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Archive for the ‘In Memorium’ Category

Make a moment for Marlene!!

Posted in Girls Basketball, In Memorium, tagged , , , , on December 9, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Marlene Grasser with her great niece. (Photo courtesy Ashley Heilig)

Marlene Grasser with her great niece, Mia. (Photos courtesy Ashley Heilig)

A sensational athlete and a better person.

A sensational athlete and a better person.

Coupeville High School will pay tribute to Marlene Grasser during tonight’s basketball doubleheader.

The Wolves are scheduled to play Orcas Island, with the girls varsity game at 3:30, followed by the boys at 5.

Grasser, a two-time CHS Female Athlete of the Year and one of the most beloved, influential athletes to ever wear a Coupeville uniform, passed away this week after a two-year battle with cancer.

A 1987 grad, she was 46.

During her days as a Wolf, Grasser starred in volleyball, basketball, softball and track, then went on to play volleyball in college.

She was inducted into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame in a class that included three of her contemporaries, Jennie (Cross) Prince, Aimee (Messner) Bishop and Sherry (Bonacci) Roberts, as well as brother-in-law Ron Bagby.

Grasser was that rarity, an athlete who influenced generations of other athletes in her home town, and will continue to do so.

A little taste of the vast outpouring of love which has been directed to her family:

Sherry (Bonacci) Roberts):

Marlene was my athletic role model. She was such an amazing and gifted athlete and one of the nicest people ever.

She always helped me and encouraged me to strive for excellence and become the best I could be.

Emily (Vracin) Kosderka:

Growing up, I admired Marlene SO MUCH–I wanted to be her.

I didn’t even really get to know her, but she was a stud female athlete and a great person — that was enough for me.

I’m so sorry to hear this news and my thoughts and prayers go out to all of her family and friends.

Joli (Smith) Bartell:

This breaks my heart. I think I was about in junior high when I started growing a huge love of playing sports thanks to a few people I watched and looked up to, including Marlene Grasser.

I am pretty sure she was my babysitter when I was little!

I will never forget that name when I think of the greats in CHS sports.

My thoughts and prayers to her friends and family.

Suzan Georges:

I will share this with my 10 year old who has played in the SWISH team for two years now.

Our condolences and prayers go out to all the family!

Her memory and words will live on through Coupeville’s future athletes.

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Embrace Marlene Grasser’s legacy, every day

Posted in In Memorium, tagged , , , on December 6, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Marlene Grasser and husband Jim. (Photo courtesy Marlene Grasser)

Marlene Grasser and husband Jim. (Photo courtesy Grasser family)

The enforcers at work. (Photo courtesy Sherry Roberts)

The enforcers at work. (Photo courtesy Sherry Roberts)

This weekend has been punctuated with unbelievable highs and unbelievable lows in Wolf Nation.

Friday and Saturday the Coupeville High School girls’ basketball squad, playing a true team game where every player mattered, where every young woman contributed, soared to new heights.

The Wolves won the Friday Harbor Tip-Off Classic, and the joy that emanated from every photo was about far more than just winning a couple of basketball games.

Those nine young women, who range from a precocious freshman to a wise senior, will remember this weekend long after their hoops careers end.

For the wins, yes. For the title, certainly.

But when the games end and real life begins, it will be the moments they had together, on the court, in the hotel room, on the bus, that will stay with them.

They will remember the shots they made, the defensive assignments they nailed, but they will also remember a moment in the locker room when, arms interlocked, they bounced and screamed as one.

“Who are we? WOLVES!!” “What are we? CHAMPIONS!!!”

They will remember the look in each others eyes at that moment, the sisterhood they had then and will have forever.

Years from now, they will be able to look back and tell their own daughters and sons about it.

It will be a part of their life, a slice of pure joy, for all their days.

And that is an important thing to remember tonight, as word filters out that Marlene Grasser, one of the most accomplished athletes in Coupeville history, has passed away after a battle with cancer.

The 1987 CHS grad was a four-sport star, a dominant athlete who was beloved by those she played with and against.

In an interview two years ago, when I was forcing her to look back on her prep exploits (she finally said yes, because she didn’t want to disappoint close friend and former teammate Sherry (Bonacci) Roberts) Marlene downplayed her records.

What she remembered, what she embraced, years later, was this:

I don’t remember awards, but do remember the fantastic experiences with my teammates.

My best memories are all involving team sports. I looked forward to practices every day and the games were a blast.

I loved my teammates and our mutual competitiveness and cohesiveness.

It is probably what I miss the most and was the hardest to let go of when I graduated.

I hope every current and future athlete in this town really listens to what Marlene said.

And I hope that they are able, every one of them, to embrace her words, live them and look back years later and feel exactly the same that she did.

This weekend is full of great joy. It is full of deep sadness.

A team ascended, a legend departed.

Two stories interwoven by a town, a sport and the heart and soul displayed by young women in different decades.

Grasser would have been proud of this edition of the Wolves and what they have attained, and what they will attain.

