Burlington - Berniece Marie Aarstad (Fisher) passed away peacefully Saturday, October 22, 2022, two weeks short of her 97th birthday. Berniece, the daughter of Arthur and Mae Fisher (Johnston) was born at 2:00 am during a blizzard on November 5, 1925, in Dalzell, South Dakota. Mom was the sixth of nine children, having five older brothers, two younger sisters and a younger brother. Her family caught and broke mustangs for the US Calvary, transported cattle and organized rodeos in the area. Mom started riding horses when she was three years old on her favorite horse Mike. In her teens she participated in steer riding, barrel racing and other events at local rodeos. Mom often told stories of her encounters with snakes, walking to school four miles from her home and being stranded at Lynn School, a one room schoolhouse during snowstorms. In high school she was very active in sports playing baseball, basketball and participating in track meets. She graduated from high school in 1943 and immediately began working at Ellsworth Air Force base in Rapid City, building and repairing planes during WWII. She was honored as one of the nation's "Rosie the Riveters". In 1945 she moved to Burlington and worked at Knutzen's General Store in Burlington and the Carnation Canning Company in Mount Vernon. In January 1947, she married Torleiv Aarstad in Rapid City, South Dakota. Mom and Dad honeymooned in Denver. She loved talking about driving across Wyoming and having to stop for an hour while a herd of Buffalo crossed the highway under a full moon. They returned to Burlington, Washington and lived on the family dairy farm until 1977. During this time their only child, Jon, was born. Mom was very active on the farm helping with harvests, driving pea truck in the summer and working at Goss's Variety Store in Sedro Woolley. In 1967 Berniece began driving school bus for the Mount Vernon School District and continued there until her retirement in 1980.
Mom was the last living Charter Member of the Burlington Eagles Auxiliary 3242 and served as Auxiliary President for two years. She was very proud of her South Dakota Cowgirl roots and rode horses for a number of years. She also rode in parades with the Skagit County Sherriff's posse. She was very active during her life as an avid bowler who successfully completed a 7 - 10 split and maintained a high bowling average. Along with Dottie Moe, she organized, managed, and played on a women's softball team known as the Burlington Bunnies. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed the many friends she made at the Skagit Golf and Country Club. As time passed and the legs slowed down, she focused much of her free time on making holiday crafts and playing bingo at the Eagles and local casinos.
Berniece was a very self-reliant, independent person, at times she was a bit feisty, but always enjoyed the company of her friends and family. She was willing to help others who were in need. She loved her family, friends, the Skagit Valley, horses, dogs, and her freedom. She was extremely proud of her service as "Rosie the Riveter" and was recognized for her role in a calendar of Northwest Rosies. She was exceptionally proud of her grandchildren, their spouses, and her great-grandchildren.
Berniece was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Torleiv N. Aarstad. Her mother and father Clara Mae (Johnston) Fisher and Arthur T. Fisher, her sisters Doris Fennel, LaVene Odom, and her brothers Fernie Fisher, Howard Fisher, Harvey Fisher, Earl Fisher, Harold Fisher and Duane Fisher and Audrey (Aarstad) Bright.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jon T. and Susan Aarstad. By her grandchildren Jill (Paul) DeCelle and Jon D. (Evanne) Aarstad. And by her Great-Grandchildren Saige Mykel Aarstad, Seneca Torei Aarstad, Jack Dean DeCelle and Teagan Jon DeCelle. Her sister-in-law Iren Fox, sister-in-law Laura Fisher and many nieces and nephews that she loved very much from both her Fisher and Aarstad families.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of "Where the Heart Is" for their continual and loving care of mom, and to Dr. David Benson for his guidance in providing medical care for mom. A special thank you to Hospice of the Northwest for sending Krista Hunter to guide and comfort mom during her end-of-life journey and to provide a kind heart to her surviving family members. Thank you also to Kirk Duffy and Hawthorne Funeral Home for their support and assistance with organizing mom's final resting place alongside her husband Torleiv.
In Lieu of flowers please send donations to Burlington-Edison Alumni Foundation, P.O. Box 350, Burlington, WA 98233 in the name of the Aarstad College Scholarship account for B-E High School students, or, to the Hospice of the Northwest Foundation,227 Freeway Drive, Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
A Celebration of life will be held December 31, 2022 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Skagit Golf and Country Club.
Published by Skagit Valley Herald from Oct. 30 to Oct. 31, 2022.
obit provided by contributor Peggy Frost (47796296)
Mom was the last living Charter Member of the Burlington Eagles Auxiliary 3242 and served as Auxiliary President for two years. She was very proud of her South Dakota Cowgirl roots and rode horses for a number of years. She also rode in parades with the Skagit County Sherriff's posse. She was very active during her life as an avid bowler who successfully completed a 7 - 10 split and maintained a high bowling average. Along with Dottie Moe, she organized, managed, and played on a women's softball team known as the Burlington Bunnies. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed the many friends she made at the Skagit Golf and Country Club. As time passed and the legs slowed down, she focused much of her free time on making holiday crafts and playing bingo at the Eagles and local casinos.
