (wife Tatiana) and Steve Asmundson; sister Ann Dopp, brother Swain Asmundson, long time close friend Marilyn Walker and loads of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Bellingham Central Lions Club or Whatcom Hospice. Visitation will be held at Westford on Sunday, March 15th from 4-6 PM. Memorial Service will be held at Faith Lutheran on Mon. March 16th at 2 PM followed by a reception at the church. You may view photos of Tut and share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com Westford Family Funeral Home & Cremation Broadway at Eldridge
Published by Bellingham Herald from Mar. 12 to Mar. 15, 2009.
T. B. "Tut" Asmundson died Wednesday, March 11th, at the age of 102. Tut was born to Bjorn and Lukka Asmundson in Upham, North Dakota on October 19th, 1906, in a farmhouse with neither electricity nor indoor plumbing. The third child in a family of 10, he and his siblings witnessed incredible change during their lives.
Born to an Icelandic family in an Icelandic community, Tut learned to read and speak English when he began attending public school. Despite his family's relative poverty, through his hard work and determination he graduated from the University of North Dakota Law School in the midst of the Great Depression.
After practicing law in North Dakota for about one year, Tut ultimately moved to Washington at the urging of his close friend Johnny Westford. In Bellingham he met Esther, who was best friends with Veronica Rocke (Johnny's future wife). Tut and Esther were married in 1938.
Because of the Depression, getting established in Washington was a challenge. After working a variety of jobs, Tut opened his law practice in Bellingham in 1944 and continued his practice until 1993, retiring at the age of 87.
Tut's life was much more than work. He was the father of four children and an extremely active community member. He was a seemingly tireless volunteer, whether through Bellingham Central Lions Club or at his church, Faith Lutheran. He also served as a Justice of the Peace, as an elected Commissioner of the Port of Bellingham for 35 years, and was a co-founder and longtime board member of Staffholt Icelandic Old Folks Home in Blaine. The extent of his community efforts is too great to list.
Tut also was an avid golfer and enjoyed the game nearly to the end, golfing on his 101st birthday with his son Steve. Regardless of the weather, Tut always said "it never rains on the golf course."
He was an extremely likable man, his kindness and generosity inspired many. He was the kind of lawyer that people actually appreciated. He walked the sidewalks of Bellingham with a smile on his face, most often whistling a tune. A happy and optimistic man, even outliving most of his friends could not weigh his spirits down. Tut was intensely loyal and dutiful. Whether as parent or friend, Tut could always be counted upon. Always. A remarkable man, those who were fortunate enough to know him invariably loved him. He will be missed every day.
He was preceded in death by Esther, his wife of 53 years, and seven of his siblings. He is survived by his children, Judy Hanson, Barbara Schmidl, Mark Asmundson (wife Tatiana) and Steve Asmundson; sister Ann Dopp, brother Swain Asmundson, long time close friend Marilyn Walker and loads of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Bellingham Central Lions Club or Whatcom Hospice. Visitation will be held at Westford on Sunday, March 15th from 4-6 PM. Memorial Service will be held at Faith Lutheran on Mon. March 16th at 2 PM followed by a reception at the church. You may view photos of Tut and share memories with the family at www.westfordfuneralhome.com Westford Family Funeral Home & Cremation Broadway at Eldridge
Published by Bellingham Herald from Mar. 12 to Mar. 15, 2009.
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