Cleve C. Chase died on September 30, 2013 at his Mountain Glen apartment in Mount Vernon at the age of 99.
Cleve was born August 28, 1914 to William H. and Vernetta (Reese) Chase in Saskatchewan, Canada. The family had moved from Iowa several years earlier to homestead in Saskatchewan. When Cleve was 6 years old the family permanently relocated to Skagit County.
Cleve grew up in the Nookachamps and worked as a machinist for Hamburg Iron Works before and after World War II.
He married Lois Allquist in 1946 after he returned from his overseas military service during World War II.
Beside his parents and his uncle, Archie Reese, Cleve was preceded in death his wife, Lois (Allquist) Chase, their infant daughter, Jan Louise Chase, and his seven older siblings: Oren Chase, Joe Chase, Iva Cline, Claude Chase, Helen Chase, Zora Hamburg, and Flora Hamburg.
He is survived by his nieces and nephews: Reta Simmons, Ben Chase (Chris); Glen Chase (Sheri), Glenda Farrell (Pat), Willard Cline, Neil Hamburg (Darlene), Lee, Hamburg, Roger Jennings (Lorene), Don Cannon, Becky Cannon, Kathy Allquist and Julee Bradshaw (Aaron).
During WWII, Cleve was overseas from early 1942 until a few weeks before V-E Day. Cleve began his overseas war service driving a gas truck but when his mechanical ability became evident he became part of a ground and mechanical crew working on C-47s. These cargo planes hauled everything in the war effort: paratroopers; mules, Jeeps, camels (in North Africa), gliders, and the wounded. Cleve quickly became chief of his own crew and later he became chief over a cluster of crews.
Cleve simply loved mechanical work and he repaired, rebuilt, and tinkered with every vehicle he ever had: bicycles, cars (his favorite having been his 1937 Packard), pick-ups, his John Deere rider mower, and - in older age - his walker. But his all-time favorite vehicle was a C-47.
C-47 ground crews didn't stay on the ground and Cleve went on missions with the flight crew frequently. During the war, Cleve was involved in almost all the major European campaigns (North Africa, Sicily, Italy, D-Day, and the overall invasion of France. In the early part of his military service, Cleve had been stationed in India and he was also involved in the invasion of Imphal in India.
Although he didn't speak of it much, his war experience was a formative one and Cleve was proud to have done his bit. With the breakout of the Bosnian wars in the early 1990s, though, it was clear that Cleve had grown to regret the loss of life and tragedy of any war.
Before the war Cleve had met Lois Allquist. Their first date was at the 1939 Sedro-Woolley Loggerodeo - a blind date set up by their sisters, Flora and Mae. Cleve and Lois took to each other right away, but didn't marry until Cleve returned from his military service. They married in 1946 and settled on 1½ acres on old Highway 99 about ¼ mile from the Riverside Bridge. With nothing around them except strawberry fields, Cleve and Lois put down roots and settled into the place that, over time, they called their "farmette". Around 1957, Cleve's uncle, Archie Reese, bought a trailer and moved it to the farmette and there he lived on the farmette until his death more than 15 years later.
Cleve and Lois sold their farmette in 1978 and moved to Sedro-Woolley where they met a bucketful of wonderful neighbors - and some of them with young children. Cleve and Lois took to all these kids as they had to their nieces and nephews. They were able to experience being substitute grandparents and this was something they enjoyed thoroughly and found very satisfying.
Cleve and Lois loved the outdoors and they explored the North Cascades thoroughly. Cleve loved being in the quiet of an old forest, walking near a creek or river, and identifying plants, birds, and other wildlife.
After retiring in the late 1970's Cleve and Lois bought their first trailer and broadened their camping trips to include British Columbia, the Olympic Peninsula, the Oregon coast, and northern California. Cleve and Lois introduced their family and friends to their version of The Great Outdoors, including some of their favorite spots on the upper Sauk, Cascade, Suiattle, and White Chuck Rivers.
Cleve and Lois belonged to the Avon United Methodist Church where Lois had attended services as a girl. Although he became a congregant at Avon later in life, being a member of that community was important and meaningful to Cleve.
