Ella Bolstad

Ella May Bolstad, 97, of Panorama Retirement Community, Lacey, WA passed away peacefully in Lacey at the Panorama Convalescent and Rehabilitation Center on Saturday evening, December 30, 2017. She had celebrated her 97th birthday ten days before. Ella was born December 20, 1920 in Hoquiam, WA to Henry George and Minnie Pearl (Gower) Hoffman. In 1923 she moved with her family to Selah where her family had a small fruit orchard and then they returned to Montesano, WA in 1926 until 1934 when she graduated from the 8th grade. The family then moved to Grand Coulee, WA where she graduated from Grand Coulee High School in 1938. She then attended Kinman Business University in Spokane, WA and during school began working as an assistant secretary to Louis Davenport of the Davenport Hotel in Spokane from 1938 until 1941 when she returned to Seattle and began working for Shell Oil Company. She met and married Roy Lee Rodgers in Seattle. Roy was in the U.S. Air Force and stationed in Anchorage, Alaska where they moved in 1945. Their first daughter, JoAnn Marie, was born on May 9, 1946 in Anchorage. After his military service in 1947 they moved to Cowiche, WA where Ella, Roy and her parents operated a cigar/grocery store for 18 months. They returned to Seattle in July 1948 where her second daughter, Judy Kay Rodgers was born on August 4, 1948. She began a career as an administrative asssitant in finance and investment, retiring from Safeco in the early 1980s. She was preceded in death by her husband Roy on March 17, 1961. Ella married Eugene Henry Bolstad in Seattle on December 24, 1969. Upon their retirements they moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1989. They returned to the Pacific Northwest in 2001 and lived in the Panorama Retirement Community until her death. Eugene preceded her in death on May 14, 2005. She was an elegant and classy lady in appearance and manners who loved to dress well, always wearing jewelry and having her hair fixed. Ella traveled throughout the world and and the United States, having been to all 50 states. An avid hiker, she hiked into her 90s. When she lived in Tucson, AZ she and her husband, Gene, were active in several square dance groups and were known for their dancing, whether ballroom dancing or square dancing. She never missed an opportunity to play bridge and other card games. She knew how to love life and was an inspiration to many, making every opportunity to try new things. She went on a hot air balloon ride for her 90th birthday and this past August rode a 4 wheeler at Lake Coeur d’Alene, ID at the home of Tom’s sister and her husband, Mary Beth and Jim Wright. She was a careful and safe driver until May of this past year. She enjoyed being with family at all times and at Christmas she loved to put together puzzles with her great grandchildren. A dedicated mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she will leave behind a strong legacy of family and love. Ella was preceded in death by both of her husbands, her two daughters, JoAnn Marie (Tom) Sund in 1980 and Judy Kay Rodgers in 1999; a brother, William George Hoffman in 2001; a grandson, Denny Lane Sund in 2016 and a great grandson, Spencer Thomas Payne in 2005. She is survived by her son-in-law, Tom Sund of Yakima; three grandchildren, Mrs. Chris (Lissa Kay Sund) Payne of Seattle, Todd Palmer of Tacoma, and Jeff Palmer. Also surviving are four great grandchildren, Shianne Kay Palmer of Rochester, WA; Ella Marie, Lila Mae and Hutson John Payne of Seattle. At her request no services will be held. Private inurnment will be at Terrace Heights Memorial Park. Arrangements are by Valley Hills Funeral Home. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Ella Bolstad, please visit our flower store.