Ralph Tolonen, 83

Former Poulsbo resident Ralph Leonard Tolonen died Aug. 31, 2006 in Seattle. He was 83.

Tolonen was born in Wilbur on Dec. 2, 1922 and moved to Poulsbo in 1924 to live with his grandparents, Matt and Maria Tolonen.

He married Inga “Jimmie” Husby in 1963.

Tolonen attended Poulsbo Union Grade School through second grade before moving to Almira where he graduated from Almira High School in 1942.

He worked as an upholstery apprentice for two years before spending two years at the Keyport Torpedo Station. After leaving Keyport, he operated an upholstery shop on Fjord Avenue for 48 years. He also worked for the U.S. Postal Service in Poulsbo and fished commercially.

Tolonen served in the Navy during World War II from 1943-46 and served in the National Guard in Poulsbo from 1951-54.

For 20 years he volunteered as an American Legion Ambulance driver and was a member of its board. He was also a member of the Poulsbo Library Board, past president of Poulsbo’s American Legion post and a life member of the VFW.

He enjoyed fishing, crabbing and clam digging, as well as gardening and rock hounding.

Tolonen is survived by step-son Larry Husby of Seattle; step-daughter Ginny Casal of Seattle; and brothers Duane Tolonen of Seattle and John “Ken” Tolonen of Yakima.

Tolonen was preceded in death by his wife Inga “Jimmie” Husby in 1997.

Services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 14 at The Stone Chapel in Poulsbo.

Memorial gifts may be sent to Cardiology Division, University of Washington Foundation, 1325 4th Ave., Suite 2000, Seattle, WA 98101 or another charity of your choice.