Stig Erick Westerlund

Stig was born on May 29, 1925 in Detroit, MI to Eric and Elsa Johnson. He departed this life peacefully on July 7, 2010. At the age of two years, following the death of their father, Stig and his younger sister Eva went to live with their grandparents in Sweden. Two years later, they returned to live in Brooklyn, NY with their mother, adoptive father, and later on a younger brother Frank. With the outbreak of World War II, Stig received parental permission to quit high school and join the Navy. Following the war, he helped his parents move from Brooklyn to Sherwood, OR and then enlisted in the US Air Force. While stationed in Japan he met the love of his life, Yasuko, and married her in 1953. They returned to the USA where they were blessed with four daughters over the next seven years. During his 22 years in the Air Force, Stig was stationed in Texas, Arizona, California, Japan, Washington, Okinawa, Kansas, and Idaho. Upon retiring in 1969, the family moved to Lynnwood, Washington. Stig completed his B.A. in Business Administration at the University of Washington in 1976. He worked for the US Postal Service, initially as a mail carrier and then as a postal inspector, retiring in 1989.

Stig was actively involved and a lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge #137 of Grand Lodge of Washington. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite of the Valley of Everett and of the Odd Fellows Pilgrim Lodge #187 of the the Grand Lodge of Washington. During his retirement years he remained involved with a variety of activities including fishing, hunting and volunteering at Snohomish County Visitors Information Center. He loved taking his grandchildren camping and fishing. Stig and Yasuko also enjoyed traveling and going on cruises. But most of all, Stig enjoyed relaxing with a cup of coffee while visiting with family and friends. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

Stig is survived by his wife Yasuko of Everett; four daughters Susan Valaas (Peter) of Wenatchee, Bree Both (Rien) of Las Vegas, Karen Kuiken (Glenn, deceased) of Okanogan, Anita Merrill (Jerry) of Las Vegas; 11 grandchildren Kaiza Kuiken of Okanogan, Heather Skelton (Shannon) of Lake Tahoe, Ryan Valaas of Ephrata, Laura Valaas of East Wenatchee, Kirsten Valaas of Wenatchee, Ariane, Nathalia and Cameron Both all of Las Vegas, Alexis Stewart (John) of Tacoma, Kai and Sean Merrill both of Las Vegas, sister Eva Belding of Northborough, MA, brother Frank of Yuma, AZ.

Viewing will be at Evergreen Funeral Home (4504 Broadway, Everett) on Tuesday July 13 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM. Memorial service will be held at 11:30 on Wednesday July 14 with internment to follow at Tahoma National Cemetery at 2:00 PM.