Obituary

Julie Ann (Nolder) Hammerquist passed away on January 7th, 2021 after a two year battle with ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). She was a two-year resident of Sandy Point in Ferndale, WA.

Born on April 28th, 1951 in Tacoma, WA to Robert P. Nolder and Velma Ann (Gast) Nolder, Julie and her brother Dennis lived most of their childhood on Day Island in Tacoma. Julie graduated from Curtis High School and Olympic Community College.

In December 1980, Julie met future husband Ken at a Seattle Tip Topper Club (a club for tall people) Christmas Party.  They married on the first day of spring, March 20th, 1982 and remained happily married for nearly 39 years.

Within a couple years, Julie began work on an associate degree in Interior Design, which she completed in 1986. She worked for the Callison Partnership as an architectural illustrator, working on Nordstrom stores and Carillon Point, among other projects.

An opportunity for Ken to work in Zurich, Switzerland presented itself in 1990. During their 2 1/2 years there, Julie mastered survival German!

Besides art, Julie’s passion was boating.  During their marriage, they owned 5 boats, each a bit larger than the previous one.  “Shortcake,” their last boat saw many adventures for over 20 years.  (Several times, Julie threatened Ken with divorce if he ever sold the boat…she had her priorities!) Many trips took them as far as the north end of Vancouver Island.

Julie was preceded in death by her mother, father and sister-in-law, Donna Herbert Nolder.  She is survived by her husband Ken, and brother, Dennis.  She also leaves behind brothers-in-law Alan (Nancy) Hammerquist, Greg (Jana) Hammerquist, and sister-in-law Karen (Ken) Gurnett, as well as 3 nieces, 2 nephews, and 2.5 grandnieces and nephews.

Due to the current Covid situation, there will not be a memorial at this time. With improving circumstances, one may be held this summer.

In lieu of flowers, donations to these organizations would be greatly appreciated: ALS-TDI, (website www.als.net), which focuses on the research to find a cure and the local ALS chapter (website webwa.alsa.org), which focuses on both research and patient support.