born April 16, 1929 in Lincoln,
Neb., to Mollie and Andrew
Starkel the third of four
daughters, passed away July 7,
2019 in Portland, Ore.
Ilene wanted to get out of
Lincoln and move west so at
the age of 17 she convinced her
parents Portland was the place
to be. They sold their home and
all its belongings and moved to
Portland where Ilene and her
sisters attended Grant High
School. While in high school
Ilene worked on the switch
board for the phone company,
pulling wires and transferring
calls. It was there she brushed with greatness by speaking to
Jimmy Stewart, a heart throb at the time. While in high school
she also worked at the Hollywood Fred Meyer, selling popcorn.
After graduation, Ilene met a handsome solider, Don Tamlyn
and double dated with her older sister Mary Lou Starkel and
Richard Malowney. The dates must have gone well as the
sisters married their suitors. Ilene and Don married in 1949.
Four children followed, Robert, Gil, Molly and Don Jr.
Ilene went to work for Bauman Construction in the early 60’s.
She later managed a credit union for Carnation Milk Company
where husband Don worked, then went on to manage the Meat
Cutters Credit Union until her retirement after 26 years.
Ilene lovingly cared for Don while ill until he passed way in
2005. In 2008 Ilene rediscovered love with Grant Valentine of
Olympia. Grant and Ilene moved to Summerfield in Tigard
where they became prolific painters, garden enthusiasts,
dancers and music lovers. In 2017 Ilene moved to the Springs
in Lake Oswego where Grant visited nearly everyday.
Ilene is survived by her four children; their spouses; seven
grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and her fiancé, Grant.
Ilene will be remembered most for her humor, generosity,
compassionate heart, artistic skill and her deep love of
her children, her fiancé Grant, flowers of every variety and
chocolate.
Ilene’s memorial will be held Monday, July 15, 2019. Guests
should gather at Lincoln Memorial Park by 12:30 p.m., for a
procession to Willamette National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers
the family kindly requests a donation in Ilene’s name to Legacy
Hopewell House.
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