Donald K. Vondersmith, 78

Donald K. Vondersmith (Don) died on Oct. 4.

Vondersmith was born on Jan. 28, 1930, in Grand Forks, N.D. to Mabel and Keith Vondersmith. He attended school in North Dakota and in Poulsbo; he graduated from North Kitsap High in Poulsbo in 1948. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, he settled back in North Dakota where he met the love of his life, Rusty. They married on April 15, 1955, in Northwood, N.D.

In the spring of 1960, Vondersmith went to Ketchikan, Ala., to work for Boyer Towing Company. His wife and their two children, Laura and Aaron, joined him there in August 1960. Vondersmith continued to work for Boyer Towing until 1963 when he went to work for Ketchikan Pulp Company where he continued to work until his retirement in 1989. Two more children, Holly and Jason joined the family along the way.

After his retirement from Ketchikan Pulp, Vondersmith spent his retirement fishing and traveling with Rusty in their travel trailer. He lost Rusty in October 2006 to cancer. After living in Ketchikan for 48 years, he sold the home they built together in 2007 and moved to Poulsbo where he lived until his death.

In addition to his wife Rusty, Vondersmith was preceded in death by his father Keith Vondersmith, mother and stepfather Mabel and Bill Adams, sister Beverly Carmody, and nephew Dennis Vondersmith. He is survived by his children Laura (Mike) Wood, Aaron (Amy) Vondersmith, Holly Cloudy and Jason Vondersmith. He is also survived by his grandchildren Chris (Jeanne) Wood, Andy (Brinda) Wood, Erik, Sophie and Jake Auger, one great granddaughter Kaia Wood, his brother Doug (Geri) Vondersmith and numerous nieces and nephews.

Vondersmith was in the International Order of Redman in Ketchikan.

A celebration of life for Vondersmith was at Miller Woodlawn Funeral Home in Bremerton on Oct. 10. The family requests donations be made to the American Diabetes Association in lieu of flowers.