Elsie Beryl Mechals Anderson

She was born to Charles Frederick and Elsie Elena (Petit) Mechals, in Chinook, Washington on September 6th 1911. Elsie had five brothers; Joseph, Earl “Bud”, Charles, James and Donald and one sister, Lois.

The Mechals brothers and 3 nephews had their own basketball team and traveled around the area; they were considered to be very good. Athletics were in the family and running came naturally to Elsie. Frankie Plumb, a friend, also from Chinook, who was noted for being a very fast runner, would ask her to be his running partner because she could run so fast. Elsie loved sports of any kind; to watch, read about or listen to, including: basketball, football, baseball, golf, tennis and even the Iditarod. In later years, living in the Napa Valley, California, she would walk five miles a day in the early morning and sometimes walk another five miles in the evening.

Elsie (16yrs old) met Albin Gustav Anderson (27yrs old) on New Years Eve 1927 in Westport, Washington. They were married almost a year later on October 5th 1928 in Tacoma, Washington. They lived in Tokeland, Washington and a son Albin was born to them, July 12th 1930. They moved to Westport, Washington and a daughter Barbara Jean was born, July 4th 1934. (Albin “Junior or J.R.” passed away in Everett, Washington January of 2006.)

Elsie had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. She was also, a very industrious woman. She canned everything from vegetables, fruit, pickles, jams and jellies to every kind of fish and meats. Her pantry was beautiful with colorful jars of canned food. Her house and yard were at all times kept perfect, but she always had time for family and friends. She was a great cook and Albin would unexpectedly bring home any amount of guests, whom she would graciously entertain.

Albin was born March 25, 1900, a Swede from the Aland Islands, between Sweden and Finland, and became a naturalized citizen in 1925. He was a very successful, West Coast/Alaskan commercial fisherman. In 1948 Albin moved his family to Eureka, California, to continue commercial fishing with Lazio’s Fish Company.

Elsie and Albin made a life together for almost 66 years. Albin passed away on July 29th, 1994.

Elsie moved from Eureka, California to Everett, Washington in 1995, to be close to her daughter and other family members.

Elsie is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Barbara Jean (Anderson) and William “Pete” Hale; granddaughter Traci (Freeman) Lund and her husband, Luca and great grandson Alexander Lund; grandson Jeffrey Freeman, great granddaughter Danielle (Freeman) Gonzalez and her husband, Nathaniel and great-great grandson Jayden Gonzalez; her brothers, James Mechals, wife Lyola; Don Mechals, wife Maxine; many nieces, nephews, great and grand nieces and nephews and the Chinook Tribe.

Arrangements under the direction of Purdy & Walters with Cassidy Funeral Home, Everett, WA.