onburke.html

The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., June 30, 1994, page 18

NONDIS BURKELL

Nondis Burkell, a former Trout Lake resident, died in Seattle on June 10, 1994, at the age of 77.
Mrs. Burkell was born April 12, 1917 in Jenkins, Mo. Her family moved to Pasco in 1926, where she attended high school and graduated with honors as class valedictorian. It was here that she met Tom her husband-to-be at a local dance.
They were married Nov. 25, 1929, in Trout Lake. Both worked with the forest service until World War II called Mr. Burkell to action. Mrs. Burkell took over her husband's job plotting fires and dispatching crews. Between the two of them, they saved enough money to build "Tommy's Service".
The couple moved to Renton and in 1961 purchased the Seabeck general Store. They retired in 1976.
Mrs. Burkell is survived by her children Tom and Shawn Copeland, Bremerton, Ron and Beth, Seattle; Wanda Coffee, Cle Elum, Bonnie Cook, Renton, and Shirley Hamlin, Edmonds; sisters-in-law Rose and Virgil Haddock, Yacolt, and Rose and Eldon Bowers, Winlock; adopted sister Eulalia Brand, Mississippi. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom, four months ago.
Graveside services were held Saturday, June 25, 1994, at the Trout Lake Cemetery. Contributions may be made to the Trout Lake Cemetery Fund.

The Bremerton Sun, Bremerton, WA., June 15, 1994, page C2

BURKELL, NONDIS M. Surrounding herself with family and loved ones, Nondis Burkell died courageously and peacefully June 10, 1994 at the age of 77.
Beloved mother and good friend to many, Nondis died just four months after her husband, Tom, following, their marriage of 55 years. She is survived by oldest son, Tom, & Shawn Copeland, Bremerton; son, Ron & wife, Beth, Seattle; sister, Wanda & Bob Coffee, Cle Elum; sister, Bonnie Cook, Renton; sister, Shirley & Larry Hamlin, Edmonds; sister-in-law, Rose & Virgil Haddock, Yacolt; sister-in-law, Rose & Eldon Bowers, Winlock; adopted sister, Eulalia Brand, Mississippi; & her special friends from Seabeck, Kitsap Lake, Trout Lake & greater Seattle.
Friends were a gift that Nondis gave to herself and then cherished for a lifetime. Their ages didn't matter, but they had to have good hearts. And it certainly helped if they had practical experience working with the telephone.
Over the years, Nondis developed a love for bluegrass and country music and she tuned in the Nashville network regularly. She also spent many hours in the adoration of the tiny hummingbirds which visited her feeders. But her grand passion was her family, especially the time and effort put forth in the preparation of meal after sumptuous meal at special gatherings and holidays. Cooking was her bliss and she derived as much pleasure in preparing these feasts as her family did in partaking of them.
Nondis was born April 12, 1917, in Jenkins, MO. Her family moved to Pasco in 1926, and then to Goldendale in 1931 where she attended high school and graduated with honors as her class valedictorian. It was here, also, that she met Tom, her husband-to-be, at a local dance.
Nondis and Tom were married Nov. 25, 1939, in Trout Lake. Both enjoyed jobs with the forest service until World War II called Tom to action in 1942. Nondis immediately seized the opportunity and took over Tom's higher paying job plotting fires and dispatching crews. Between the two of them, they saved enough money to build "Tommy's Service", a gasoline and service station.
They celebrated the births of sons, Tom and Ron, in the early 50s, and moved on to Renton to raise their family. In 1961, Nondis and Tom purchased the Seabeck General Store where they worked side-by-side for many years, making many good friends along the way. They finally retired in 1976 and Nondis spent most of her time planning family occasions, making each one a little more special than the last.
Graveside services are scheduled for noon, June 25, at the Trout Lake Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to either the Silverdale or Bremerton Fire Departments.