Darlene Joyce Johnson
October 15, 2008
Darlene Joyce Johnson, of Issaquah, died Oct. 5 at Overlake Medical Center in Bellevue after courageously fighting complications from an infection. She was 83.
Wallace “Wally” Wesley Markstone
September 23, 2008
Wallace Wesley Markstone, of Sammamish, died Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 at home. He was 75.
At his request, a private memorial will be held for family and friends.
Wallace “Wally” Wesley Markstone
Born May 10, 1933 in Tacoma, Wallace was the first son of Harry and Lillian Markstone. He was raised in Tacoma, where he attended local schools. In 1951, Wally entered the United States Navy and served in the Korean War. Following his military tenure, he furthered his education by earning his Associates of Arts degree in law enforcement.
In his civilian life, Wally worked for the telephone company before serving as a police officer in Santa Maria, Calif. After 21 years as an officer of the peace, he moved back to Washington, where he continued his career in law enforcement as a correctional officer. He retired in 1995.
In his leisure time, he enjoyed playing cards, RV travel with his wife Jerri, telling stories by the bonfire, cruise trips, and spending time with his large family and his friends.
His family will remember him as a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather who possessed a wonderful ability to make friends wherever he went. He was a man who loved to talk to all people; no one was a stranger. He will be deeply missed, as he was kind and helpful to everyone.
In addition to his loving wife Jerri, survivors include his children, Dennis, David, Deanne, Dena, Brandi, Nancy, Steve, Peggy, Brett, Lori and Marilee; his sister Mary; 58 grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and a host of extended family members and friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Issaquah Food Bank.
Arrangements are entrusted to Flintoft’s Funeral Home and Crematory. Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com.
Obituary
August 27, 2008
Diana Fay Guo
Sammamish resident Diana Fay Guo died Aug. 6 at the age of 14. She was a student at Inglewood Junior High School, where she played cello and varsity tennis. Diana is survived by parents Di and Fuxiu Guo and two younger siblings
She was known to make all those around her smile.
Friends and family held a memorial walk to Eastlake High School, where they celebrated her life with speeches, prayers and by writing messages in chalk on the school’s tennis courts.
Diana was born Aug. 16, 1993.
Obituaries
July 23, 2008
Donald Courtnay
Donald Courtnay, of Sammamish, died at his home on Monday, July 14, 2008. He was 84.
Donald was born in Chicago, on Feb. 22, 1924. He served in the United States Navy during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946. Don was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Rotary Clubs of America. He was also a Major in the Washington State Guard and a 32nd Degree Mason.
Best known for his career in television and radio, Don began his radio career in Salt Lake City in the 1940’s and became general manager of Channel 13.
In Seattle during the 1950’s he worked for KIRO and KJR. Many Seattleites will remember him as the “Voice of Safeway Stores” for 19 years.
In the early 1950’s Don met his future wife, Gay (G.G.), while the two were working together. In 1973, Don moved to California and came back into her life. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married in May 1974. During his California years, Don opened cable television stations in San Leandro and Hayward.
Upon their return to the Seattle area, he went into the heating business, working for Evans Products Co., Gibson Co. and Familian.
Don continued to freelance even after retirement, designing several large boiler installations in Alaska.
Don was always a gentleman, who was caring, strong and had great zest for life and learning. He will be remembered with great love and respect by all those whose lives he touched.
Survivors include his loving wife of 34 years, Gay (G.G.) Courtnay, of Sammamish; sons James and Jason Grimmer, both of the Puget Sound area; stepdaughter Randi White of Los Angeles and stepson Evan (Carolyn) White of Pleasanton, Calif.
Arrangements are entrusted to Flintoft’s Funeral Home and Crematory.
Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s on-line guest book at www.flintofts.com.
Kaarina Kinnunen
Kaarina Kinnunen, of Sammamish, died July 7, 2008, at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland. She was 88.
Kaarina Kinnunen was born Nov. 14, 1919, in Finland. She attended school in Oulu, Finland. She lived through Finland’s Civil War as a child, then lived through World War II. She married Toivo Kinnunen in 1938 in Helsinki, Finland. Together, they had a daughter, Laila Kaarina Kinnunen.