She would have loved seeing a team that includes Lindsey Roberts, the daughter of her one-time running mate, playing just like she and Sherry did back in the day.

And every one of those nine young women should be proud to wear the same uniform Grasser once did.

Marlene will be greatly missed, but her spirit will live on, and it will be reflected best every time another young woman steps onto a basketball court and embraces the joy she exhibited every day, every game.

The joy of playing. Of competing. Of walking side-by-side onto the court with friends and walking off with sisters.

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God bless the farmer!!

Posted in A freakin' American hero, In Memorium, tagged , , , , , on November 5, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Bob Engle

Bob Engle

Coupeville was built by farmers.

Bob Engle, who passed away last week, spent all but six months of his 74 years in his hometown, working the land.

The only thing that took him away from Cow Town was military service, when he stepped up and did his duty honorably.

Mr. Engle’s family roots run as deep as anyone and the community will have a chance to honor his life, his family, his work and his enduring legacy Saturday, Nov. 14.

Graveside services will be held at Sunnyside Cemetery at 1 PM, with a tractor/big rig processional starting from the old Lumberman’s (behind Prairie Center) at 12:30.

Those wishing to be part of the tribute should arrive between 12-12:30.

Only fellow prairie legend Dale Sherman is allowed a yellow tractor.

There will be a reception/gathering at the Coupeville High School commons following the graveside service.

Mr. Engle’s obit, created by Wallin Funeral Home:

Robert Alan “Bob” Engle died on October 31, 2015 at Whidbey General Hospital at the age of 74.

Bob was born on October 1, 1941 at the Polly Harpole Maternity Home in Coupeville, to Robert E. and Iris I. (Minahan) Engle.

Bob lived his entire life in Coupeville, except for the six months he was stationed at Ft. Knox, Kentucky.

Bob attended Coupeville High School and graduated in the Class of 1959.

Bob was a farmer all of his life and proud to call himself a farmer.

He started working the family farm as a young boy. At the age of 14, he joined his father and brother Len, forming Robert Engle and Sons Farm.

Bob became the fourth generation farmer to work the family farm that was begun by his great grandfather W.B. Engle and was carried on by his grandfather Carl T. Engle and his father, Robert E. Engle.

Bob was called to active duty with the U.S. Army in 1964 and was honorably discharged six years later after serving his country in the Army Reserves.

Upon completion of Basic Training in Kentucky, Bob returned to Coupeville via a cross-country road trip with his soon-to- be fiancé and in-laws.

Bob proposed to Cheryl Sherman in Pierre, South Dakota.

He then returned to work on the farm; on June 25, 1966, he and Cheryl were married, bringing together two of the largest farm families on the Prairie.

Bob was committed to farming, but he was always ready to lend a hand to anyone.

Whether it was helping with the Methodist Church addition or taking in cattle from the Skagit Valley when the farms were flooded, he was there to support his community.

Bob loved tractors, big trucks, anything John Deere and country music, but most important to him, was his family.

Bob Engle is survived by his wife Cheryl of 49 ½ years, by three children and their spouses: Robert W. and Mary Engle and grandchildren Justin and Harley Engle of Coupeville, Donna and Russell Bailey Jr. and granddaughters McKayla, McKenzie and Mollie, also of Coupeville and Bonnie and Scott Bennett and granddaughter Sydnie of Orange, CA. and by his siblings and their spouses: Jim and Joyce Engle of Pt. Townsend, Len and Terri Engle of Coupeville, Ellen Derkland of Burlington and Jan and Dan Olson of Mt. Vernon.

Numerous nieces and nephews and a wealth of cousins also survive.

Bob was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Iris Engle, his father and mother-in-law Wilbur and Grace Sherman and three brothers-in-law, Edward Morgan (Susan), Roger Purdue (Sara) and Don Derkland (Ellen).

Graveside funeral services will be held at Sunnyside Cemetery, Coupeville on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at 1:00 PM with Rev. David Engle and Rev. Jin Ming Ma officiating.

A tractor procession will begin at 12:30 at the lumber yard behind Red Apple Market. Friends of Bob are invited to join the procession with their tractor or truck.

A Celebration of Life and reception will follow at the Coupeville High School Commons with Gary Wallin, Life Celebrant officiating.

Please visit Bob’s page in the Book of  Memories at www.wallinfuneralhome.com to share memories and condolences.

Memorials may be made to Island County 4-H in Bob’s name.

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“God needed a farmer”

Posted in In Memorium, tagged , , , , , on November 1, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Bob Engle

Bob Engle

God bless the farmers.

They built this town and it is their legacy that makes Coupeville what it is today.

It’s a Sunday afternoon and time for the 19th class to be inducted into the Coupeville Sports Hall o’ Fame, but I want to take a detour.

It is only a small tribute to a mountain of a man, but today, as his family, friends and community mourn his passing, I am inducting Bob Engle.

He and his wife, Cheryl, were among the first to support my efforts with this blog.

Their check was appreciated, but, even more so, the note of encouragement that came with it will always mean a lot to me.