After retirement Cleve joined the Skagit Men's Garden Club and there he expanded his orchard-tending and vegetable- and fruit-raising skills to include flowering plants. He loved having friends and neighbors come and harvest fruit from the trees and grapes from the vines. When she was still in good health, Cleve and Lois worked together in getting their produce canned, frozen, dried, or made into jams, jellies, and syrups.
Although not inclined to attend lodge meetings frequently, Cleve became a Mason in 1942 and he was a member of the Mt. Baker Lodge in Mt. Vernon. In 2012 Cleve, received his 70-year Mason membership pin and he wore it every day.
The family is grateful for the kind and professional care of the entire staff at Mountain Glen where Cleve lived during the final 5½ years of his life. To everyone at Mountain Glen (you know who are!) thank you most sincerely.
Cleve's memorial service will be held at the Avon United Methodist Church on Friday, October 4, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
Remembrances in lieu of flowers can be made to: Children's Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle, Hospice of the Northwest, Avon United Methodist Church, or preferred charity.
Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.
Published in Skagit Valley Herald Publishing Company on Oct. 3, 2013
Cleve was born August 28, 1914 to William H. and Vernetta (Reese) Chase in Saskatchewan, Canada. The family had moved from Iowa several years earlier to homestead in Saskatchewan. When Cleve was 6 years old the family permanently relocated to Skagit County.
Cleve grew up in the Nookachamps and worked as a machinist for Hamburg Iron Works before and after World War II.
He married Lois Allquist in 1946 after he returned from his overseas military service during World War II.
Beside his parents and his uncle, Archie Reese, Cleve was preceded in death his wife, Lois (Allquist) Chase, their infant daughter, Jan Louise Chase, and his seven older siblings: Oren Chase, Joe Chase, Iva Cline, Claude Chase, Helen Chase, Zora Hamburg, and Flora Hamburg.
He is survived by his nieces and nephews: Reta Simmons, Ben Chase (Chris); Glen Chase (Sheri), Glenda Farrell (Pat), Willard Cline, Neil Hamburg (Darlene), Lee, Hamburg, Roger Jennings (Lorene), Don Cannon, Becky Cannon, Kathy Allquist and Julee Bradshaw (Aaron).
During WWII, Cleve was overseas from early 1942 until a few weeks before V-E Day. Cleve began his overseas war service driving a gas truck but when his mechanical ability became evident he became part of a ground and mechanical crew working on C-47s. These cargo planes hauled everything in the war effort: paratroopers; mules, Jeeps, camels (in North Africa), gliders, and the wounded. Cleve quickly became chief of his own crew and later he became chief over a cluster of crews.
Cleve simply loved mechanical work and he repaired, rebuilt, and tinkered with every vehicle he ever had: bicycles, cars (his favorite having been his 1937 Packard), pick-ups, his John Deere rider mower, and - in older age - his walker. But his all-time favorite vehicle was a C-47.
C-47 ground crews didn't stay on the ground and Cleve went on missions with the flight crew frequently. During the war, Cleve was involved in almost all the major European campaigns (North Africa, Sicily, Italy, D-Day, and the overall invasion of France. In the early part of his military service, Cleve had been stationed in India and he was also involved in the invasion of Imphal in India.
Although he didn't speak of it much, his war experience was a formative one and Cleve was proud to have done his bit. With the breakout of the Bosnian wars in the early 1990s, though, it was clear that Cleve had grown to regret the loss of life and tragedy of any war.
Before the war Cleve had met Lois Allquist. Their first date was at the 1939 Sedro-Woolley Loggerodeo - a blind date set up by their sisters, Flora and Mae. Cleve and Lois took to each other right away, but didn't marry until Cleve returned from his military service. They married in 1946 and settled on 1½ acres on old Highway 99 about ¼ mile from the Riverside Bridge. With nothing around them except strawberry fields, Cleve and Lois put down roots and settled into the place that, over time, they called their "farmette". Around 1957, Cleve's uncle, Archie Reese, bought a trailer and moved it to the farmette and there he lived on the farmette until his death more than 15 years later.
