Obituary of Edna May Coltom

Edna May Creek Scott Coltom was born Nov. 13, 1913 in Elgin, Oregon and died Aug.2, 2008 in Olympia, Wa. Edna, along with her five siblings, Agnes, Roy, William, Nellie Anne and Lloydina were raised and attended schools in Walla Walla, Wa. Edna was widowed twice from her marriages to Cecil Scott and Carl Coltom both of Tacoma. Edna is survived by her sister Nellie Anne Smith, daughter Sharon Scott Wagar, two step daughters, Janice Coltom Reynolds, Carolyn Coltom Flacco and stepson Ron Coltom and their spouses. Also, 10 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild, and many nieces and nephews mostly located in the northwest. Edna's work career included accounting positions and Personnel Agency owner. Church affiliations: Trinity Lutheran, Parkland, United Methodist and Newbridge Community Church, Olympia. Memorial Service held Saturday Aug 16, 2008 12:00 Noon at Newbridge Church 812 Central S.E., Olympia, Wa. 98501. Main entrance on 10th and Central. Ph.360 486 9029. The family requests donations be sent to Newbridge Community Church Edna Coltom Youth Scholarship Fund. Edna, being the 3rd child after Agnes and Roy, was born to Lloyd and Nellie Creek November 13, 1913 in Elgin, Oregon. Their father Lloyd worked in the woods as a dangerous tree faller, and life was tough. Edna's mother Nellie, fearful forest fires would surround their cabin, complained to Lloyd who said, Nellie let's move! So move they did, to a new job and a new home in Walla Walla, WA. Soon 3 younger siblings William, Nellie Anne and Lloydina joined Edna. Edna loved school, and as a top student skipped 2nd and 6th grade. Although Edna suffered from migraine headaches, losing 2 years of school, she was able to graduate with her high school class in 1931, along with lifetime friend, Sibyl Oldridge. Edna and Sibyl were favorite singers, from childhood days at Marvin Methodist Church, singing duets around Walla Walla. After attending Whitman College for 1 year she married Cecil Scott, from Richland, Wa., on July 30, 1933. She met Cecil at age 16 while swiping watermelons, with Sibyl and other friends, from Sibyl's brother Frank's farm. They made sure Cecil's father, a Methodist minister, didn't hear or find out about that! After being married in Walla Walla, they lived in Parkland, Wa. where Cecil began his teaching career at Roy Elementary. Life was good, until Edna, a new bride of 6 weeks, was rushed to immediate surgery for a near fatal illness. She had a close call with death that night. Thankfully, her youth group from Walla Walla stayed up all night praying for her recovery. Lying in her hospital bed at death's door, an angel appeared hovering over her. Edna said she knew then, that God was with her, and had touched her. After 6 weeks in the hospital Edna, was able to leave and go home to recover. When Cecil accepted the position as school principal, they moved to Milton, Wa. Two years later, daughter Sharon Cecile Scott arrived on April 14, 1937. Then a new job opportunity came and Cecil accepted another principal position in the Walla Walla area. Edna was back singing, surrounded by her friends and family, and helping her sisters Agnes and Anne, manage the Veterans Hospital Canteen. Life was good. Then in 1943 Cecil suffered a severe heart attack and was not able to work. During this time Edna started and graduated, as an accountant, from Business College starting her 15-year employment with Preston Schaffer Milling Company. After Sharon married Jim Wagar in 1958, the lure of grandchildren brought Edna and Cecil back to Seattle in 1959. This recent move offered Edna the opportunity to use her entrepreneurial spirit by starting her own company, Key Personnel in the Northern Life Tower in Seattle. Cecil remained working as a principal in Federal Way. Life was good, but in 1971,Cecil passed away from a fatal heart attack. So Edna sold her agency, worked for the Federal Way school district, and remained in her Federal Way home she and Cecil built. Then in 1973 Carl Coltom walked into Edna's life. Edna knew Carl from the early PLU days, since Carl and Cecil were PLU graduates and fellow teachers in the Tacoma area. After courting for a few weeks, Carl and Edna were married on April 14, 1973, a special day since it was the birthdays of both Carl and Sharon. Carl and Edna remained in Federal Way for 2 years. After selling their home, they moved to Parkland, Wa. Edna and Carl had a great life together, loving to play golf, dance, play cards, work crossword puzzles, travel and enjoy their winters living at Desert Sands Golf and Country Club in Mesa, Arizona. After 10 years, deciding to downsize, they sold both homes and moved into an apartment in University Place. Edna and Carl after 18 years had quite a sizable family together. Between the 2 of them there are 4 children: Sharon, Ronald, Carolyn and Janice; also, 10 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild, along with many nieces and nephews. Life was good, but the bubble burst when Carl passed away in January 1991. After Carl's death, Edna filled her life with friends and family, including Frank and Alice Wicksten, Carl's brother and sister in law. Frank, after Alice's passing, moved from the bay area to Tacoma. Edna and Frank shared a special friendship until his death in 1998. Edna moved from University Place, to share a home in Olympia with her sister Nellie "Anne" until June 2004. Edna lived with Shari, Jim and Princess, their springer spaniel, for 3 years, before Edna moved into Olympics West Retirement Home for 14 months and Roolan nursing home for one week, until her death Aug.2, 2008. Edna was active in many fraternal organizations. She enjoyed gardening, and pulling weeds. Edna's sense of humor made people feel comfortable, and she always had a cute joke to share. The legacy Edna left to her family was her 80 knitted Christmas stockings, plus her many paintings and priceless antiques. Edna rarely met anyone she didn't like and who didn't like her. She became an instant friend to everyone. She did not know a stranger, always greeting them with her beautiful smile. We loved you Edna. You will be missed by all who knew and admired you. We will never forget you. Love, from y our FAMILY AND FRIENDS.