Frank Clem

Frank L. Clem, Jr. August 8, 1919 – May 28, 2015 While surrounded by his family praying the rosary, Frank L. Clem, 95, peacefully joined our eternal Father. The last couple of years, Frank suffered bravely from several diseases and ailments. His positive attitude during this time and his constant faith in the Lord gave strength to family and friends. Frank was born in Miles City, Montana, to Frank and Nellie (Van Houten) Clem, Sr. Searching for a better way of life, Frank Sr. moved his family several times. When Frank Jr. was nine months old, the family moved to Iowa. At six years old, the family moved to Spokane, Washington. From there, they moved to Yakima where Frank’s dad ran a dairy farm and maintained an orchard. At the age of seven, young Frank was milking cows at 4 a.m. and after school. His outstanding work ethics began at an early age. Despite long working hours, he excelled in school. During the Great Depression, the family moved to Waterville where they stayed for several years. His success in school continued. He turned out for the baseball and football teams. In the summers, he worked in the orchards and wheat fields to help earn money for the family. He rarely had any free time. As his senior year of high school approached, another move was made to Spokane. Frank graduated from West Valley High School. Not long after, he and his dad worked on Grand Coulee Dam. From there, Frank attended Eastern Washington State College in Cheney. He thoroughly enjoyed school, but his family was on the move again to earn a living. They worked on Mud Mountain Dam near Enumclaw, Washington. During this time, Frank enrolled in a vocational school to learn the trade of welding. His highly-trained skills were soon to be recognized. It was in Enumclaw where Frank met Vera Guggenbickler who became his beloved wife for 73 years. When asked by his children why he didn’t return to college, his answer was simple and direct: “I met your mother.” Vera and Frank were married in October 1941. In less than two months, the United States entered World War II. Due to back injuries, branches of the service would not accept him. Eager to contribute to the war effort, Frank worked as a welder in the Kirkland shipyards helping to build ships and training new welding recruits. After the war, Frank and Vera moved to Enumclaw where they raised four children. Frank and his brother-in-law, Art Guggenbickler, opened and operated a shake mill. Eventually, Art moved his family to California. Frank went to work for Weyerhaeuser as a combination welder. Whenever there was a breakdown, it was Frank who was called. He often worked weekends and some evenings. When time permitted, Frank also taught an evening welding class at Enumclaw High School. His children witnessed what it meant to be dedicated to one’s job, why it was important, and that one must always do the best job possible. Frank enjoyed bird hunting in eastern Washington with Vera in the early years of their marriage. In later years, he said they were too pretty to shoot, and he simply went out for the walk. He also went fishing whenever possible. Frank was interested in sports such as baseball, football, and college basketball. When his sons were old enough, Frank coached Little League Baseball. His philosophy was to teach the basics and to have fun. Everyone on the bench played no matter what the score or situation. His love for the game was passed on to his sons and grandsons. Nothing gave him more pleasure than to watch them play through their youth league, high school, and college years. Later in life through use of his computer, he especially enjoyed listening to the radio broadcasts of his grandsons’ games as they progressed through their college and professional careers. Also, Frank was appreciative that many of the players he coached stopped by the house throughout the years to “catch up.” His mentoring and caring attitude will be greatly missed by friends and family. Frank was an outstanding bridge player. When Macular Degeneration left him practically blind in his eighties, many of his favorite activities, including playing a variety of card games with his family and friends, reading, solving crossword puzzles, watching sporting events including the Mariners and Seahawks games, as well as his old-time favorite movies, came to an end. Frank was accepting of life’s changes. When asked what he enjoyed most out of life, he responded, “Raising our children together.” Frank is survived by his wife, Vera, his daughters Carole (Tim) Sfondouris of Greece, Patricia (Dwight) Teitzel of Moses Lake, and his sons Jim (Annette) Clem of Burlington, and Jess Clem of Moses Lake; grandchildren— George (Rena), Angela, and Frank Sfondouris and Zachary and Jacob Clem as well as many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Nellie Clem and his three sisters Bernice, Eloise, and Nora. Services will be held at our Lady of Fatima church on Saturday, June 27. Rosary will begin at 1:30 p.m. followed by the Funeral Service at 2 p.m. Arrangements are in care of Kayser’s Chapel & Crematory. The family would like to give a “shout out” to the nurses and staff at Samaritan Hospital for taking excellent care of dad.

Frank Clem

August 8, 1919 - May 28, 2015