Virginia Myrl Holm Estoos

Virginia Myrl Holm Estoos, 96, of Brownsmead, died Friday, Nov. 2, 2012, in Brownsmead.

She was born July 28, 1916, in Astoria, to Capt. Ivan Holm and Dora (Haslam) Holm. Her mother came by boat to Astoria from Naselle, Wash., to give birth.

Raised in Naselle, she graduated at the age of 16 with the Class of 1933. During the Depression, her advanced education was postponed until her mother opened enough oysters to fund her years at Western Washington Normal School in Bellingham, Wash.

On June 14, 1942, she married Daryl Andrew Loren Estoos (DALE), at her parents’ home. He preceded her in death. The couple moved into their unfinished house in Brownsmead that had no doors, windows or running water. In 1958, they moved to a larger house on the hill where she lived the rest of her life.

Mrs. Estoos taught at schools in Camas, Wash., and Naselle. She also was a partner in the family business, Pacific Oyster Company in Bay Center, Wash. In 1947, she and her mother purchased a beach house in Long Beach, Wash., which the family continues to use.

She was very busy in many local activities, including the Brownsmead Grange, Home Extension, anything involving Immanuel Lutheran Church, where she started a senior citizens luncheon, PTA and “Ladies Aid.” When her children left home, she was asked to teach the local cooperative preschool, which she did for 14 years. She visited the Clatsop Care Center weekly to attend their church service and serve home-baked treats. She was a member of Bethany Free Lutheran Church.

Family members said Christian education, sewing and cooking were some of her most loved activities. She spent many hours writing and sending encouraging notes to the homebound, ill or lonely people. Her ability to sing all of the verses of every hymn continued until recently, and her capacity to remember scripture remained almost until the day of her death. She loved spending time with her family.

She is survived by four daughters and two sons-in-law, Nancy and Bill Maki of Pierce, Idaho, Nora Jean Estoos and Linda Dale Takalo of Brownsmead and Ann and Ralph Peitsch of Svensen; a son and daughter-in-law, Ivan John and Barbara Estoos of Knappa; 12 grandchildren, Elaine Maki-Cook, Melinda Maki Davidson, Joe, Andrew, Rachel and Timothy Peitsch, Carol Peitsch Kahn, Melissa and Todd Takalo, Katrina Takalo Morris, and Chris and Bryan Estoos; 18 great-grandchildren, Kirsten and Annika Cook, Allison Davidson, Michael, Nora and Henry Peitsch, Patrick and Bridget Kahn, Ella, Moses and Oskar Finney, Cari Knapp, Dale and Eli Takalo, Ole and Trigve Morris and Ivan and Lila Estoos.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Forrest Holm; a granddaughter, Debra Ann Peitsch; and a son-in-law, Alan Takalo.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Greenwood Cemetery, followed by a memorial at 1 p.m. at Bethany Free Lutheran Church, then a reception.

Memorial contributions may be made to Bethany Free Lutheran Church, 451 34th St., Astoria, OR 97103 or Lower Columbia Hospice, 486 12th St., Astoria, OR 97103.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com