Obituary

Renie Peterson

Renie went home to be with her Lord and Savior on 8/28/2013. Born of Dutch descent to John (Jan) E. and Mary M. (Weeda) Sluys on January 6, 1927.

January 12, 1944, Renie married her teenage sweetheart, WWII Navy Torpedo Man 1st Class, Glenn H. Blakely, and they were blessed with 3 children; Sharon E. Blakely, Sandra L. Wiggins, and Steven L. Blakely.

Renie attended Mt. Baker High School her freshman year, and graduated from Bellingham High in 1944. She worked in the public, beginning at age 13, first at the old St. Josephs Hospital diet kitchen, then at various restaurants in Bellingham, ending that career with 10 years at the Bellingham Hotel Coffee Shop and Dining Room. During those years, Renie was a Campfire Girls and Bluebird Leader; also a Blossomtime Festival (now Ski to Sea) Queen Chaperone 2 years, and an advisor for 3. Renie was also a member of Bellingham Toastmasters, an avid bowler in the Ladies Major League, and a member of the Ramblers Club of America.

After graduating from Success Business College, Renie went to work as a legal secretary for Attorney Bill Durnan at the law offices of LeCocq, Simonarson & Durnan, Lynden, WA. Following that, she worked many years as an Editoral Secretary at Georgia-Pacific Corp., Bellingham.

In 1964, Renie met her soul-mate, Harold A. Bud Peterson, WWII Navy Veteran, and they were married in 1965. Bud preceded her in death in 1999. They shared a rich life of love and companionship with mutual interests; music, dancing, and traveling.

Renie wrote many poems and short stories that were published in national magazines. She also wrote and published a hard-bound book of satirical limericks with animated, captivating cartoons titled Life In The Ruff, which became a collectors item, and can be found in the Special Collections Department of the University of Washington, and Browns University Library in Rhode Island.

In 1970, Renie started a recording company, LPS Records, Inc., with her brother and sister-in-law, Marion and Loretta Sluys of Poulsbo, WA. Renie is also the owner of 3 publishing companies; Heartstone Music (BMI), Cherrystone Music (ASCAP), and Fourth Corner Music (SESAC). Over the years, Renie has been a professional award-winning songwriter, composing 300 or more songs, with 100 of those cut on vinyl and/or cassettes/CDs, and released to radio with much success.

In addition to her business adventures, Renies many interests in life included walking, gardening, cooking special dinners for her large family several times a year, traveling for both work and fun, boating/fishing on Bellingham Bay in her early years, and spending time with Bud and her family at their summer property in Arlington, WA.

Renie was a member of Calvary Temple, Bellingham (now King Mountain Church). She was always generous and giving to her family and others in need.

Preceding her in death were her parents and brother Charles. Survivors include her 3 children, Sharon E. Blakely and husband Clayton Beltz, Sandra L. Wiggins and husband Patrick Vollrath, and Steven L. Blakely and wife Kathy.
2 of Buds 3 children; Peggy (Dick) Reedy and Penny (Bruce) Stags; 12 grandchildren, numerous great grandchildren and brothers, Wesley Sluys, Marion (Loretta) Sluys, Arnie (Joyce) Sluys and half brother Albert (Mary) Sluys.

A celebration of Renies life will be held at Greenacres Memorial Park on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 1:00 PM. Please share your thoughts and memories of Renie at www.farewelltributes.com

Farewell Tribute Information

A celebration of Renies life will be held at Greenacres Memorial Park on Thursday, September 5, 2013 at 1:00 PM. Please share your thoughts and memories of Renie at www.farewelltributes.com