Obituary of Elmer Manthey Crispien

Elmer Crispien Elmer Crispien, a 34 year resident of Clark County, passed away on July 22, 2005 at the Ray Hickey Hospice House in Vancouver, WA. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Doris, his brother, William, of Portland, Or and sister, Louise Born of Milwaukie, Or.; daughters, Susan Gaffney of Washougal, WA, Evelyn Laughman of Astoria, OR and Karen Krueger of Seattle, WA; . sons, Donald Crispien of Bay City, MI and Larry Crispien of Hockinson, WA; grandchildren, Robert and Kevin Crispien of Bay City, MI.; Brian Gaffney of Washougal, WA; Jennifer Laughman of Seaside, OR, Robert and Rebekah Laughman of Astoria, OR; Amy and Shannon Crispien of Vancouver, WA and T. J. Crispien of Seattle, WA; Kenton Krueger, of Seattle; one great grandchild, Adriana Crispien of Bay City, MI; numerous nieces and nephews ft many dear friends. Elmer was born August 12, 1908, in Newberg, OR., the first child of Anna Manthey Crispien and William August Crispien. He moved with his parents & siblings from Rose Lodge, OR, to a farm at Cape Horn, WA in 1919. He helped his parents with farm work while attending grade school and later, after his father died, in 1936, ran the farm by himself. He worked for awhile on the Washington side of Bonneville Dam on the clean up crew. He helped farmers in the Cape Horn area with plowing and tractor work. He married Doris Cree on May 2, 1942. At that time, he was working for a Soil Conservation Program through the Government. In 1948 he ran a Grade A Dairy, which was among the first in Skamania Co. Elmer & Doris lived 28 years at Cape Horn, WA and after quitting the Dairy business, moved into Washougal, WA. While at Cape Horn & Washougal, he always took pride in his vegetable and flower gardens. They lived in Washougal 33 years, until health problems made it necessary to move into an assisted Living facility in Vancouver, WA.. A member of Zion Lutheran Church since 1938, his church family meant a lot to him. Besides the church, other interests were the Senior Nutrition and Activity Program in Washougal, where he enjoyed playing Bingo and visiting with our SNAP family. Later, at Fisher's Landing, he enjoyed going on scenic drives with the Activity Director, playing Bingo with the ladies who helped him, going to Ice Cream Socials, attending Church services and listening to the entertainers who played for us in the Lobby at Fisher's Landing ALF. During his life-time, he did something he had always wanted to do-- have us take a trip to Alaska. His family & friends gave him much joy. Every Christmas for 10 years, dinner with the Boldt family was such a pleasure. Thanksgiving with Larry & Sandy & Christmas Eve with Susan and Brian, visits with son and family from MI & other family members was very meaningful. He loved music by his granddaughter, Shannon, niece, Cyndy Gerdes, nephew, Chuck Hinthorne, daughter-in-law, Sandy Crispien and by his daughter, Susan. She played ''Sweet Hour of Prayer'' for him many times during the last days. After his 2nd heart attack, he lived at the Ray Hickey Hospice House. Every day, either a family member or a friend would visit him . During the last week, someone was there day and night. Doris was there twice a day the last 2 days and there to hold his hand before his passing. Two days before, he had said on the phone: ?we?ll be together again? and Doris assured him, ?Yes we will.? The funeral service will be Thursday, July 28 at 11am at the Zion Lutheran Church in Camas. Burial will follow at the Washougal Memorial Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday from 10am to 5pm at Straub?s Funeral Home in Camas. To sign the online guest book or to send condolences visit www.straubsfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be given to the Zion Lutheran Building Fund @ 824 NE 4th Ave., Camas, WA 98607 or the Ray Hickey Hospice House @ 2112 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, WA 98661. Lunch will follow the graveside service at Zion?s Social Hall. Straub?s Funeral Home in Camas is in charge of the arrangements.