Spokane Valley, Washington
Ilabelle was born 5/2/1922 in Rosalia, Washington to Maude and George Crutcher. She grew up with two sisters (Gladys and Hazel) and five brothers (Howard, Norman, Max, Glen, and Leonard) during the Great Depression years!
She went to school in Pine City, Washington, playing basketball and graduating in 1940.
While attending classes to become a nurse, she met Marcus (Curly) Alderson. He was a cadet in the US Air Force, and they met just four months before Pearl Harbor. They were married at the Coeur d’ Alene Hitching Post on August 16, 1941 and were together for 56 years!
While Curly was serving in the US Air Force during WWII, Ilabelle worked as a bank teller. During his service career they lived in several different countries including England and Spain.
While stationed in England they decided to adopt a baby. She traveled to Germany to pick-up their son, Michael James Alderson. He came home to the United States with them and became a U.S. citizen at four years old.
When Curly retired from the Air Force after 26 years of service, they returned to Spokane, Washington and bought a home in the valley.
One day she was held up while working as a bank teller. She was able to discreetly press a silent alarm buzzer, but not before handing him $500-$1,000. The suspect was arrested later that day, and she became a headline in the Spokesman Review.
She later went on to become the Spokane & Eastern Branch of Seattle-First National Bank’s (now Bank of America) Assistant Manager to the tellers. She later retired in 1982 with 22 years of service.
Curly later became ill, and she cared for him at home.
In 1983 her grandchildren Sally and Michael Mark moved in with her and Curly. They adopted them in 1989.
Curly passed in 1997 at 78 years old.
Seven years later Ilabelle sold their home of 37 years and moved to the Holman Gardens Retirement Community with their beloved Maltese dog named “Dusty.”
While at Holman Gardens, she became well known by many of the residents as she was a lively and very active resident. She participated in many activities that included “Ladies in May” fashion shows, Halloween costume dress up, dressing up as “Elvis” for retirement parties, “Octoberfest” bake sales, etc.
She even became somewhat famous for her desire to have all of the residents of Holman Gardens proudly flying the American Flag from their balconies. The Spokesman Review once again wrote an article in their paper about her, this time calling her “The Flag Lady.” She was also given an “Honorary Award of Heroism” by the American Legion, Post 214, for her efforts.
She was a very healthy, active, happy, independent woman. She lived a very long and fulfilling life. She left us Thursday, March 8, 2018 at the age of 95 years old. She will be greatly missed by her friends and most of all her family that includes the following…
Son: Michael James Alderson
Daughter-In-Law: Kathy Alderson
Granddaughter: Sally (Alderson) Reynolds
Son-In-Law: Gordy Reynolds
Grandson: Michael Mark Alderson
Great Grandchildren: Samantha, Josh, Kaitlynn, and Hailey Reynolds
Matthew and Mason Alderson
Niece: Sue Rhoades
Nephew: Richard (Dick) Crutcher
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