IN MEMORIAM
- treasurer1408
- Dec 26, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 29, 2025
Ted Gatz 1926-2025
Sunday, October 26, 2025, Theodore “Ted” Gatz, 99, passed away. Ted was born on August 14, 1926, and grew up in Rainier Beach, Washington. After attending Franklin High School in Seattle, he joined the U.S. Navy during WWII. In 1949, Ted began his photography career working at Mariner’s Studio in Renton. Ted was a “gifted” photographer and later opened “Ted Gatz Photography” in Renton. He specialized in Portraiture, Wedding, and Commercial photography. He was the Renton High School senior class photographer in the 1960’s & 70’s.
Shirley Yvonne Custer (nee Bakken) was born in Valley City, North Dakota. She and her family moved to the Seattle area when Shirley was a young girl. She attended grade school and high school in Renton. After graduating from Renton High, Shirley attended the U. W.
Shirley remarried in 1966 to Bert Custer. She and Bert eventually retired to the Renton area and built a beautiful home on Renton Hill. Shirley spent 43 years in that home, where she entertained, nurtured, and loved her close and extended family until her death.
Bruce Phillips 1929-2025
Bruce Phillips, 95, of Renton, WA, passed away on October 27, 2025. He was born Dec. 29, 1929, in Yakima, WA. He graduated from Issaquah High School, where he met his wife, Marilyn Pringle. They were married for 75 years. Bruce joined the US Naval Reserve in 1947 and served on active duty during the Korean War. Bruce began his career with the Renton Fire Department in 1955 and retired as a Deputy Chief after 31 years in 1986. Bruce was known for his hunting and fishing days, especially with his family in Eastern Washington.
Ronald ‘Ron’ David Clymer 1939-2024
In memory of Ron, who was a humble, thoughtful, and soft-spoken man and a father that his children looked up to. His love for ALL of his family and his devotion to his many friends will live on.
Herbert L Postlewait 1940-2025
Born Nov 2, 1940 in Conrad, Montana and he left the world June 19, 2025. Graduate of Renton High School class of ‘58. Served in the US Navy 1958 to 1962.
Stephen Earl Clymer, 74, of Renton, WA, passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 16, 2025. Born on November 8, 1950, at Renton Hospital to Earl & Diane Clymer, Stephen grew up in Skyway and later Renton Hill. He attended Renton schools and graduated from Renton High School in 1969. He was proud that his grandchildren would be fifth-generation RHS graduates. Stephen earned an education degree from Seattle University and married Theresa Ann O’Brien on June 29, 1974. He began his career teaching third grade at Shadow Lake Elementary before exploring other ventures, including doughnut making and running Clymer’s
Antique Boutique in downtown Renton.
Lila Jean Tonda 1923-2025
Lila Jean Tonda passed away from natural causes at the age of 102, on February 11, 2025.
After graduation she was hired by Dr. Helperin and worked in the family clinic in downtown Renton. This is where she met Ernie Tonda. They were married in 1950 at Saint Anthony's church in Renton. She is survived by her son Todd, daughter Mary Ann, son-in-law John Coles, and her grandchildren, lan and Abby Coles.
Barbara Ann Magnuson (Mitchell) 1931-2025
Born April 30, 1931 in Seattle, WA, Barbara grew up in Renton. She graduated from
Renton High School in the class of ‘49. Barbara is survived by her husband, Waldo G. Magnuson, Jr., and her two children, Brett Douglas Magnuson (Nubis) of Bothell, WA, and Merrilee Ann Lane (James) of Spokane, WA. She passed away February 26, 2025.
Mario Tonda 1926-2024
Eleanor Bertagni 1931-2025
Margaret Louise Burkhalter 1928-2025
Daniel Edmond Holms 1942–2025 Renton High School Grad Class of 1960
Nancy Ann Carlson 1950-2025
Barbara Jean Nilson 1928-2025
Andy DeLeuw 1960-2025
Judy Nichols 1943-2025
Claudette Bergman 1936-2025
Patricia Ballestrasse 1942-2025
Would you like to view a PDF of the full, print newsletter? Please click on the Download image to the right, below.
