Albert Arie Van Belle

Albert passed away on August 10, 2010. He was born at home on September 29, 1916 to Louis and Cornelia Van Belle in Conrad, Montana. He was one of their six children. His family moved to the Spokane area when he was about 8 years old. After graduating from North Central High School he married Ruth who was a West Valley graduate. Together they had five children. Albert served in WWII prior to managing a chicken ranch that supplied fryers to most of the restaurants in the Spokane area. He worked in the lumber industry for over 20 years until the time of his retirement. He built two homes in the valley for his family to live in. Albert and Ruth opened their home throughout the years to children from broken homes, college students, exchange students, had foster children and took care of the elderly. During Expo '74, they opened their home to tourists as a bed & breakfast. After retiring he went on several mission trips with the SDA Church and spent time vacationing. After he was 79, he climbed several mountains, climbing to the summit of the highest peaks in several states. Albert is preceded in death by three sisters and his daughter Kathleen King. He is survived by brothers, Louis Van Belle and William Van Belle; Ruth, his wife of 68 years; and children, Barbara Everett, Richard Van Belle, David Van Belle, Marian Opsal; twenty grandchildren; thirty five great grandchildren and ten great great grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 10:00AM at Otis Orchards Seventh Day Adventist Church, 4308 North Harvard, Otis Orchards, WA.