It hangs on the wall above my computer where I write my ramblings.

I like to think it, along with the other letters, notes and words it sits among, guide me as I go forward, trying to honor Coupeville’s past while celebrating the new memories, sports and otherwise, which are being crafted here each day.

Mr. Engle was a throw-back to a time when you worked hard and you worked every day, but you always had time for your family.

He was related to 99.2% of the town (or at least it feels that way) and a quick glimpse at Facebook shows his impact — both on his relatives and those who he made feel like they were part of his family.

His wife is one of the most genuinely sweet people I have ever met, and that carried down through their children and grandchildren.

There wouldn’t be a Coupeville Sports, or a need for one, without the trio of McKayla, McKenzie and Mollie Bailey — my photo bomb queens #1, #2 and #3 — and I know every time we ran a photo of them, every time they fired a fastball or put away a kill, their grandpa smiled.

Bob Engle’s life touched every part of Cow Town. He made us a better town for his presence, for his dedication, his hard work and love for the land and his neighbors.

It is an honor to add him to my silly little Hall, but he never needed that.

He was already in all of our hearts, and that will remain true forever.

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“Welcome to Zenovia Barron Court!!”

Posted in Girls Basketball, In Memorium, tagged , , , , , on August 3, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Presto, the CHS gym looks so new and fresh. (Scott Losey photos)

   New bleachers are in, now we need a new name for the CHS basketball court. (Scott Losey photo)

Zenovia Barron (Photo courtesy Devyn Barron Nixon)

Zenovia Barron (Photo courtesy Devyn Barron Nixon)

Coupeville High School has never been in a hurry to name its athletic fields or buildings after people.

Some towns, they go wild.

In Cow Town, we take our sweet time.

Unless I’m missing something, the only sports-related areas at the school named in memory of people are the football field, named for local historian Mickey Clark, and the baseball field, named for Robert W. Sherman.

If you know Sherman was a 16-year-old Wolf baseball player who died in 1954 after being hit by a pitch in a game, you’re one of about three people.

Both honors are well-deserved, even if few modern-day fans have any clue who either man was.

What I propose is we welcome a third member to this exclusive group.

I challenge the Coupeville School Board to step up and name the CHS basketball court in memory of Zenovia Barron.

And to do it in time for a dedication before or during the next basketball season.

Novi, and there is no argument on this point, was the best hoops player, girl or boy, to ever pull on a Wolf jersey.

End of story.

In the words of her coach, Willie Smith:

“Dynamic, electrifying, amazing, once in a lifetime talent. Those are some of the words I’d use to describe Novi.

She had everything: she could drive, shoot the three, post up, play defense, rebound, dish the rock; whatever could be done on a court she could do it like it was second nature.

She was the most complete player I ever got to coach and I coached some good ones.

My kids loved her, her little girls basketball teams loved her, and her teammates loved and respected her.”

Novi was also one of the few CHS athletic stars who went on to make a truly notable impact playing college sports.

Her name still appears six times in the record book at the College of Southern Idaho.

She is 5th all-time in CSI womens’ basketball history for assists per game (3.7) and 10th all-time for career free throw percentage (.753).

Barron still owns the sixth-best single-season performance in program history for both steals (90) and assists (130) and remains tied for the best-ever single game effort at the charity stripe, hitting all six of her free throws Jan 8, 1999 against the College of Eastern Utah.

When she left the Eagles, her nine steals in one game — March 5, 1999 against Utah Valley State College — stood as the school record.

It wasn’t until 2005 that she was edged out by a 10-steal performance, but Novi remains 2nd in school history.

Last year, when the Coupeville girls’ hoops squad claimed its first league title in 13 years, rolling through the 1A Olympic League like a buzz-saw, it would have been beautiful if Zenovia could have been in the stands like former Wolf teammates like Tina (Lyness) Joiner and Ashley (Ellsworth-Bagby) Heilig.

As we all marvel at Makana Stone, our current hoops sensation, it would have been interesting to see what the GOAT would have made of one of the few who have made a legitimate run at her legacy.

But, it’s not to be.

Zenovia left too early, and her unexpected death, at age 24 in 2003, deeply affected everyone who knew her, who loved her, who were dazzled by her play and her soaring spirit.

But, while she can’t be there in person, Miss Barron can be there in spirit as Makana leads the defending champs onto the floor this winter.

When the pre-game music kicks in and T.I. implores local fans to “Bring ’em out, bring ’em out,” the modern-day Wolves should charge onto a court named for the transcendent young woman who showed us all how high Coupeville players can fly.

It is time. It is right.

When the announcer picks up the mic, this is what I want to hear: “Ladies and gentlemen, and hoops fans of all ages, welcome to Zenovia Barron Court!”

 

Agree? Jump over and sign our petition, then share it on Facebook and Twitter. The more signatures, the bigger the impact when we take this to the School Board.

https://www.change.org/p/coupeville-school-board-name-the-chs-basketball-court-for-zenovia-barron

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