Alf R. Edman Obituary (1918

Alf Roland Edman passed away on May 10, 2015, at the age of 97. He was born on February 7th, 1918, in Franklin, Washington, to Nels Johan and Amanda Matilda Edman, Swedish immigrants. Nels was a coal miner in the Black Diamond area. Alf was the youngest of their five sons. A sister, Elsa, died when she was a young child before Alf was born. As an infant, Alf survived the Swine Flu epidemic of 1918. When the coal mine shut down, the family moved to a farm in Enumclaw. The farm boasted a beautiful large barn, but the house was 24' X 24' with no indoor plumbing. Their small house was filled with laughter. No one loved a "dumb Swede" joke more than the five Edman boys. Alf graduated from Enumclaw High School in 1936. In 1938, he worked for the Alaska Railroad as a laborer earning 64 cents per hour. Alf went to work in Shop 68 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in 1942. He served in the US Army Air Force as a radio operator during World War II, and was also recalled to serve during the Korean War. He was a Planner and Estimator at PSNS at the time of his retirement in 1973. As a master woodworker, Alf used those skills in retirement to repair and restore many pieces of antique furniture. Alf met "his girl", Frances Eileen Branson, while both were working in the Shipyard. They were married on June 30, 1945, in Meadowlands, Minnesota, her home town. After returning from WW II, Alf and Eileen settled in the Waterman area to raise three children, Carey, Mark and Evanne. The family moved to Bremerton in the late 50's. Over a period of several years, Alf and Eileen built a new home in the Manette neighborhood where they resided until his death. They were married just shy of 70 years. After a visit, as you left their home, Alf would always say, "Roodle-ee-doo," the origin of which remains unknown. Alf is survived by his wife, Frances Eileen, daughter Carey Ensign (Tim) of Port Orchard, son Mark Edman (Margo) of Lynnwood, and daughter Evanne Howard (Chuck) of Olympia. Also grandchildren, Shay Ensign Najera, Bo Ensign (Jennifer), Amanda Root Heye (Jason), Andrew Root; great grandchildren, Ciara and Fiona Najera, Miles and Stella Ensign; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Erik, Thor, Mauritz, and Ivar. He will be remembered by his family and friends as a kind and generous man, and wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Roodle-ee-doo, Dad, you are missed. There will be an informal gathering of friends and family to celebrate the life of Alf Edman on July 20, 4-6:00 p.m., at the home of Carey & Tim Ensign. Please RSVP to 360-871-3127 or 360-731-8890. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Memorial Lutheran Church, 10th & Veneta, Bremerton.