Berniece was a very self-reliant, independent person, at times she was a bit feisty, but always enjoyed the company of her friends and family. She was willing to help others who were in need. She loved her family, friends, the Skagit Valley, horses, dogs, and her freedom. She was extremely proud of her service as "Rosie the Riveter" and was recognized for her role in a calendar of Northwest Rosies. She was exceptionally proud of her grandchildren, their spouses, and her great-grandchildren.
Berniece was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Torleiv N. Aarstad. Her mother and father Clara Mae (Johnston) Fisher and Arthur T. Fisher, her sisters Doris Fennel, LaVene Odom, and her brothers Fernie Fisher, Howard Fisher, Harvey Fisher, Earl Fisher, Harold Fisher and Duane Fisher and Audrey (Aarstad) Bright.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jon T. and Susan Aarstad. By her grandchildren Jill (Paul) DeCelle and Jon D. (Evanne) Aarstad. And by her Great-Grandchildren Saige Mykel Aarstad, Seneca Torei Aarstad, Jack Dean DeCelle and Teagan Jon DeCelle. Her sister-in-law Iren Fox, sister-in-law Laura Fisher and many nieces and nephews that she loved very much from both her Fisher and Aarstad families.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of "Where the Heart Is" for their continual and loving care of mom, and to Dr. David Benson for his guidance in providing medical care for mom. A special thank you to Hospice of the Northwest for sending Krista Hunter to guide and comfort mom during her end-of-life journey and to provide a kind heart to her surviving family members. Thank you also to Kirk Duffy and Hawthorne Funeral Home for their support and assistance with organizing mom's final resting place alongside her husband Torleiv.
In Lieu of flowers please send donations to Burlington-Edison Alumni Foundation, P.O. Box 350, Burlington, WA 98233 in the name of the Aarstad College Scholarship account for B-E High School students, or, to the Hospice of the Northwest Foundation,227 Freeway Drive, Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
A Celebration of life will be held December 31, 2022 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Skagit Golf and Country Club.
Published by Skagit Valley Herald from Oct. 30 to Oct. 31, 2022.
obit provided by contributor Peggy Frost (47796296)
Burlington - Berniece Marie Aarstad (Fisher) passed away peacefully Saturday, October 22, 2022, two weeks short of her 97th birthday. Berniece, the daughter of Arthur and Mae Fisher (Johnston) was born at 2:00 am during a blizzard on November 5, 1925, in Dalzell, South Dakota. Mom was the sixth of nine children, having five older brothers, two younger sisters and a younger brother. Her family caught and broke mustangs for the US Calvary, transported cattle and organized rodeos in the area. Mom started riding horses when she was three years old on her favorite horse Mike. In her teens she participated in steer riding, barrel racing and other events at local rodeos. Mom often told stories of her encounters with snakes, walking to school four miles from her home and being stranded at Lynn School, a one room schoolhouse during snowstorms. In high school she was very active in sports playing baseball, basketball and participating in track meets. She graduated from high school in 1943 and immediately began working at Ellsworth Air Force base in Rapid City, building and repairing planes during WWII. She was honored as one of the nation's "Rosie the Riveters". In 1945 she moved to Burlington and worked at Knutzen's General Store in Burlington and the Carnation Canning Company in Mount Vernon. In January 1947, she married Torleiv Aarstad in Rapid City, South Dakota. Mom and Dad honeymooned in Denver. She loved talking about driving across Wyoming and having to stop for an hour while a herd of Buffalo crossed the highway under a full moon. They returned to Burlington, Washington and lived on the family dairy farm until 1977. During this time their only child, Jon, was born. Mom was very active on the farm helping with harvests, driving pea truck in the summer and working at Goss's Variety Store in Sedro Woolley. In 1967 Berniece began driving school bus for the Mount Vernon School District and continued there until her retirement in 1980.
Mom was the last living Charter Member of the Burlington Eagles Auxiliary 3242 and served as Auxiliary President for two years. She was very proud of her South Dakota Cowgirl roots and rode horses for a number of years. She also rode in parades with the Skagit County Sherriff's posse. She was very active during her life as an avid bowler who successfully completed a 7 - 10 split and maintained a high bowling average. Along with Dottie Moe, she organized, managed, and played on a women's softball team known as the Burlington Bunnies. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed the many friends she made at the Skagit Golf and Country Club. As time passed and the legs slowed down, she focused much of her free time on making holiday crafts and playing bingo at the Eagles and local casinos.
