Obituary

Edith (Peggy) Kline was born on November 2nd, 1922 to Florence and Harvey Pike. She was the 4th child of 6 children. She and her siblings grew up in Everson on the family farm. She got the name Peggy from her older brothers who would call her “tag-along” because she was always following them around. Her father warned them that nicknames could stick so they changed it to “Peg-along,” and then became Peggy. One of her favorite things growing up was the baseball games her and her brothers played with their father every night after dinner and as an adult she became an avid Mariners fan. One of her least favorite things was her mom making her dry the dishes when she came back inside. Walking home from school, she would stop by her aunt’s Edie’s house. Aunt Edie was her favorite aunt because she always had lemonade in the summer and hot cocoa in the winter.

On September 26th, 1944, Peggy Pike was married to James (Jim) Kline. They met while she was walking along the road with her best friend Vie, when Jim drives by, pulls over and offers Peggy a ride. She and Jim went onto to having four kids in 4 and ½ years. They spent the first 14 years in Everson by the Pike family farm. During that time, Jim and Peggy had 22 nieces and nephews that lived within a half mile of their home.

In 1960, the Kline family moved to Oregon, just outside of Cottage Grove in a small community called London. Peggy loved their house and property in Oregon. When they moved back to Whatcom County in 1967, she was happy to be closer to her family, but she always missed her home there.

They bought their house in Lynden for $6000 cash in 1967, which was the same year their first grandchild was born and more soon followed. Over the next 50 years, this house was often filled with the sound of children’s laughter as Grandma and Grandpa’s home was always a treasured haven for their grandchildren. They all knew that they were deeply loved there and the cookie jar was never empty. Jim and Peggy thought they had the best and most beautiful grandchildren, then even more so when the great grandchildren came along. Peggy was over the moon happy when she became a great great grandmother 3 times over in the last 3 and ½ years. Grandma always knew that it was a grandmother’s prerogative to spoil her grandchildren and she was the best at it. All her grandchildren are better, stronger and kinder from being so spoiled.

She had a knack for sewing and made many clothes for her children and grandchildren. As her grandchildren grew she turned her attention to quilts. Each grandchild got a quilt as a wedding present and each great grandchild got a baby quilt at birth. She also enjoyed walking. Her grandchildren remember many walks to downtown or to a park. It was good she enjoyed walking as she never got her driver’s license. She always said she got around fine without it. She loved putting together puzzles and playing Farkle with family, though she preferred to call it “sparkle.” Her favorite late night snack was half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and a glass of milk. She thought it was the best food for a good night’s sleep.

She passed away in her home, her favorite place on earth, on May 2, 2017, at the age of 94. Family surrounded her with love and laughter in her last days as they came together to say goodbye and to return the loving care she had given them for so many years. She is preceded in death by her husband, James Kline and one grandchild, Tim Kline, by her siblings, Toots Vavra, Frank, Ken, Rawl and Ted Pike. She is survived by her children, Diane (Bill), Dave (Melanie), Don (Brenda), Dorothy, her many grandchildren and great grandchildren, including 3 great great grandchildren. Graveside service will be at Greenacres in Ferndale, Saturday, May 6th at 2:00pm, reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers you may donate to Skookum Kids of Bellingham, WA, Ronald McDonald House, or Hospice of Whatcom County.