Ila Alene Sutherland

Longtime Bainbridge Island resident Ila Alene Sutherland, age 84, died Oct. 25 at Island Health and Rehabilitation.

She was born Feb. 23, 1919, in Cottonwood, S.D. to Otto and Clara (Enger) Schulze. She attended school in Piedmont, S.D., and in 1934 married Maxwell Sutherland in Custer, S.D.

In 1943, they moved to Bainbridge Island, where Ila devoted her time to her raising her family. She began work in 1953 for Washington State Ferries as a cook on the Seattle-Bainbridge Island run, and worked there until retiring in 1981 after 28 years of service.

She enjoyed knitting, travel, square dance and family get-togethers. Carrying a deck of cards with her at all times, she was assured that not a day went by that she didn’t play cards.

She is survived by five sons: Gary Sutherland, Roswell, N.M.; Richard Sutherland, Bainbridge Island; Michael Sutherland, Port Orchard; Tom Sutherland, Clarkston, Wash.; Paul Sutherland, Bainbridge Island; five daughters, Carol Wiggins, Sandra Gronley, Kay Perlatti, all of Bainbridge Island; Paula Varon, Mountlake Terrace, Wash.; Janice Staymates, Yakima; two brothers, Grant Schulze, Poulsbo; Orville Schulze, Coos Bay, Ore.; one sister, Lucille Schulze, Rapid City, S.D.; and 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 29 at Island Center Cemetery on Bainbridge Island. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to a favorite charity.

Arrangements are under the direction of Kass Funeral Home.