Berniece was a very self-reliant, independent person, at times she was a bit feisty, but always enjoyed the company of her friends and family. She was willing to help others who were in need. She loved her family, friends, the Skagit Valley, horses, dogs, and her freedom. She was extremely proud of her service as "Rosie the Riveter" and was recognized for her role in a calendar of Northwest Rosies. She was exceptionally proud of her grandchildren, their spouses, and her great-grandchildren.
Berniece was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Torleiv N. Aarstad. Her mother and father Clara Mae (Johnston) Fisher and Arthur T. Fisher, her sisters Doris Fennel, LaVene Odom, and her brothers Fernie Fisher, Howard Fisher, Harvey Fisher, Earl Fisher, Harold Fisher and Duane Fisher and Audrey (Aarstad) Bright.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jon T. and Susan Aarstad. By her grandchildren Jill (Paul) DeCelle and Jon D. (Evanne) Aarstad. And by her Great-Grandchildren Saige Mykel Aarstad, Seneca Torei Aarstad, Jack Dean DeCelle and Teagan Jon DeCelle. Her sister-in-law Iren Fox, sister-in-law Laura Fisher and many nieces and nephews that she loved very much from both her Fisher and Aarstad families.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of "Where the Heart Is" for their continual and loving care of mom, and to Dr. David Benson for his guidance in providing medical care for mom. A special thank you to Hospice of the Northwest for sending Krista Hunter to guide and comfort mom during her end-of-life journey and to provide a kind heart to her surviving family members. Thank you also to Kirk Duffy and Hawthorne Funeral Home for their support and assistance with organizing mom's final resting place alongside her husband Torleiv.
In Lieu of flowers please send donations to Burlington-Edison Alumni Foundation, P.O. Box 350, Burlington, WA 98233 in the name of the Aarstad College Scholarship account for B-E High School students, or, to the Hospice of the Northwest Foundation,227 Freeway Drive, Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
A Celebration of life will be held December 31, 2022 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Skagit Golf and Country Club.
Published by Skagit Valley Herald from Oct. 30 to Oct. 31, 2022.
obit provided by contributor Peggy Frost (47796296)
Mom was the last living Charter Member of the Burlington Eagles Auxiliary 3242 and served as Auxiliary President for two years. She was very proud of her South Dakota Cowgirl roots and rode horses for a number of years. She also rode in parades with the Skagit County Sherriff's posse. She was very active during her life as an avid bowler who successfully completed a 7 - 10 split and maintained a high bowling average. Along with Dottie Moe, she organized, managed, and played on a women's softball team known as the Burlington Bunnies. She was an avid golfer and enjoyed the many friends she made at the Skagit Golf and Country Club. As time passed and the legs slowed down, she focused much of her free time on making holiday crafts and playing bingo at the Eagles and local casinos.
Berniece was a very self-reliant, independent person, at times she was a bit feisty, but always enjoyed the company of her friends and family. She was willing to help others who were in need. She loved her family, friends, the Skagit Valley, horses, dogs, and her freedom. She was extremely proud of her service as "Rosie the Riveter" and was recognized for her role in a calendar of Northwest Rosies. She was exceptionally proud of her grandchildren, their spouses, and her great-grandchildren.
Berniece was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Torleiv N. Aarstad. Her mother and father Clara Mae (Johnston) Fisher and Arthur T. Fisher, her sisters Doris Fennel, LaVene Odom, and her brothers Fernie Fisher, Howard Fisher, Harvey Fisher, Earl Fisher, Harold Fisher and Duane Fisher and Audrey (Aarstad) Bright.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jon T. and Susan Aarstad. By her grandchildren Jill (Paul) DeCelle and Jon D. (Evanne) Aarstad. And by her Great-Grandchildren Saige Mykel Aarstad, Seneca Torei Aarstad, Jack Dean DeCelle and Teagan Jon DeCelle. Her sister-in-law Iren Fox, sister-in-law Laura Fisher and many nieces and nephews that she loved very much from both her Fisher and Aarstad families.
The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of "Where the Heart Is" for their continual and loving care of mom, and to Dr. David Benson for his guidance in providing medical care for mom. A special thank you to Hospice of the Northwest for sending Krista Hunter to guide and comfort mom during her end-of-life journey and to provide a kind heart to her surviving family members. Thank you also to Kirk Duffy and Hawthorne Funeral Home for their support and assistance with organizing mom's final resting place alongside her husband Torleiv.
In Lieu of flowers please send donations to Burlington-Edison Alumni Foundation, P.O. Box 350, Burlington, WA 98233 in the name of the Aarstad College Scholarship account for B-E High School students, or, to the Hospice of the Northwest Foundation,227 Freeway Drive, Suite A, Mount Vernon, WA 98273
A Celebration of life will be held December 31, 2022 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at the Skagit Golf and Country Club.
Published by Skagit Valley Herald from Oct. 30 to Oct. 31, 2022.
obit provided by contributor Peggy Frost (47796296)
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