In her adulthood, Kaarina traveled throughout the world. She saw much of Europe, the Middle East and the United States. In 2004 Kaarina settled in Sammamish, where she enjoyed being with her family, especially playing with her great-grandchildren. She also loved animals and gardening.
She is survived by her sisters Terttu Wallgren and Tuulikki Heinonen, both of Finland, her daughter Laila Faddah, of Sammamish, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Kaarina will be remembered as one tough little lady who overcame so many obstacles early in life to be a successful businesswoman.
She lived her life fully and the way she wanted to, all the way up to the very last day.
Obituary
July 15, 2008
Lynn Gorr
Lynn Gorr, of Sammamish, died July 5, 2008, in Red Lodge, Mont. He was 65.
A graveside committal service was July 12 at Lower Hillside Cemetery, Issaquah. A memorial celebration was the same day at the Elks Lake Sammamish Lodge No. 1843, Issaquah. 
Lynn was born Oct. 6, 1942, in Chadron, Neb., to Donald and Helen Gorr. He grew up on the family ranch northwest of Chadron, spending many happy boyhood days with his grandfather LeRoi, a true cowboy of the Old West. Lynn and his bride-to-be, Cindy, together graduated from Chadron High School class of 1960.
After attending Chadron State College for one year, Lynn went on to earn a degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1965, and later also became a licensed civil engineer.
Although he moved away from Nebraska, eventually to settle his family in the Pacific Northwest, in many ways, he never left.
Lynn entered the Navy’s Officer Candidate School in fall 1966. As a naval officer, he served with the Seabees in MCB-3, cementing a lifelong affection for the Seabees and his life’s work in construction. He was awarded the Navy Commen-dation Medal during his battalion’s deployment to Vietnam.
After six years of active duty in the Navy, Lynn moved the family to the Seattle area. While working for general contractors, such as Baugh Construction, Lynn led several major commercial projects. In recent years, he consulted on various projects and served as an expert witness in resolving legal disputes.
Lynn was patient and understanding, a loving husband, father and friend, who loved the outdoors, mountaineering, open-roof cars and blues guitar. He is survived by his wife, Cindy, their two daughters Stacy (Michael) and Carolyn (Jeremy) and one grandson. He is also survived by his father Don, his sister Karol and her husband Carl.
The family suggests remembrances to King County Search and Rescue or a charity of your choosing.
Arrangements are entrusted to Flintoft’s Issaquah Funeral Home.
Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com.
Obituary
July 2, 2008
Lauren A. Poor
Lauren A. Poor, precious daughter and sister, passed away peacefully June 21. 
She was born in Bellevue on Oct. 13, 1992, and grew up attending Samantha Smith Elementary School and Inglewood Junior High School, of Sammamish.
Her life has been filled with the love of her family, mother Cindy Cimoch, father Dean Poor, sister Leah Poor and brother Spencer Poor, as well as grandparents Norm and Maryann Cimoch, of Bermuda Dunes, Calif., uncles Bill Cimoch, of Hood River, Ore., and Chris Cimoch, of Crystal Mountain, Wash., and aunt Lori James of Mount Saint Helens, Ore.
Her family and all who have been blessed to have Lauren’s presence in their lives dearly love her.
Please visit Lauren’s online memorial to sign her guestbook or make a memorial donation at www.ASacredMoment.com.
Obituary
June 25, 2008
Donald Lynas Ossinger
Donald Lynas Ossinger, a longtime resident of Sammamish, died June 11 after a brief stay at Overlake Hospital. He was 70.
Don was born Sep. 11, 1937, to Carl and Florence (Spaulding) Ossinger in Boise, Idaho, and grew up in Burien. After graduating from Highline High School in Burien, Don received a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering from University of Washington while working at Boeing.
Joining the Air Force in 1961, he completed flight training in Enid, Okla., with Class 62F and kept in close touch with his fellow classmates. While in the Air Force, Don received a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Arizona State University and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Serving two tours in Vietnam, he retired after 22 years in the Air Force with more than 6,000 hours of flight time as a pilot.