Cleve and Lois sold their farmette in 1978 and moved to Sedro-Woolley where they met a bucketful of wonderful neighbors - and some of them with young children. Cleve and Lois took to all these kids as they had to their nieces and nephews. They were able to experience being substitute grandparents and this was something they enjoyed thoroughly and found very satisfying.
Cleve and Lois loved the outdoors and they explored the North Cascades thoroughly. Cleve loved being in the quiet of an old forest, walking near a creek or river, and identifying plants, birds, and other wildlife.
After retiring in the late 1970's Cleve and Lois bought their first trailer and broadened their camping trips to include British Columbia, the Olympic Peninsula, the Oregon coast, and northern California. Cleve and Lois introduced their family and friends to their version of The Great Outdoors, including some of their favorite spots on the upper Sauk, Cascade, Suiattle, and White Chuck Rivers.
Cleve and Lois belonged to the Avon United Methodist Church where Lois had attended services as a girl. Although he became a congregant at Avon later in life, being a member of that community was important and meaningful to Cleve.
After retirement Cleve joined the Skagit Men's Garden Club and there he expanded his orchard-tending and vegetable- and fruit-raising skills to include flowering plants. He loved having friends and neighbors come and harvest fruit from the trees and grapes from the vines. When she was still in good health, Cleve and Lois worked together in getting their produce canned, frozen, dried, or made into jams, jellies, and syrups.
Although not inclined to attend lodge meetings frequently, Cleve became a Mason in 1942 and he was a member of the Mt. Baker Lodge in Mt. Vernon. In 2012 Cleve, received his 70-year Mason membership pin and he wore it every day.
The family is grateful for the kind and professional care of the entire staff at Mountain Glen where Cleve lived during the final 5½ years of his life. To everyone at Mountain Glen (you know who are!) thank you most sincerely.
Cleve's memorial service will be held at the Avon United Methodist Church on Friday, October 4, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
Remembrances in lieu of flowers can be made to: Children's Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle, Hospice of the Northwest, Avon United Methodist Church, or preferred charity.
Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.
Published in Skagit Valley Herald Publishing Company on Oct. 3, 2013
Cleve C. Chase died on September 30, 2013 at his Mountain Glen apartment in Mount Vernon at the age of 99.
Cleve was born August 28, 1914 to William H. and Vernetta (Reese) Chase in Saskatchewan, Canada. The family had moved from Iowa several years earlier to homestead in Saskatchewan. When Cleve was 6 years old the family permanently relocated to Skagit County.
Cleve grew up in the Nookachamps and worked as a machinist for Hamburg Iron Works before and after World War II.
He married Lois Allquist in 1946 after he returned from his overseas military service during World War II.
Beside his parents and his uncle, Archie Reese, Cleve was preceded in death his wife, Lois (Allquist) Chase, their infant daughter, Jan Louise Chase, and his seven older siblings: Oren Chase, Joe Chase, Iva Cline, Claude Chase, Helen Chase, Zora Hamburg, and Flora Hamburg.
He is survived by his nieces and nephews: Reta Simmons, Ben Chase (Chris); Glen Chase (Sheri), Glenda Farrell (Pat), Willard Cline, Neil Hamburg (Darlene), Lee, Hamburg, Roger Jennings (Lorene), Don Cannon, Becky Cannon, Kathy Allquist and Julee Bradshaw (Aaron).
During WWII, Cleve was overseas from early 1942 until a few weeks before V-E Day. Cleve began his overseas war service driving a gas truck but when his mechanical ability became evident he became part of a ground and mechanical crew working on C-47s. These cargo planes hauled everything in the war effort: paratroopers; mules, Jeeps, camels (in North Africa), gliders, and the wounded. Cleve quickly became chief of his own crew and later he became chief over a cluster of crews.
Cleve simply loved mechanical work and he repaired, rebuilt, and tinkered with every vehicle he ever had: bicycles, cars (his favorite having been his 1937 Packard), pick-ups, his John Deere rider mower, and - in older age - his walker. But his all-time favorite vehicle was a C-47.
C-47 ground crews didn't stay on the ground and Cleve went on missions with the flight crew frequently. During the war, Cleve was involved in almost all the major European campaigns (North Africa, Sicily, Italy, D-Day, and the overall invasion of France. In the early part of his military service, Cleve had been stationed in India and he was also involved in the invasion of Imphal in India.
