Valere (Val) Thomas Goemaere Obituary (1917 - 2016)

Valere "Val" Thomas Goemaere Val Goemaere died peacefully with family at his side on Feb. 20, 2016, at Cristwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Shoreline. Val was born in the family home in Seattle on May 31, 1917 and, when WWII began, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served at sea in the Aleutian Islands and shore-side in Pasco, WA. He had previously started a trucking business and leased the equipment to the Boeing Company for the duration of the war. The return of peacetime enabled him to expand this business with the purchase of more equipment and a common carrier permit. This became Western Tank Lines, Inc., of which he was President until the business was sold in the 1970's. Retirement enabled Val to expand his real passion of farming. He loved raising cattle at the home in Bothell and Ellensburg, and crops in the Columbia Basin at George, WA. During his final quarter century of being a gentleman farmer, Val developed great respect and admiration for those who ranched and farmed for a living. Except for the home property, he wisely leased the land to others. Val was preceded in death by Ivene, his wife of sixty-three years; and his parents, Lucy and Desire Goemaere. He is survived by his children, Sherre (Robert) Clerf of Ellensburg; Gary Yonaka (Agnes O'Connor) of Snohomish; and his three sisters, Mary Burgelhaus, Agnes Olseene and Eileen Torrance. He will be greatly missed by his six grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, March 2, at 11:30 am St. Elizabeth Ann Seaton Catholic Church 2316 180th St. SE, Bothell, WA 98012 Reception to follow in the parish fellowship hall. Val and his family would be delighted that donations be made to a charity of your choice. Hoffner Fisher & Harvey Guestbook at harveyfuneral.com To send a flower arrangement in memory of Valere (Val) Thomas Goemaere, please click here to visit our sympathy store.