Thea H. Trask, 74, has gone to join the love of her life, late husband, Dell. Thea passed away suddenly Feb. 21, 2005, after a long and courageous battle with emphysema.

Born April 12, 1930, Thea was the daughter of two school teachers in the small town of Lelkendorf in northeast Germany.

At age 16, she escaped to the west during the Russian occupation, made her way to England, and finally to the United States aboard the Queen Mary.

She loved family, friends, Whidbey Island, knitting, crocheting, and anything outdoors. She was an avid fisherwoman and gardener.

She is survived by daughters Heidi (Steve) Miller, Lorelei Lemaire; and grandchildren Travis Miller, Carly Miller, and A. Adrian Lemaire Jr.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. March 12, 2005, at the Bayview Senior Center on Whidbey Island. Please send any memorial donations in lieu of flowers to the Bayview Senior Center or the American Lung Association.