PHYLLIS STAFFANSON

Phyllis Staffanson, a longtime resident of Skagit Valley, died on Thursday, September 4.

She had resided on Pleasant Ridge with her husband Ken for 58 years and devoted her life to raising and caring for her family and spending time with relatives, friends and neighbors. Phyllis was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, and she will be dearly missed.

Phyllis was born in 1935 in Atwood, Kansas to Lucille and Glenn Jones. The family moved to Toppenish, Washington in 1939 and settled in Skagit County in 1942. She graduated from Mount Vernon High School in 1953 and then attended “Beauty School” in Mount Vernon. Phyllis and Ken eloped in 1956.

Phyllis loved to garden and spent many happy afternoons out “puttering” in her flower beds. She also enjoyed sewing and tried her hand at many different crafts and creative projects.

She was also a wonderful cook and hostess and made everyone who came to visit feel welcomed and special. The coffee pot was always ready, and a plate full of goodies wasn’t far behind. She enjoyed visiting with family and friends and especially going out for lunch and tea with the special people in her life.

Phyllis was known for her hearty lunches and delicious cinnamon rolls by many workers on the farm. She also spent many evenings going out for dinner and dancing with Ken. When their children were older, she and her husband traveled to Japan, Sweden, Tahiti, Asia and the Caribbean.

Phyllis is survived by her husband Ken and their three children, daughter Christy Staffanson; son and daughter-in-law Craig and Jocelyn Staffanson; and daughter Karen Staffanson and her grandson Terry Surratt. She leaves behind her brother and sister-in-law Gary and Marilyn Jones of Mount Vernon, her sister-in-law Ellen Chain of Redding, California and many nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her parents, Lucille and Glenn Jones, sisters-in-law, Joann Staffanson and Beatrice Peterson and brothers-in-law, Johnny Staffanson, Ernst Peterson and Charles Chain.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, September 27, at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, followed by a recep-tion at the family home. Everyone is welcome! Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral home of Mount Vernon.