Earl Border
May 25, 1931 - February 21, 2015
Earl Won't Be There For Coffee Today...
Earl said many times all he wanted his obituary to say was "Earl won't be there for coffee today," but that is not enough to say for the special man Earl was. He will be so missed at Monday breakfast with Gordy, Monday afternoon coffee at Haggens with the "gang" from Bethany Covenant Church, Wednesday night dish washing at the Bethany community dinner, as a monthly Sunday morning greeter at the church, and Dine with Nine friends. The list could go on with the impact he made wherever he went without his even being aware of it.
He was an encourager and a man of prayer. His morning did not get started without devotions and prayer to God who was with him every step of the way through the good and the bad times.
Earl was a man of deep faith and sincere compassion. He had his "regulars" whom he called every single day - his daughter Wanda, his son Wayne, his 91-year-old sister Gail in Wisconsin, his long-time friend Christina, and several other friends here in the Valley. His day was not complete until he had talked to them and many times prayed with them.
Earl was born on April 25, 1931. He was named Earl after his grandmother's brother, his early years were spent in Sugar Creek Township, Wisconsin and at age thirteen moved to Spring Prairie, Wisconsin. Where he worked on a 60 cow dairy farm. He took over the operation of the farm when he was fourteen after his father's heart attacks. Earl worked hard and brought the farm to a Class A dairy standing. Ten years later his father sold the farm.
Earl married Alice Vant on June 1, 1952 where Wayne Keith was born, Earl heard the call of "Go West, young man", gathered his small family by that time and settled in San Jose, California, where Wanda was born. He quickly found work in a lumber yard and then went to work for a steel company where he became a maintenance foreman. During the 1960's Earl, Alice and the kids served as short term missionaries in Unalakleet and Nome Alaska with the Covenant Church.
After 20 years, when the apricot and olive groves were being burned to make way for housing for the influx of people, Earl once again felt the need to move to a more peaceful setting. His son by that time was in the Northwest attending college. He and Alice found the perfect place on Prairie Road, north of Sedro Woolley, Washington, where he could have his flower gardens and a few beef cattle. Earl was a man "of the soil" and always loved working the land.
Unfortunately, within a few years Alice died very young of colon cancer. Later Earl married Muriel Jones and together they owned and operated a bridal and florist shop. After some years Muriel passed away too.
Three years ago he met a lady in his neighborhood, Arliss Abbott, who became his best friend. Their devotion to each other was a special bond - a joy and a blessing which they hoped would continue for many more years. All too soon it was not to be, but those years were precious. Earl died on February 21, 2015 after a short illness.
Earl is survived by Son Wayne Border and spouse Diane and Daughter Wanda and spouse David Anselment , five grandchildren, five great grandchildren, sister Gail Meyer and brother Richard Border.
FUNERAL INFORMATION
An informal coffee hour a celebration of Earl's life will be held Friday, February 27, 2015 2:00pm at Bethany Covenant Church, 1318 S. 18th Street, Mt. Vernon, Washington. Earl's favorite donuts will be served. Please come and bring your special memories of him.
DONATIONS
If you choose In lieu of flowers a non-profit that Earl spent many hours doing volunteer work and was close to his heart was Clothes for Kids, a nonprofit that provides a full school wardrobe.
Please contact Clothes For Kids at 425-741-6500 or e-mail us at office@clothesforkids.org. Physical & Mailing Address: 16725 52nd Ave West, Suite B Lynnwood, WA 98037