Ethel Signe King

Ethel Signe Salvesen King was born 100 years and 77 days ago in Minominee, Michigan. Her father Torger moved the family to Seattle in 1918 to the Greenlake area of Seattle because it "reminded him of Norway".

Ethel loved to read and study making her an excellent student at McDonald Grade School, Hamilton Jr. High, Lincoln High School and Griffin Business College. She proudly spent a decade working at the G.O. Guy Drugs on Yesler. It was during this 10 years she delved into the world of fashion and met the love of her life. Clarence Roland King would pick up his paycheck from Ethel (the bookeeper). It was love and a marriage in 2 years at Immanuel Lutheran Church. Their daughter Joan Kathleen was born (to the best parents a girl could pick).

Two big adventures followed. A decade in Alaska with Alaska Steamship Company. Eighteen homes in eighteen years were made in Seward, Kodiak, and Ketchikan by Ethel. The second came when Ethel and Clarence bought the Ballard Hole N One Donut Shop. They expanded the business by adding lunch. Mom made homemade chili, soups, and sandwiches.

Once settled in the community Ethel became very involved in Ballard First Lutheran Church, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School, and making quilts for Mission Projects. She always did her best, playing piano, learning French, bowling, gardening, sewing, and homemaking. She loved to hike, camp, and travel.

Ethel was always cheerful inspite of major challenges and losses, surviving breat cancer surgery and the loss of Clarence after 57 years of marriage. Her last eight years she resided at Norse Home. The staff and residents became friends and we thank them for their support and care.

The accomplishments of Ethel are many but the kind of person she was is most important. She was faithful to her church, her values, family and friends. She was generous, kind, determined and loving and was known by all for her hospitality, humor and courage. She loved greatly and was loved greatly. She has now found her Mama and Clarence as they greeted her in Heaven with a chilled Manhattan.