Palmer Christian Molstad, 90, of Arlington, Wash., died of complications from pneumonia and a long life of hard work.
Palmer was born in Bryant, Wash., to Pedar and Christine Rollie Molstad on the family farm. He went to Bryant School and then Arlington High School where he had to drop out at the age of 16 to join the CCCs (Civilian Conservation Corps) to help the family during the depression.
He followed his father and older brothers into the logging camps in 1935. He was one of the first men from Arlington to be drafted in 1941. He married Agnes Bertina (Lien) in 1941 and left for the Army. He was discharged early to go home and support his family. He went to work in the ship-yards in Bremerton, Wash., where he was when the war broke out. He contracted asbestosis there which contributed to his death. He moved back to Arlington in 1943, where he worked in the woods until his retirement from Scott Paper.
Palmer loved working in the woods and on his little stump ranch on the Kackman road. He would drop everything to help his family and neighbors.
His wife died in 1973 and he remarried Garland Longlois Buchanan and adopted her family as his own. They spent many years camping and traveling with friends.
Palmer was a member of the Woodworkers Union. He served as a Precinct Committee officer for the Democratic Party for the Armstrong precinct.
He attended the Bryant Church.
He leaves his sons, Ivan (Marian), Melvin (Ann) and Garland Hardamon; his daughters, Christine Riker (Jim) Cochran and Denise Buchanan (Rob) Putnam; and daughter-in-law, Christine Hardamon; grandchildren, Jimmy, Kenny, Kelly, Steve, Dan, Victor, Cory, Michelle, Miki, Betty, Palmer, Joel, Matthew and Amanda, who were always there for grandpa; as well as many great-grandchildren. He leaves five sisters-in-law, Julie Lien, Gertrude Floe, Sally Lien, Agnes Molstad and Bernice Molstad.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and all of his siblings, Inor, Otto, Lilian Bruseth Husby and Henry.
Services will be held at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 2, 2007, at Victoria Chapel in Bryant. After the cremation Palmer will be inurned at the Loyal Heights Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Loyal Heights Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Weller Funeral Home.