Winston Okerlund

Winston Leroy Okerlund was born August 17th, 1938, in Anacortes, Washington to Marion and Kathleen Okerlund. He moved to the Walla Walla Valley in the early 1950s and attended Milton-Freewater schools, graduating from Mac Hi in 1956. He married Karen Beachman in 1960 and had three children with her, Shelley Okerlund , Scott Okerlund , and Lisa Chamberlin.

Winston worked for Bonneville Power, retiring as a senior dispatcher in 1995. The family moved often for his job, finally settling in Moses Lake for 10 years with Winston retiring in Vancouver, Wa. After Karen passed away in 1994, Winston moved back home to the Walla Walla Valley, where he met the other "Karen" of his life. He married Karen Sinclair in 1997 and added Karen's kids: Jodi Worden of Walla Walla and Aaron Huckstep of Walla Walla to the family.

Winston was the treasurer of the Walla Walla Prop Twisters and spent many happy hours flying model airplanes. All of the airplanes took off intact, many landed that way too. Winston also enjoyed time with "The Geezers" - a group of retired friends who got together regularly. He took enormous pride in supervising the pig roast at Wordenstock every year. In his healthier days he was an active member of Steppin' Country and loved to dance with his wife, daughter, and granddaughter. Winston enjoyed his role as the patriarch of his large clan of extended friends and family.

Winston is survived by his wife of 14 years, Karen Okerlund; his brother, Raymond Okerlund of Walla Walla, his children - Shelley Okerlund of Lake Forest Park, Washington; Scott Okerlund (and wife Karen)of Moses Lake, WA; Lisa Chamberlin (and husband Nick) of Chesapeake, VA; stepdaughter Jodi Worden (and husband Chris); and stepson Aaron Huckstep (and wife Carrie); 9 grandchildren, and one great granddaughter.

Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 18th, at the home of Chris and Jodi Worden, 399 Eagle Crest Drive, Walla Walla, WA at 2:00 pm. The family requests that contributions be made to a charity of your choice in lieu of flowers.