Lloyd Gausta, 88

Lloyd Tove Gausta of Gig Harbor died Feb. 3, 2007 in Gig Harbor. He was 88.

Gausta was born to Albert and Inga Gausta in Poulsbo on May 11, 1918.

Gausta married Mary Winter in 1944.

He graduated from high school in Everett, where he was raised by his aunt and uncle Lew and Mildred Watson.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1937, serving in World War II and the Korean War. During his 21 years of military service, he attained the rank of commander and received a Letter of Commendation from the Chief of Naval Operations and the Director of the National Security Agency.

After the Korean War, Gausta went to work at Puget Sound Plywood Cooperative in Tacoma, where he held various positions including board member and corporate secretary.

Gausta enjoyed woodworking, bowling, fishing, playing cards and spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife Mary Gausta of Gig Harbor; daughters Darlene (Pollard) Dickson of North Bonneville; Jeanne (Carl) Campen of Gig Harbor and Marianne (Dave) Altenburg of Dillon, Mont.; brother Chet Gausta of Poulsbo; sister Gloria Schwab of Oregon City, Ore.; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Gausta’s wish was to buried at sea by the Navy. A celebration of his life was held on Feb. 17 in Gig Harbor.