Walter Olaf Fransen

Walt lived a long, full life — a life lived well, kindly, honorably, and mercifully, and we are fortunate to have been part of his journey. There are many things we could say at this point, but he also did us the great honor of writing his own obituary. In Walter’s own words, we read:

“Walter was born in Astoria, Oregon, to Frank Fransen and Hilja Eskola Fransen on Nov. 13, 1923. He grew up in Astoria (Church Hill and Uniontown area), and always said it was a great place for kids to grow up. The Depression was at its peak, but everyone was in the same fix, and we all ate a lot of fish.

“Walter went to Capt. Robert Gray School and graduated from Astoria High School in 1942, just in time to enter the Navy in 1943. He said the years in the Navy were just as good as a college education. After boot camp and quartermaster school, he returned to Astoria to go aboard the CVE 85 — USS Shipley Bay, which was one of the escort carriers built in Portland. He served his whole hitch in the Pacific, and after the war ended, he went through the Panama Canal and brought a whole deck and below deck load of Japanese Zeros to Jacksonville, Florida. He then went on to Boston for decommissioning.

“Back in Astoria, in 1946, he did a little of this and that, and then began working as a longshoreman. He was a member of Local 50 ILWU in 1947, and later, after 20 years as a longshoreman, he transferred to ILWU Local 40 — Supercargoes and Checkers.

“On Feb. 13, 1950, he and Joean Kennedy were married in Pendleton, Oregon, her home town.

“He was not a too serious duck and big game hunter, but worked hard at clam digging and salmon and sturgeon fishing.

“In addition to his wife, Walter is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Bill and Katherine Fransen of Olympia, Washington, and Trygve and Kathy Fransen of Knappa, Oregon; and two daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Meryl Rickey of Prosser, Washington, and Katie and Scott Ryding of Astoria, Oregon.

“He also leaves 11 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. He enjoyed attending all of his grandchildren’s sporting events and celebrations.

“He had a good wife and a good life.”

His family wishes to add: As you might imagine, the Columbia River was a constant, ever-present part of his life journey. And so, we will honor his request to cast his ashes on the waves of the mighty Columbia — but prior to that event, we ask friends and family to join us as we celebrate the good person he was, and the great life he had.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church, in Astoria, on Monday, April 18, 2016, at 11 a.m., immediately followed by a reception at the Longshore Hall, in Astoria, Oregon.

Donations may be made in Walter’s memory to the Uniontown Association, the Astoria Rescue Mission, or the ILWU Scholarship Fund at Astoria High School.

May God’s peace rest upon him: Jumala Rauha