Name: Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery
Address: Seattle, WA

Please join Janice for 

Walter Strigen’s Celebration of Life  

 May 4, 2024 from 2pm until 8pm    Open House   

St John the Baptist Episcopal Church  

3050 California Ave SW 

Seattle, WA 98116 

I plan to have Dinner around 5ish. Please bring a story and a dish to share.  Russian Easter and Cino de Mayo are both on May 5,  so bring a Russian dish (salads work fine) or a Mexican dish or a dessert.  

As many of you know Walter left us on DEC 17, 2023 after his fight  with cancer and a stasis infection.  He left me with an enormous collection of Hawaiian shirts, sizes M, L, XL, 2XL,  and one 3XXL. It is down to 10 totes of shirts!    I will bring these to the Celebration of Life to share with You.  He was planning to open a store on eBay, but that never happened and we have moved these shirts with us over the years.  Now, it‘s time these shirts find a home and be enjoyed.

Please Join Janice for

 Walter's Celebration of Life...

May 4, 2024 from  2pm  until  8pm   Open house... 
At
St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church
3050 California Ave SW
Seattle, WA 98116  (west seattle)

I plan to have Dinner around 5ish. Please bring a story and a dish to share. Russian Easter and Cino de May are both on May 5, so bring a Russian (salad work fine) or a Mexican dish or a dessert.
 
Walter left an Enormous Collection of Hawaiian Shirts. Sizes M, L, XL,2XL and One 3XL.   I keep finding totes of shirts,  I will bring then to share with You.  He was planning a ebay store , but that never happened... and we have moved these shirt over the years.. it time they find a home and be enjoyed.

These photos of cousin Walt ( Janice in background) are favorites of mine from 1987. They are taken in the streets of Moscow where we were tourists in one of the first tour groups allowed in. Remember Glasnost & Perestroika? …Reagan was president and Star Wars was his  cold war defense initiative…  It was a rare time in US/Russia relations and being there with our two Russian-fluent moms, Olga & Ginny, made for the most poignant experiences with lasting human connections. I’m thankful for the opportunity to have traveled with Walt and together explore some of our Russian roots. Walt and Janice went on to be avid world travelers.

 Your latest trip, Vova, is solo; you get to arrive in heaven before us. So get familiar with the place, then when we arrive, you can provide personalized guided tours. (Please make my first stop a face-to-face with Jesus). I love you, cousin! Hoggy-hoggy! Julia

Dear Janice,

We have fond memories of spending time with both you and Walter.   Walter was the one that introduced the excitement of driving to me and my sister on an empty parking lot when we were teens.  What a thrill it was to try that and to have Walter with his easy going personality next to us as we learned.  I will always treasure that day.

You were both generous hosts for my family later on when we came to Seattle for a visit and stayed at your beautiful condo on the beach.  Another beautiful memory of your family’s generosity and opportunity for our boys to experience Pacific North West.

Our last visit was in 2016 when we met you in Seattle and then in Canada for a walk about Whistler and a meal.  I can’t think of another couple that loved travel and adventure as much as you two.  You have truly free spirit.

We join you in sadness and mourning.  Walter is very much missed.  Please accept our sincere condolences.  Big hugs from all of us in Colorado.

Janice,
My heart hurts for you in the loss of your great love, Walter.   On one of my last visits with Walter this is what he told us:  “I’ve had a great life.  I traveled all over the world, met many amazing people, and had many wonderful adventures.  If this is my time, that’s OK.”  His spirit was strong and his love was deep for life and for all of us that were blessed to be a part of his adventures.  Love you Walter and see you on the other side.  
Love you Janice.

My heartfelt condolences to the Strigen family.

Dear Janice,

Natasha wrote me about your loss and I perceive it as personal loss. Although we didn’t correspond for a long time, I’ve always felt your presence in my life and considered both of you as my close friends with whom I had affinity. 

No words can alleviate the loss of a dear person with whom one spent many years and was one soul in two bodies, like you and Walter. Only time can if not cure, but at least smoothen the pain of loss. I experienced it several times, but especially after my parents’ death. Please know that we all grieve with you and keep you in our hearts.

What was the cause? Was it a long illness or an accident?

Yours in friendship,
Volodya       volodyashestakov@gmail.com

We fondly remember Walter, our neighbor and friend of over 20 years. Always admiring his classic car projects, Hawaiian shirt collection, colorful glasses and his great sense of humor.  Walter  convinced us to take our first cruise with he and Janice, and was an excellent host for our visits to Long Beach.  Best of all ,  we will always remember our neighborly front porch cocktail visits in the summer and the “stand up” fish fry's at their kitchen counter.  Be at peace Walter. We will miss you.  Mauricio and Liz.

Janice, please know my heart is with you.  May the beautiful memories that you & Walter shared in your wonderful life together help you adjust through this difficult time.
Love, Harlene

Dear Janice, it is impossible to express in words how much I condolence to you and your family.

I've been afraid of this news probably all my life, especially in the last years when there was no connection with you.

I loved my godfather with all my heart and I am grateful that you are both a part of my  life and will always remain in it. After all, Russians do not forget those whom they once loved.

I want to say that you have made my life special, now it is very difficult for me to realize that this thread is being broken, but the time spent with you was truly magical for me.

I still keep and carry all the things that he gave me with special trepidation.

We also remember your birthday, but now I can't say the words of congratulations, sorry. I want you to stay strong, healthy and caring,  as I remember the last time we met.

Words of encouragement and prayers for you are shared by every part of our family.

We love, we mourn, eternal memory to dear Walter.

Olga    Ольга Королева

Walter will be missed by many. He always seemed ready to celebrate and enjoyed welcoming everyone to his home. We are sorry he was robbed of enjoying their new home. My heartfelt condolences to Janice and his family. Carol and Jim Egelston

Walter, you will be truly missed. My heart goes out to your beloved wife and family

OBITUARY

Walter George Strigen

December 28, 1949 – December 17, 2023

Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home & Cemetery

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Reminders

Services