Although he didn't speak of it much, his war experience was a formative one and Cleve was proud to have done his bit. With the breakout of the Bosnian wars in the early 1990s, though, it was clear that Cleve had grown to regret the loss of life and tragedy of any war.
Before the war Cleve had met Lois Allquist. Their first date was at the 1939 Sedro-Woolley Loggerodeo - a blind date set up by their sisters, Flora and Mae. Cleve and Lois took to each other right away, but didn't marry until Cleve returned from his military service. They married in 1946 and settled on 1½ acres on old Highway 99 about ¼ mile from the Riverside Bridge. With nothing around them except strawberry fields, Cleve and Lois put down roots and settled into the place that, over time, they called their "farmette". Around 1957, Cleve's uncle, Archie Reese, bought a trailer and moved it to the farmette and there he lived on the farmette until his death more than 15 years later.
Cleve and Lois sold their farmette in 1978 and moved to Sedro-Woolley where they met a bucketful of wonderful neighbors - and some of them with young children. Cleve and Lois took to all these kids as they had to their nieces and nephews. They were able to experience being substitute grandparents and this was something they enjoyed thoroughly and found very satisfying.
Cleve and Lois loved the outdoors and they explored the North Cascades thoroughly. Cleve loved being in the quiet of an old forest, walking near a creek or river, and identifying plants, birds, and other wildlife.
After retiring in the late 1970's Cleve and Lois bought their first trailer and broadened their camping trips to include British Columbia, the Olympic Peninsula, the Oregon coast, and northern California. Cleve and Lois introduced their family and friends to their version of The Great Outdoors, including some of their favorite spots on the upper Sauk, Cascade, Suiattle, and White Chuck Rivers.
Cleve and Lois belonged to the Avon United Methodist Church where Lois had attended services as a girl. Although he became a congregant at Avon later in life, being a member of that community was important and meaningful to Cleve.
After retirement Cleve joined the Skagit Men's Garden Club and there he expanded his orchard-tending and vegetable- and fruit-raising skills to include flowering plants. He loved having friends and neighbors come and harvest fruit from the trees and grapes from the vines. When she was still in good health, Cleve and Lois worked together in getting their produce canned, frozen, dried, or made into jams, jellies, and syrups.
Although not inclined to attend lodge meetings frequently, Cleve became a Mason in 1942 and he was a member of the Mt. Baker Lodge in Mt. Vernon. In 2012 Cleve, received his 70-year Mason membership pin and he wore it every day.
The family is grateful for the kind and professional care of the entire staff at Mountain Glen where Cleve lived during the final 5½ years of his life. To everyone at Mountain Glen (you know who are!) thank you most sincerely.
Cleve's memorial service will be held at the Avon United Methodist Church on Friday, October 4, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
Remembrances in lieu of flowers can be made to: Children's Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle, Hospice of the Northwest, Avon United Methodist Church, or preferred charity.
Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.
Published in Skagit Valley Herald Publishing Company on Oct. 3, 2013
Cleve was born August 28, 1914 to William H. and Vernetta (Reese) Chase in Saskatchewan, Canada. The family had moved from Iowa several years earlier to homestead in Saskatchewan. When Cleve was 6 years old the family permanently relocated to Skagit County.
Cleve grew up in the Nookachamps and worked as a machinist for Hamburg Iron Works before and after World War II.
He married Lois Allquist in 1946 after he returned from his overseas military service during World War II.
Beside his parents and his uncle, Archie Reese, Cleve was preceded in death his wife, Lois (Allquist) Chase, their infant daughter, Jan Louise Chase, and his seven older siblings: Oren Chase, Joe Chase, Iva Cline, Claude Chase, Helen Chase, Zora Hamburg, and Flora Hamburg.
He is survived by his nieces and nephews: Reta Simmons, Ben Chase (Chris); Glen Chase (Sheri), Glenda Farrell (Pat), Willard Cline, Neil Hamburg (Darlene), Lee, Hamburg, Roger Jennings (Lorene), Don Cannon, Becky Cannon, Kathy Allquist and Julee Bradshaw (Aaron).
