Lucy Ethel (Earl) Schilling

She was born March 20, 1926, in Mountain View, Alberta Canada, daughter of the late Samuel Henry and Laura Ellen (Prince) Earl.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents; Samuel Henry Earl, Laura Ellen (Prince) Earl; four brothers; Aubrey, Dale, Jared, DeVoe; and four sisters, Beth Hackney, Joy LeBaron, La Rue Kirkman, and Du Elle Lybbert.

She grew up on a small farm in Mountain View and like many young people in the post World War II period she left the farm and went to Calgary, the big city, to further her education. Careers for women at that time were primarily limited to teaching school, nursing or doing secretarial or bookkeeping work. She studied business and secretarial subjects in school and found her niche as secretary of a flying club near Calgary. There she learned to fly and became one of the few select women bold enough to brave the male dominated world of aviation and become a licensed pilot.

Ethel met the love of her life, Hank Schilling, when he came to rent an airplane from the club. He liked what he saw and liked the airplanes too since he returned repeatedly for more flying time. She liked what she saw and they developed a friendship which grew into love as they flew together and had aviation adventures.

After they were married, she and Hank immigrated to the United States and started a family. In her years as a young mother, her time was spent raising five children and serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in many leadership positions. She and Hank continued to have adventures over the years as they expanded their family. He started a career with United Airlines which took the family from Seattle, to Chicago, to San Francisco and eventually after retirement back to Seattle.

After her children were grown, she spent her time as a friend and confidant to her extended family, grandchildren, great grand children and a wide circle of friends. Ethel spent countless hours doing family history research and served many years as as volunteer in the LDS Seattle Temple. She loved her family and her greatest joy was to be with them.

Ethel is survived by her husband, Henry A. (Hank) Schilling; two sons, Gordon Schilling, Jerreld (Jerry) Schilling and three daughters, Karilee Witting, Wendy Sorensen, Laurie Tygerson; a Daughter-in-law, Kathleen Schilling; Sons-in-Law Ned Witting, Philip Sorensen, Richard Tygerson; fourteen grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She also leaves many other family members and friends who will miss her.

Private family services were held using Zoom to respect the social distancing required due to the Covid-19 pandemic and were conducted by Bishop Gordon Nishimoto of the Harbor Point Washington Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Burial followed at the Floral Hills Cemetery in Lynnwood, Washington.