During his career, he received the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Air Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with four service stars; Philippine Presidential Unit Citation; and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.
Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1983, Don returned to Washington and rejoined Boeing, retiring in 1997 as a commercial flight test analyst. He was also an active member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Don greatly enjoyed camping and fishing with family, gardening, sharing his vegetable crop with neighbors and his cooking prowess. In retirement, Don and Joyce took pleasure in sailing on many cruises throughout the world.
Don is survived by his wife of 51 years, Joyce (Lake) Ossinger; daughter Diane Ettinger and her husband Ken, of Concord, Calif.; son Richard Ossinger and his wife Ann (Ward), of Corvallis, Ore.; and two granddaughters.
The family is thankful for the excellent care he received from the doctors and nurses at Overlake Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Arrangements are by Flintoft’s Funeral Home and Crematory of Issaquah.
Obituary
June 10, 2008
Loa Jean Jordan 
Loa Jean Jordan, of Sammamish, died unexpectedly Sunday, June 1, 2008. She was 60.
A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 14, at Flintoft’s Funeral Home in Issaquah.
Following the service, there will be a gathering for family and friends at the home of the McLaughlins.
Loa was born Oct. 22, 1947, in Corvallis, Ore. She was raised in Oregon, and graduated from Sheldon High School, in Eugene, Ore. She also attended college in Oregon and Maryland.
She married Bobbie Jordan on Nov. 27, 1965. Being a military wife, she made many sacrifices due to her husband’s service to our country.
Loa enjoyed being a military wife, as it allowed her to travel to multiple places, including Okinawa, Germany, Italy, Spain, France, Austria and Switzerland, as well as many U.S. states.
Loa spent 20 years working in criminal justice, counseling and foster care.
Through the years, she and her family provided foster care for numerous young men and women.
In the past 10 years, Loa spent her time enjoying her grandchildren and having her family near her.
She was president of the Resident Council at Mercer Island Care and Rehabilitation, had a wonderful little dog named Sophie, and was always advocating for patient rights and care.
Loa will be remembered as a loving, loyal and dedicated mother, friend and grandmother.
Her life of advocating for children, especially those in foster care, will be remembered by many.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Judi and Paul McLaughlin, and son Steve Jordan, all of Sammamish; and two grandchildren.
Loa will be missed by her friend and ex-husband, Bobbie Jordan, of Alabama, dear friends and extended family.
The family suggests remembrances be made in Loa Jordan’s honor to the Treehouse Organization. Go to www.treehouseforkids.org or call 206-767-7000.
Friends and family are invited to share memories and sign the family’s online guest book at www.flintofts.com.
Obituary
June 4, 2008
Roger Kent Giesecke
Roger Kent Giesecke, age 55 of Sammamish, died Thursday, May 29, 2008, at University of Washington Medical Center, in Seattle.
Roger’s family and friends will deeply miss him.
Roger is survived by his wife Mary Pigott, and her children Amy Shamah (husband CB Shamah and son Lukas) and Paul Riggle.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents Dean and LaVona Giesecke of Wichita, Kan. and his brother Alan Giesecke also of Wichita, Kan.
Roger’s life was characterized by his robust curiosity; his lively intellect; his easygoing nature; his iconoclastic sense of humor; and his loyal and steadfast love.
Roger explored many great and passionate interests. He studied photojournalism at Wichita State University and later owned and operated Snappy Print in Bellevue.
After retiring from the printing business, Roger studied Urban Horticulture at Lake Washington Technical College and found delight working part time at Squak Mountain Nursery in Issaquah.
He was a devoted student of history, enjoyed scuba diving with the Lake Washington Braille Divers, proudly earned his small plane pilot’s license at ProFlight at Renton Field, liked gardening on a grand scale and puttering around with his tractor.
Roger was an active member of Alcoholics Anonymous and participated on the University of Washington’s Team Transplant.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests remembrances to the University of Washington Medical Center Liver Transplant Services or the Issaquah Historical Society.
A celebration of Roger’s life is being planned for July.
Friends are invited to share memories and sign the family’s on-line guest book at www.flintofts.com.