During WWII, Cleve was overseas from early 1942 until a few weeks before V-E Day. Cleve began his overseas war service driving a gas truck but when his mechanical ability became evident he became part of a ground and mechanical crew working on C-47s. These cargo planes hauled everything in the war effort: paratroopers; mules, Jeeps, camels (in North Africa), gliders, and the wounded. Cleve quickly became chief of his own crew and later he became chief over a cluster of crews.
Cleve simply loved mechanical work and he repaired, rebuilt, and tinkered with every vehicle he ever had: bicycles, cars (his favorite having been his 1937 Packard), pick-ups, his John Deere rider mower, and - in older age - his walker. But his all-time favorite vehicle was a C-47.
C-47 ground crews didn't stay on the ground and Cleve went on missions with the flight crew frequently. During the war, Cleve was involved in almost all the major European campaigns (North Africa, Sicily, Italy, D-Day, and the overall invasion of France. In the early part of his military service, Cleve had been stationed in India and he was also involved in the invasion of Imphal in India.
Although he didn't speak of it much, his war experience was a formative one and Cleve was proud to have done his bit. With the breakout of the Bosnian wars in the early 1990s, though, it was clear that Cleve had grown to regret the loss of life and tragedy of any war.
Before the war Cleve had met Lois Allquist. Their first date was at the 1939 Sedro-Woolley Loggerodeo - a blind date set up by their sisters, Flora and Mae. Cleve and Lois took to each other right away, but didn't marry until Cleve returned from his military service. They married in 1946 and settled on 1½ acres on old Highway 99 about ¼ mile from the Riverside Bridge. With nothing around them except strawberry fields, Cleve and Lois put down roots and settled into the place that, over time, they called their "farmette". Around 1957, Cleve's uncle, Archie Reese, bought a trailer and moved it to the farmette and there he lived on the farmette until his death more than 15 years later.
Cleve and Lois sold their farmette in 1978 and moved to Sedro-Woolley where they met a bucketful of wonderful neighbors - and some of them with young children. Cleve and Lois took to all these kids as they had to their nieces and nephews. They were able to experience being substitute grandparents and this was something they enjoyed thoroughly and found very satisfying.
Cleve and Lois loved the outdoors and they explored the North Cascades thoroughly. Cleve loved being in the quiet of an old forest, walking near a creek or river, and identifying plants, birds, and other wildlife.
After retiring in the late 1970's Cleve and Lois bought their first trailer and broadened their camping trips to include British Columbia, the Olympic Peninsula, the Oregon coast, and northern California. Cleve and Lois introduced their family and friends to their version of The Great Outdoors, including some of their favorite spots on the upper Sauk, Cascade, Suiattle, and White Chuck Rivers.
Cleve and Lois belonged to the Avon United Methodist Church where Lois had attended services as a girl. Although he became a congregant at Avon later in life, being a member of that community was important and meaningful to Cleve.
After retirement Cleve joined the Skagit Men's Garden Club and there he expanded his orchard-tending and vegetable- and fruit-raising skills to include flowering plants. He loved having friends and neighbors come and harvest fruit from the trees and grapes from the vines. When she was still in good health, Cleve and Lois worked together in getting their produce canned, frozen, dried, or made into jams, jellies, and syrups.
Although not inclined to attend lodge meetings frequently, Cleve became a Mason in 1942 and he was a member of the Mt. Baker Lodge in Mt. Vernon. In 2012 Cleve, received his 70-year Mason membership pin and he wore it every day.
The family is grateful for the kind and professional care of the entire staff at Mountain Glen where Cleve lived during the final 5½ years of his life. To everyone at Mountain Glen (you know who are!) thank you most sincerely.
Cleve's memorial service will be held at the Avon United Methodist Church on Friday, October 4, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
Remembrances in lieu of flowers can be made to: Children's Orthopedic Hospital in Seattle, Hospice of the Northwest, Avon United Methodist Church, or preferred charity.
Arrangements are under the care of Kern Funeral Home.
Published in Skagit Valley Herald Publishing Company on Oct. 3, 2013
